1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield

High Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AD

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Add 1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield to your Itinerary

From £8.50
Battle Abbey viewed from Abbey Green

About

Visit the site of one of the most famous battles in England's history – the 1066 Battle of Hastings, and discover the fascinating story of events behind that historic date.

Explore the award-winning exhibition which brings alive the dramatic story of the Norman Conquest and its significance in the tumultuous history of England. End your day by relaxing in the cafe. The annual re-enactment of 1066 Battle of Hastings takes place every year during October. Days out worth talking about!

The Abbey takes its name from the town and was founded to commemorate the bloody battle that saw William the Conqueror assume control of England in 1066.

The high altar of the abbey church was reputedly on the spot where Harold died and is now marked by a special commemorative stone.  Little remains of the original abbey buildings but its impressive gateway dominates the south end of Battle High Street.

The remaining cloisters, part of the west range, were leased to Battle Abbey School shortly after the first world war, and the school remains in occupancy to this day.  Although referred to as 'Battle Abbey', it is actually named 'St Martin's Abbey'.

The Abbey was founded as a result of a vow made by William in an Abbey at St Valerie Sur Somme, before the sea crossing, in which he promised to establish a monastery free of episcopal control if God granted him victory.  The Chronicles of Battel Abbey, which dates from around 1180, state it was "founded by the Conqueror in expiation for the sin involved in the conquest".

When William died, he left many gifts to the Abbey which included his royal cloak and a portable altar used on his campaigns.  William had endowed the Abbey to such an extent that it became the 15th wealthiest religious house in the country.  However the twin terrors of repeated French raids and the Black Death had a lasting impact on the abbey and drastically affected its population and income.

Subsequent centuries saw the Abbey grow in status and wealth thanks to the Abbots' careful management of its resources. The Abbey now has a new visitor centre with some incredible interactive displays.  There's also acafé with wonderful views of the battlefield and a host of innovative new features throughout the attraction.

Things to do in Battle

There's plenty more to Battle than the battlefield – don't miss a visit to its bustling high street, independent shops, quirky museum and tranquil gardens. Find out more about things to do in Battle, as well as what's on in Battle.

Accommodation

Fancy making a weekend of it? You'll be spoilt for choice of where to stay in Battle, and there are lots of delicious options for food and drink in Battle too.

 

 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult ticket£14.20 per ticket
Concession ticket£12.80 per ticket
Aged 5-15£8.50 per ticket
Family ticket 1 + 3£22.70 per ticket
Family ticket 2 + 3£36.90 per ticket

Prices include donation. Free entry for children under five years old.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      1243
    • Very Good
      726
    • Average
      140
    • Poor
      39
    • Terrible
      19

    Recent Reviews:

    • icecreaminthesand
      Devon, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Great place
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 31st August 2023
      Pre-booked tickets as EH members. Borrowed a tramper from the site. The tramper was offered by staff, which was thoughtful and kind. Heard there were some summer holiday shenanigans going on. We... Read full review
    • LaNyonsaise
      West Midlands, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      Limited parking.
      4 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 9th September 2023
      The abbey is in the centre of this small, historic town with limited car parking and we struggled to locate a space alongside many others who were cruising around. Once divested of the car (£4 for 6... Read full review
    • IanJoan44
      Crawley
      Disappointing that audio guides weren't working properly and parking is limited.
      3 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 9th September 2023
      Car parking is very limited and we had difficulty parking at 10.45am. The introductory film is excellent. We opted not to do one of the guided tours but to use an audio guide so that we could go... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Road Directions

    Nearest major road is A21. A21, from London then follow the A2100 to Battle. Located at the south end of Battle High Street.

    Public Transport Directions

    Nearest station is Battle. Signposted.

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Loop system for audio guides
    • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors - Braille and audio guide
    • Guide Dogs Permitted
    • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
    • Ramp/Level Access

    Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages

    • French audio guide
    • German audio guide
    • Japanese audio guide

    Catering

    • On-Site cafe/restaurant - Soft drinks, biscuits and ice-cream.
    • Picnic Site

    Establishment Features

    • Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages
    • Printed Material in Foreign Languages
    • Toilets

    Parking & Transport

    • On site parking
    • Parking (charge)

    Printed Material in Foreign Languages

    • French printed material
    • German printed material

    Provider Preferences

    • In town/city centre
    • Indoor Attraction
    • Outdoor Attraction

    Specialist Features

    • Marketed Towards Families

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Educational Visits Accepted
    • Guided Tours Available for Groups

    Opening Times

    Open New Year
    Winter season (1 Nov 2023 - 13 Feb 2024)
    DayTimes
    Wednesday - FridayClosed
    Saturday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00
    February Half Term (14 Feb 2024 - 20 Feb 2024)
    DayTimes
    Spring season (21 Feb 2024 - 31 Mar 2024)
    DayTimes
    Monday - TuesdayClosed
    Wednesday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00

    * Open Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Last entry one hour before closing.

    Events

    Saturday, 14th October 2023 - Sunday, 15th October 2023

    Coming from the right of the screen, knights in armour charging on horseback, green field in background and to left.The Battle of Hastings Re-enactment 2023The one and only Battle of Hastings re-enactment takes place on the very spot where King Harold and Duke William fought in 1066. Don't miss 500 reenactors recreate the drama and intensity of this legendary conflict.
    more info

    Saturday, 21st October 2023 - Sunday, 29th October 2023

    Poster for Halloween half term. Shows illustration graphics of children in halloween costumes and a spooky house.Halloween Half Term at Battle AbbeyGrab your broomsticks and get ready for a bewitchingly brilliant day out.
    more info

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021
    • Tourism South East Award -Tourism South East Member 23/24 - Platinum Tourism South East Member 23/24 - Platinum 2023

    What's Nearby

    1. The East Sussex towns of Battle, Bexhill and Hastings will forever be remembered…

      0.02 miles away
    2. Battle's Grade I Listed church of national historic importance, with a thriving community.

      0.1 miles away
    3. Find out about this remarkable three-metre tapestry at St Mary's Church.

      0.1 miles away
    1. Surrounding the Battle Museum of Local History and the Almonry House itself, these…

      0.26 miles away
    2. Experience the hidden history of Battle as revealed by its residents.

      0.29 miles away
    3. Special displays of Battle's industries over the centuries including the famous gunpowder…

      0.31 miles away
    4. Pick your own wildly beautiful blooms at Foxlight Flower Farm.

      2.7 miles away
    5. David & Linda Carr Taylor established the vineyard, in the picturesque Sussex countryside…

      3.28 miles away
    6. England's oldest organic vineyard, established in 1979. A woodland nature trail forms…

      3.34 miles away
    7. The Giants of Brede. Varied collection of water pumps mainly from the steam era including…

      4.28 miles away
    8. Brede High Woods is the Trust’s largest ancient woodland, six miles north of Hastings in…

      4.46 miles away
    9. This picturesque area of Bexhill is home to some fine examples of Georgian architecture…

      4.8 miles away
    10. Take a trip around the picturesque Manor Gardens, with wonderfully colourful plants and…

      4.8 miles away
    11. The Combe Valley Countryside Park covers approximately 2.3 square miles (about…

      4.86 miles away
    12. Set in the Sussex in countryside in a village called Brightling, these bizarre structures…

      5.24 miles away
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