It’s been a while since we had some time away exploring new places but this weekend we left London to explore 1066 country. My son has been studying 1066 and the Battle of Hastings so we thought it would be fun to go and see the site where the Battle of Hastings took place and explore the surrounding area too.

Exploring 1066 country and Battle Abbey

Battle Abbey is owned by English Heritage and I decided to book our tickets online before we went. Our tickets covered the battlefield site and the ruins of the partially ruined Benedictine abbey in Battle which was built on the site and dedicated to St Martin of Tours.

Battle is a pretty medieval village built around the outside of Battle Abbey. There is a large car park just outside the walls where you can park all day (for a fee). We entered via the gatehouse of the Abbey and walked through into the Abbey which contains a school alongside the historic remains.

Our first stop was to walk around the site where the Battle of Hastings took place. It was on a steep hill, only terraced in 1070 when the Abbey was built over the site with Harold was killed. The children enjoyed walking the site, spotting the carved wooden Norman and Saxon soldiers, and seeing where different parts of the battle took place.

Our walk round the site of the battle took us up to Battle Abbey, established as penance for the deaths of so many during the Conquest.

The ruins are really impressive and there was lots to see. We had amazing weather which meant we could see for miles around. We especially loved the view from the top of the monastic dormitory.

We also loved the vaulted rooms beneath.

Then it was on to exhibitions in the gatehouse to learn more about the site, and climb onto the room for more amazing views. The kids enjoyed trying on armour!