1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

Schools

What better way to learn about 1066 and the Battle of Hastings than by walking in the footsteps of William the Conqueror and King Harold at Battle Abbey? Standing where history was made, your students will better understand the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and beyond.

"A fantastic educational experience for the whole class; the Battle of Hastings was brought to life with battle cries, sword swinging and fantastic scenery that inspired all the pupils."

Hannah Vaughan
KS2 teacher

Information about your visit

Our number one priority remains the health, safety and security of all of our visitors, staff and volunteers. Our staff are still working hard to keep everyone safe and make sure you and your group have an enjoyable visit.

You and your group don’t need to have a COVID Pass to visit, but please don’t visit if you or any of your group have symptoms of Covid-19, have tested positive or if you’ve been asked to self-isolate. We’ll always follow the latest government guidance, and if anything changes we’ll update this page to let you know our plans.

Important information to consider before you book:

  • Face coverings are now legally required in all our indoor public places, including our visitor centres, shops, on all on-site transport, and in our cafes except when you are eating or drinking (unless exempt)
  • To keep everyone safe we’re continuing to limit visitor numbers at some sites and in some indoor spaces. Please book as soon as possible to secure your preferred trip date and times.
  • In order to process your enquiry as quickly as possible, please ensure you have provided the following information, or have this information ready when you speak to one of our advisers: visit arrival and departure time; age range of the group; subject(s) to be studied; learning objective; number of learners and leaders; name of trip organiser; name of trip leader; SEND requirements. Go to our bookings page to make an enquiry or update an existing booking.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit and make sure you download our COVID risk assessments; download a free copy of managing education visits during the pandemic and if you're participating in a Discovery Visit download our managing Discovery Visits during the pandemic risk assessment
  • To make the planning process as easy as possible, make sure you check our Plan Your School Trip section at the bottom of this page, for updated information on the facilities at the site as well as our free resources.
  • You’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our terms and conditions for full details.
  • Although is it not a requirement, any teachers, parents, or students aged 16 years can check in via the NHS Test and Trace app, using the NHS QR code posters displayed at the site entrance. Please factor this into your travel/arrival time. For more information about how we are handling your personal data for NHS Test and Trace please visit this page.

At some sites you might not be able to use our handling collections or costumes as part of a free self-led visit, but where we can provide hands-on items in a safe way we will. We’ve adapted our Discovery Visit workshops to keep you and your group safe at all times, but for certain sessions we’re still working on this – please check the Discovery Visit section and Facilities section on this page below for further information.

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Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield will help you bring learning to life, covering multiple topics across the curriculum and key stages.

  • KS1 History: Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally. Significant historical events, people and places in the locality
  • KS2 History: A local history study. Edward the Confessor and his death in 1066. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS2 Geography: Human geography: types of settlement and land use, why did the battle take place here?
  • KS2 Drama: Become Saxon and Norman soldiers, charging up the hill
  • KS2 Religious Studies: Religion in daily life, why was an abbey built on the site and who lived there?
  • KS3 History: A local history study. The Norman Conquest. Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509 
  • KS3 Geography: Human geography: understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, why did the battle take place here?
  • KS4 History: OCR History A: Study of the historic environment; OCR History B: History around us, British depth study, The Norman Conquest 1060 - 1087; AQA Section B: British depth study including the historic environment, Norman England; Edexcel Paper2B1: Anglo Saxon and Norman England 1060 - 1088
  • KS5 History: OCR Unit Y102/Y132: Anglo Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035 - 1107; AQA Unit HIS2A: Conqueror and Conquest c 1060 - 1087; Edexcel Paper 2, Option 2A.1: Anglo Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom c1053 - 1106

Free Self-Led Visits

Enjoy a free self-led visit to Battle Abbey and design your day to suit your curriculum needs. The activities in our Teachers' Kit will help your students imagine what it was like to be a Norman charging across the battlefield, how it felt to be part of the Anglo-Saxon shield wall, or how the Norman cavalry helped them to victory. Find out more about the daily life of the Benedictine Monks who lived at the Abbey with our free bookable Discovery Chest. Inside are activity bags containing challenges and replica objects representing different monastic buildings, such as the abbey church, which pupils can then explore. 

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Expert-led Discovery Visits

Our immersive expert-led sessions at Battle Abbey are a great way to bring the Battle of Hastings to life. Pupils will re-enact the battle on the battlefield, view replica weapons and delver deeper into this important subject and date in history.

Our Discovery Visits have been adapted to follow health and safety guidelines and will still offer your students a quality and fun learning experience.

Just £100 per session (for approximately 30 pupils).

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Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip.

We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team is on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: There is a large car park near the entrance for cars and minibuses; there is a daily parking charge. Town centre coach park in Market Road, a 10 minute walk.
    • TOILETS: Toilets (including accessible toilets) are available at the visitor centre.
    • EDUCATION ROOM: Available for use as a bag drop and lunch area. This must be reserved at the time of your booking.
    • SHOP: There is a shop selling a range of books and gifts. We recommend bringing your students in small groups at a time.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds. There is a picnic area with tables and benches for packed lunches. There is also a large café on site, with seating available outside. Please request use of Education Room for lunch space when booking.
    • ACTIVITIES: The free Discovery Chest handling collection can be booked in advance of your visit.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: There are steps to some areas and a gravel pathway to help you avoid some of these. There are steep slopes. A suggested route for visitors with limited mobility is available upon request.
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