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Battle Abbey (English Heritage)
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Battle Abbey
Battle
TN33 0AD
East Sussex
England
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Collection details
Archaeology
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Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
01424 773 792
Website
:
www.english-heritage.org.uk/battleabbey/
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Open
1 Apr-30 Sep 10am-6pm Mon- Sun
1 Oct-20 Mar 10am-4pm Mon-Sun
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Closed
Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan
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Admission charges
Adult:£6.30
Children:£3.20
Concession:£4.70
English Heritage Members:Free
Family Ticket: £15.80
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Discounts
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Description
Everyone knows at least one date in English history – 1066, the year the invading Normans defeated the English at the Battle of Hastings. In fact the conflict took place some 7 miles north of Hastings, at a place then called Senlac. Here, William the Conqueror later founded ‘Battle’ Abbey to commemorate the event and on the site of its high altar, you can stand on the very spot where King Harold of England fell. Little of the original Norman structure survives, but you can still see many later monastic buildings, including the dormitory range with its fine vaulted novices’ chamber. The west range, incorporating the abbots’ Great Hall, was converted into a mansion after Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, and is now a school. Best preserved and most impressive of all is the Great Gatehouse, rebuilt c. 1338 and perhaps the finest surviving monastic entrance in Britain.
The exciting new exhibition, 1066: The Battle for England, uses the latest technology and interactive displays to draw a vivid picture of the social and political events, both for Saxons and Normans, of the years which led up to the conflict, and illustrates the impact this pivotal battle had on shaping English history. Hands-on interactives, touch screen displays and listening points look at how life was for the opposing sides. Central to the new exhibition is a short film which dramatically explains the events leading up to this bloody struggle, culminating in the events of 14 October. The new building also houses a stylish cafe serving light refreshments all day.
A new 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. After about an hour of fighting, the Normans panicked and fled, but William rallied them and successfully counterattacked. Several ‘pretended retreats’ followed. After some ten hours of fighting, the Normans launched an assault which finally broke the fatally weakened Saxon shield wall. By nightfall the Norman victory was complete. New family tour uses ‘interviews’ with soldiers, monks and key figures from the time to retell the story of this fateful event.
Visit the abbey museum which explores the history of the abbey and includes artefacts found on site during excavations.
Following your visit, why not while away a pleasant afternoon in Battle town: it has a Town Trail, museum, plenty of antiqueshops. From Battle you can take the 1066 Walk to Pevensey Castle (one of Britain’s oldest strongholds) where William first landed before moving to Hastings.
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Articles
News In Brief - Week Ending October 15 2006
Archaeologists Dig Up Medieval Arrow Head At Battle Abbey
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Available resources
1066 Conquest Tour and Tales Discovery Visit
Guided tour (Resource); Storytelling session (Resource)
Monks and Marvels Discovery Visit
Guided tour (Resource); Roleplay or interpreters
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General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Foreign language audio guide available
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Collections
General guide to collections available
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
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Disability Access
Braille information and/or interpretation
General audio-guide available
Induction loops in exhibition spaces
Large print information and/or interpretation
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan
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Children and Families
Events and resources for children and families
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General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
General audio-guide available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
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Schools Education
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
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Facilities
General audio-guide available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Restaurant
Shop
Study facilities
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Copyright © 24 Hour Museum
Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
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