Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page. 

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 once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip! 

• 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: The Education Room is used for Discovery Visits, but can be reserved by schools for use as a bag drop and learning space if not already in use. It is not available as a lunch space.
  • 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. 
  • ACTIVITIES: The free Discovery Chest handling collection can be booked in advance of your visit. Aimed at KS2 and KS3, this activity focuses on the monastic history of Battle Abbey, with eight activity bags each containing various activities and associated objects.
  • 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.
  • WET WEATHER: There is limited cover. If the weather is bad, the site staff will do their best to find a suitable place for your group to shelter.

  Site Map

  

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments. 

  • 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield Hazard Information.pdf (82.7 KB)

  You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

  • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
  • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
  • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
  • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
  • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
  • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
  • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
  • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group

• Discovery Visits

  Our Discovery Visit Guide provides you with everything you need to know about our expert-led session at Battle Abbey. It includes a breakdown of the learning objectives and details on how to prepare for the session.

  • 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield Discovery Visit Guide (KS1-KS4).pdf (983.8 KB)

• Risk Assessments

  Our ready-made Discovery Visit Risk Assessments take the hassle out of planning.

  • 1066 Conquest Tour and Tales Risk Assessment.pdf (65.4 KB)
  • 1066 GCSE Tour Risk Assessment.pdf (61.6 KB)

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer free self-led education visits during school term time^*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

  ^*Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

  • 1 April-5 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • 6 November-11 February: Monday and Friday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Mondays and Fridays
  • 19 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Wednesday-Friday