1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

About the museum

The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066, when the Norman army of William of Normandy defeated King Harold of England. Soon afterwards William founded an abbey on the spot where Harold is said to have died, as penance for the bloodshed of the conquest. The ground of the battle has survived largely because of this foundation.

The abbey was a Benedictine monastery for more than 400 years, and its buildings grew from the 11th century onwards. The monastery was closed in 1538, and the abbot's lodging was turned into a grand country house. Family portraits in the house tell a later and less well-known part of the site's story, and a large historical pageant was staged in the grounds in 1932.

Today English Heritage looks after the site. Visitors can walk among the abbey ruins, including the 13th-century vaulted dormitory range, climb to the roof of the great gatehouse for views over the town, and follow an audio-guided route around the battlefield. A visitor centre explains England before 1066 with a film, interactive displays and replica armour and weapons.

Highlights

• Audio-guided walk around the 1066 battlefield
• Visitor centre exhibition on England before the Norman Conquest
• Gatehouse exhibition with views over the town
• Abbey ruins and 13th-century vaulted dormitory range
• Wood-carved sculpture trail and natural play area

Permanent exhibitions

• Visitor centre exhibition – A film, interactive displays and replica armour and weapons introduce England before the Norman Conquest.
• Gatehouse exhibition – A multimedia guide and original and recreated objects tell the story of the abbey, with a view over the town and landscape from the upper floor.
• Battlefield walk and abbey ruins – An audio tour leads around the battlefield and the abbey ruins, including the 13th-century dormitory range and the spot where Harold is said to have died.

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are advance online prices without the optional donation for a day in October 2026; the donation version is about 10 per cent higher. Tickets booked online by midnight the day before the visit are cheaper than tickets bought on the day. Ticket prices change with the season and the date. Entry is free for English Heritage members. Visitors who arrive by train, bus or bicycle get 20 per cent off tickets bought on site on the day. A joint ticket with Pevensey Castle is available.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair users enter through the gatehouse, where staff will meet them if they ring the bell. There is a lift in the visitor centre, a drop-off point outside the entrance and loan wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Paths are gravel and avoid steps but are often steep, and the battlefield itself is very rough ground that can be viewed from the Lower Terrace. Steps lead into most of the ruined abbey buildings, and the gatehouse exhibition is reached by steep winding steps. Induction loops, film subtitles, transcripts of the audio tours and Braille guides are available. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Families can use a children's audio guide, a family trail through the grounds, a wood-carved sculpture trail and a natural play area themed on 11th-century life. Baby changing is available in the toilets at the visitor centre. Pushchairs are allowed, but paths are gravel and often steep.

Getting there & parking

Satnav postcode TN33 0AE.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Battle Abbey Café serves light lunches, afternoon tea and hot specials with indoor and outdoor seating. The large shop sells English Heritage gifts and 1066-themed items. There is a picnic area with benches and tables.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit