This is the enthralling story of Wilhelmina, Duchess of Cleveland.

A walking tour of the abbey grounds puts her life into the context of the Victorian Age. Discover the Duchess’s passion for Battle Abbey; glimpse her favourite features in the gardens and discover her ambitions to establish the site as heritage attraction.

Discover how she opened the abbey to tourists and attempted – sometimes haplessly – to manage the early days of the ‘visitor experience’. Hear the Duchess in her own words and get to know this dynamic, formidable and yet relatable woman.

The tour involves some walking with limited places to rest and may include some stairs or uneven terrain. This tour takes place outside, so please wear suitable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.

Bookings for this event open on this page on Monday 20 April.