Battle Abbey and 1066 Battle of Hastings Battlefield

Battle Abbey and 1066 Battle of Hastings Battlefield for a fantastic family day out!

The exhibitions and the interactive displays bring the battle to life and give you a vivid idea of what happened in England at the time of the conquest.  There is an audio tour which is complete with battle sounds and voices to create the atmosphere of this epic war as you roam the abbey ruins and stand where King Harold died.

The Battle of Hastings took place in October 1066.  Duke William of Normandy defeated the British King Harold, and it is known as the most famous battle ever fought in the country.

William of Normandy was then crowned King William I, which meant the end of Anglo-Saxon England!  This marked the advent of Common Law in England, which still affects us today 1000 years later.

The abbey was built in 1070 by King William, then known as ‘the conqueror’. It was a symbol of his victory and served as a memorial to the dead, whose corpses covered over 100 acres of the battle site. Today, it stands as a symbol of Norman triumph over England, and it is said that the high altar in the church stands on the spot where King Harold died.

Abbey museum explores the abbey’s history and contains a selection of historical items found during excavations. Children will also enjoy the Discovery Centre, which is open on weekends during the season and throughout the school holidays.

• Parking (charged)
• Cafe
• Picnic area
• Shop
• Toilets
• Disabled access
• Dogs on leads
• Museum
• Gardens
• Audio Tours (foreign language)
• Family Friendly
• Baby change
• Bottle and food warmers
• Play areas
• Pushchairs allowed

See the 1066: The Battle for England exhibition.