Battle Abbey
Battle, East Sussex
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Quick Guide
See below grid for details |
Benedictine monks founded the abbey in 1094 and
it was dissolved in 1538. It's also known as St Martins Abbey and is a partially
ruined abbey complex in the town of Battle.
| The abbey marks the
spot where the Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. William the
Conqueror had the abbey built in 1070, although he died before it's
completion, with the high altar built where Harold was killed. A stone
plaque now marks the spot. Following the dissolution, parts of it became
a private home and other parts of the monastic buildings were ravaged
for building materials. It stayed in private hands for many years and
during the second world war it was an all girls boarding school, it was
sold to the Government in 1876 and today is in the care of English
Heritage. All that is left
of the abbey church is an outline on the ground, but parts of the
abbey's buildings are still standing particularly those building between
the 13th and 16th centuries, these are still in use by an independent
school 'Battle Abbey School' today. Visitors are not
usually allowed inside the abbey itself, although during the school's
summer holidays access to the Abbots Hall is often allowed.
The best preserved part of
the abbey is the impressive 14th century Great Gatehouse.
Visitors today have access
to the ruins of the abbey, the adjacent battlefield and there are displays and
an interactive exhibit on the history of the site, as well as an audio
tour of the 100-acre battlefield. The audio tour re-creates the sounds of the
battle, as you stand where the Saxon army's ridgetop 'shield wall' watched the
Normans advancing towards them. It uses 'interviews' with soldiers, monks and
key figures from the time to retell the story.
The abbey museum explores the history of the
abbey and includes artefacts found on site during excavations.
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 Abbey Gatehouse
Chris
Downer
Dormitory Range
Chris
Downer
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Dormitory Range
Chris
Downer
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The Abbey Crypt
Chris
Downer
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Click on
smaller images on this page to see larger versions
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Location: Battle Abbey and Battlefield,
Battle, East Sussex |
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Grid Reference: TQ746155 |
Ceremonial County:
Sussex
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Map Link:
Streetmap
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Aerial photo:
Google Aerial
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Getting there: Take the A2100 of the A21. |
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Access: in
Battle at the south end of the High Street |
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Website:
English Heritage
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Other Useful Websites:
Wiki
PEH
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Email: |
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Address: Battle Abbey,
Battle, East Sussex |
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Postcode: TN33 0AD |
Telephone: 01424
775705 |
Opening Times: Daily. Apr-Sep 10am-6pm;
1 Oct-31 Mar 10am-4pm;
Closed 24-26 Dec and 1st January |
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Charges: Adults £7.30; Child £.40; Concession
£6.60; Family £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free |
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Nearby Locations: |
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Other Location Pages:
Abbey Section
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Notes: themed children's outdoor play area
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