Venue Description

1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield was the scene of England's most renowned and crucial battle. Alongside the battlefield you can also explore abbey ruins and the intriguing traces of a country house, as well as interactive displays in the beautiful abbey gatehouse. An all-round great experience, this vast and varied site provides a unique day out for the whole family. Its history began on the fateful 14th of October 1066, when after many hours of hard fighting William the Conqueror's Norman invaders finally defeated King Harold Godwinson's English army in this very place. You can discover the dramatic story of the epic conflict between King Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror's Norman invaders that took place on the 14th of October 1066. The visitor centre features a host of interactives, displays of Norman and Anglo-Saxon weaponry, and a compelling film which recount the background to the battle, the fighting, and how the Norman victory transformed the nation's history. Accompanied by an audio tour, you can see the slope where the Norman army advanced against the hilltop English shield wall and stand by the spot where Harold Godwinson was killed, changing the course of English History. On the Parkland Walk, there are dramatic wooden figures including a Norman mounted knight and archer as well as a Saxon axeman and standard bearer. All around are the ruins of Battle Abbey, the great monastery William founded as a penance for the terrible bloodshed of the battle and a memorial to the dead. Explore the great dormitory range with its atmospheric pillared and vaulted undercrofts. The medieval abbey's enormous wealth and influence, are symbolised by the Great Gatehouse built in about 1338. You can climb to its rooftop for astonishing views and learn about the lives of the abbey's monks in the recreated gatehouse chambers. You can listen to monastic music and see finds and replicas from the abbey's heyday. After its closure by Henry VIII, the abbey became a grand country house. In the extensive grounds are a thatched ornamental Regency dairy, an underground icehouse, and the Duchess of Cleveland's tranquil, hidden Walled Garden, now replanted with local species of fruit trees and equipped with beehives. There is a large café with a selection of food and drinks to cater for all. There is indoor and outdoor seating near the children's playground. You can pick up a unique souvenir from our gift shop.

Accessibility

There are steps at the main entrance so please ring the marked buzzer at the bottom of the steps, a member of the team will be able to show you to an alternative step-free entrance. Battle Abbey has extensive grounds. A complete circuit of the abbey ruins is approximately 1.2 km. Mobility scooters are welcome and we have 3 mobility scooters and a heavy-duty wheelchair to borrow. These are available on a first-come-first-served basis, please ask a member of staff when you arrive. Most of the grounds, including the abbey ruins, Harold Stone, terrace walk, dormitory range and walled garden, are accessed along flat gravel paths. There is one steep slope along the route. Where there are steps on the main visitor route, alternative step-free routes are available. These are marked on the map that is available at the entrance or ask just one of the team. Benches are located along the whole visitor route. The 1 km Parkland Walk features woodchip pathways, steps, grass, and steep slopes. There are life-sized wooden statues of Norman and Saxon warriors along the route. You can pick up a children’s trail to spot the carved figures when you get your tickets. If you are unable to access the path, dramatic views of the parkland are available from the terrace walk. The modern Visitor Centre is fully accessible with wide doorways and push button access. There are two floors with a lift between them. Visitor toilets including 1 accessible toilet are on the upper floor. The café is also located in the Visitor Centre. It serves a range of tasty snacks and light meals including homemade scones and our Saxon cakes made using a medieval recipe. We have a wide selection of vegan and gluten-free options, and alternative milks. Please speak to the team for more information about the day's offer or if you have any allergies. The lower floor of the Visitor Centre has an exhibition all about the 1066 Battle of Hastings. There are interactive displays, panels to read and replica Norman and Saxon weapons and armour to handle. There is a 10-minute film about the battle which has subtitles and spaces for wheelchairs. Near the café is a large picnic area with wheelchair-accessible tables. The imaginative children's play area nearby is inspired by the site's history. It features timber play equipment to climb and swing on and sensory items to hear and touch. The spectacular medieval monk's dormitory range has steps to access the different levels and the floors are uneven in places. The upper part of the undercroft is accessible via a wooden ramp. The Great Gatehouse has exhibitions on the first and second floors and the rooftop viewing platform has spectacular vistas of the local area. Unfortunately, this 600-year-old building has very worn uneven steps and the upper floors can only be reached by narrow spiral staircases. If you can't manage the stairs, a free booklet with all the information displayed in the exhibition is available in the shop, just ask the team.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/plan-your-visit/access/

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/plan-your-visit/access/

Accessible Performances

Battle Abbey has a range of events every year from have-a-go children's activities to the massive Battle of Hastings Re-Enactment every October. Detiails are availible on our website. Facilities to make the events as accessible as possible vary according to the event, for example, the Battle of Hastings Re-Enactment includes an accessible viewing area next to the main arena and British Sign Language interpretation. Please contact us directly for more information about a specific event.

Awards List

Battle Abbey part of English Heritage. Annual membership allows you to enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historic sites across the country. Live and breathe the story of England at royal castles, historic gardens, forts & defences, world-famous prehistoric sites and many others. Starting from £57 a year, it includes free entry for up to six children. Carers go free.

Toilets

Battle Abbey has 1 accessible toilet located in the Visitor Centre near to the café and exhibition spaces. The toilet has step free-access, wide enough for manual or powered wheelchairs. There are grab rails and easy turn locks and taps.

Staff

The staff and volunteers at Battle Abbey are on hand to assist you with your visit. Along with their detailed knowledge of the site, they have had accessibility training on the features that will allow you to make the most of your visit. Please ask if you need any help.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Assistance dogs are very welcome. Unfortunately, there are no areas of the site to exercise dogs off the lead.

Other assistance dog facilities

We have water bowls for dogs outside the shop and café. Dog waste can be put into general waste bins.