1066 Battle Of Hastings, Abbey and

About

1066 is the year the Normans defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings. Visit the site of this momentous event and Battle Abbey, which was founded by William the Conqueror as penance for the bloodshed and as a memorial for the dead. Here, on the site of its high altar, you can stand at the very spot where King Harold of England fell.

An imaginative exhibition brings the background and impact of this renowned conflict to life, with interactive displays drawing a vivid picture from both English and Norman viewpoints. Listening points, graphic presentations, hands-on exhibits and touch-screen displays explore how life was on both sides of the battlefield. They also illustrate the impact this pivotal battle had on shaping English history.

Visit the monastic buildings which grew up around the battlefield as a result of its status as a symbol of Norman triumph. These include the impressive Great Gatehouse which is among the finest surviving monastic entrances in Britain.

The abbey museum explores the history of the abbey and includes artefacts found on site during excavations. Complete your visit with a cup of tea in the stylish Cafe, which provides wonderful views of the historic gatehouse.

This single storey stone-built former gatehouse has been turned into a holiday cottage with something of a Hansel and Gretel feel about it, with partly leaded glass windows and an enclosed and secluded garden.