Battle Abbey
The town of Battle, six miles inland of Hastings in East Sussex, occupies the site of the most famous battle in British history, the Battle of Hastings.
On this site, on October 14, 1066, King Harold was defeated by William the Conqueror. It would be the last ever successful invasion of Britain.
Today the 1066 Battlefield is managed by English Heritage.
Battle Abbey
The magnificent structure of Battle Abbey was built by William on the very spot where Harold met his death.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, the land was given to King Henry VIII’s friend, Sir Anthony Browne, who knocked down the abbey and converted the abbot’s lodging into a fine manor house.
All that remains of Battle Abbey is its outline.
The impressive 1330s gatehouse houses an exhibition examining the important stories of the abbey in the years after 1066.
Upstairs, a stunning panoramic view out across the town and the 1066 landscape is available from the rooftop viewing platform.
Walking
Entering at the abbey gatehouse, you can pick up an audio tour. You can choose between a shorter route along the terrace which provides views out over the battlefield landscape.
Or you can follow the full course of the battle which winds on a well-drained path round the battlefield.
We enjoyed a 4,5-mile circular walk taking in Battle Great Wood, Battle Abbey and the 1066 Battlefield, and Battle Museum.
A generally easy walk through woodland with no stiles and some hilly sections.
1066 Country Walk
If you would like to explore the stunning countryside of the High Weald AONB, then you should take on the 1066 Country Walk.
This 31-mile route follows the footsteps of the Norman invaders, starting at Pevensey, passing through Battle and ending at Rye.
The waymarked route takes you through beautiful villages and quiet countryside, and also passes by Hertsmonceux Castle and Winchelsea.
High Weald AONB
The High Weald in Kent and Sussex has an amazing network of footpaths, bridleways and byways (2,395km!).
Explore the High Weald’s unique landscape on self-guided walks, nature trails, or on long-distance routes like the High Weald Landscape Trail.
Cool Places to Explore: Bateman’s | Great Dixter House & Garden | Bodiam Castle | Hastings | Winchelsea | Rye.
Cool Places to Stay: Knelle Dower B&B.