Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park

About the museum

The Battle of Bosworth was fought on 22 August 1485, when Henry Tudor and a rebel army defeated the larger royal army of King Richard III. Richard was killed in the fighting and the Tudor dynasty followed. For centuries the exact site of the battle was uncertain.

Leicestershire County Council chose Ambion Hill Farm in 1973 for the first battlefield interpretation centre in the country. The first exhibitions opened in September 1974 in the farm's old cow sheds, and the centre was expanded over the following decades. A survey led by Dr Glenn Foard of the Battlefields Trust, supported by Heritage Lottery funding, later located the battlefield about a mile south-west of Ambion Hill.

Today the centre combines nine exhibition rooms on medieval England, the battle and the Tudor period with a country park, a battlefield trail of about 2 km and a sculpture trail. Visitors follow four characters from medieval life through the story, try on armour, play a table game of the battle and see a large collection of medieval round shot. The centre is run by Leicestershire County Council.

Highlights

• Nine interactive exhibition rooms on the Wars of the Roses, the battle and the Tudors
• Battle Rotunda with film and animated map table
• Largest collection of medieval round shot from an English battle
• Guided walks on the 2 km Battlefield Trail
• Free Bosworth Discovery Zone play space for young children
• 1485 Sculpture Trail in the country park

Permanent exhibitions

• Interactive Exhibition Galleries – Nine rooms trace the Wars of the Roses, the build-up to the battle, the fighting itself and the Tudor period, with a film, an animated map table and hands-on activities.
• Battlefield Trail and 1485 Sculpture Trail – Outdoor trails in the country park on Ambion Hill that explain the battle and where it was fought, with guided walks at weekends.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Leicestershire County Council

Admission & discounts

Exhibition tickets give unlimited re-admission for 12 months from the date of purchase. They are not valid for the Bosworth Medieval Festival, and some weekend events need a separate event ticket. Under-3s are free. Tickets are not refundable. A joint ticket with the King Richard III Centre in Leicester is available on request. Car park (pay and display, coins, PayByPhone or ticket office): up to 1 hour £2, up to 2 hours £3.50, up to 3 hours £4.50, over 3 hours £5.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most of the exhibition is on the ground floor. A few steps at the end of the main gallery have a platform lift, and the shop can be reached by a ramp from the courtyard. Induction loops are installed in the exhibition areas. Wheelchairs can be borrowed on request, and mobility scooters for the Battlefield Trail and country park must be booked by phone. Ear defenders and coloured overlays can be borrowed. Accessible toilets are at the centre and at Shenton Station. Only trained assistance dogs are allowed in the exhibition, shop, Discovery Zone and Heritage Room; the cafe has a dog-friendly area. Parking charges also apply to disabled visitors.

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

The galleries follow four characters, including a child, and offer dressing up, a visored helmet to try on and a table game of the battle. The free Bosworth Discovery Zone is an indoor and outdoor play and learning space for young children, open Thursday to Sunday in Leicestershire school holidays. Self-led craft packs cost £3.50 and a Halloween history hunt runs in October half term. Baby changing is in the family toilets in the courtyard and in the cafe toilets.

Getting there & parking

Sat nav postcode CV13 0AD; what3words zebra.spillage.shed. The site lies between Sutton Cheney and Shenton and is signed by brown signs with crossed swords. The driveway is steep. Boaters can use 48-hour visitor moorings at Sutton Cheney Wharf on the Ashby Canal and walk up to the centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Licensed 1485 Tithe Barn Cafe serving cakes, sandwiches, coffee and tea, and a gift shop. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the site, with tethers and water bowls provided.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

The Heritage Room holds 30 people boardroom style, 50 theatre style or 100 standing. It is offered for conferences, training, family occasions and special events; prices are on request.

Plan your visit