Battle: the back story

About Battle: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

On 14 October 1066 Harold’s army met William of Normandy’s where Battle now stands. The abbey that William founded marks the place, and the market town grew up alongside the battlefield and its ancient woodland, largely unchanged to this day.

Stand at Battle Abbey and look out over the field below: this is where the course of English history turned in a single day.

14 October 1066

The Battle of Hastings, the most famous conflict on English soil, was fought here on 14 October 1066, between the English army of King Harold and the Normans of Duke William.

Check opening times and trains on the official sites before you travel.

The abbey

After his victory William founded an abbey on the battlefield. Its ruins, gatehouse and the battlefield itself are cared for by English Heritage, with a walk round the field where the armies met.

The town at the gate

The compact market town grew up alongside the battleground and the abbey, among ancient woodland. It keeps its bonfire celebrations, re-enactments of the battle and an annual festival of contemporary arts, theatre and music.

Practical notes

Regular trains run from London Charing Cross and London Bridge to Battle, and on to Hastings and Bexhill. Check English Heritage’s site for the abbey’s opening times and re-enactment dates.

Our advice: walk the battlefield first thing, then explore the abbey and the High Street, and stay at Powdermills or the Abbey Hotel to see the town after the visitors have gone.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Battle: the back story before you go.