The Battle of Hastings and Battle Abbey
The Battle of Hastings was fought here on 14 October 1066. It is the most famous battle on English soil and its outcome had a profound impact on the history of England.
William the Conqueror's victory over Harold Godwinson marked the end of Anglo-Saxon England. The Norman Conquest introduced a new ruling class in church and state, new landowners, laws and architecture.
In 1070 Battle Abbey was founded here to commemorate the Norman victory, and as an act of penance for the bloodshed of the conquest of England. Over the following centuries the abbey became rich and important and a town sprang up around it. After the Dissolution of 1538 it was turned into a country estate. It remained in private hands until 1976, when it was acquired for the nation. Today parts of the abbey are used as a school.
In the visitor centre you can find out about the dramatic end of Anglo-Saxon England and the Battle of Hastings. You can then walk over the battlefield tracing the course of the battle before seeing the ruins of Battle Abbey. End your visit by looking inside the gatehouse at the museum full of finds from the abbey and the later country estate.
1   Entrance, tickets and shop
2   Visitor Centre and '1066: the Battle for England' exhibition
3  



Gatehouse museum and discovery centre
4   Undercrofts
5   Latrine block
6   Dormitory range with novices' chamber and common room
7   Crypt
8   Site of abbey church and high altar
9   Cloister
10   Abbot's great hall
11   Precinct wall
12   Dairy and icehouse
13   Walled garden
· Restaurant
· Light lunches and refreshments
· Licensed
· Toilets
· Car park
· Picnic area
Routes including information panels and audio tours:
Battlefield walk full tour   30-40 minutes over variable terrain
Battlefield walk short tour   15-20 minutes
Easy route (some steps)   30-40 minutes
Wheelchair route

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Great Gatehouse
Battle town and the abbey's estates
On the very spot
The Great Gatehouse
William the Conqueror Trail
The Outer Court
The Cloister
The 11th-century Church
The First Norman Attack
The Chapter House

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