Battle Tourist Attractions
|
|
The delightful little market town of Battle is situated just 6mi/10km from the South Coast, north of Hastings. Although nearly every schoolchild is taught that the battle in which William the Conqueror defeated the Saxon king Harold in 1066 was fought at Hastings, in fact this most notorious of encounters on English soil took place here, on the site of the town later named after it. To commemorate his victory, and in atonement for all the blood shed during his invasion, William built an abbey where his rival Harold fell. The finest portrayal of the battle itself is found on the famous Bayeux Tapestry, embroidered in the 11th century.Remains of the foundations of the Norman church and a refectory are also found within Battle.
Battle Abbey and Battlefield
The 223ft/68m Benedictine abbey church was consecrated in 1094, its high altar marking the spot where Harold died. In 1539, at the time of the Reformation, Henry VIII gave the abbey to his Master of the Horse, Sir Anthony Browne, following which large parts of it were torn down. The Norman church was demolished and the west wing converted by Sir Anthony for use as his private residence. Altered in 1857 in neo-Gothic style, this latter is now a girls' school and closed to the public. The gatehouse, completed in 1339, and the ruins of the monks' dormitory (1120), remain particularly impressive today.The tomb of Sir Anthony Browne (died 1548), a splendid Renaissance sarcophagus, can be seen in St Mary's, the parish church a little to the north.
Battlefield of 1066
Starting from the Battle Abbey gatehouse a round walk tours the battlefield. Events on that fateful day - October 14, 1066 - can be followed with the help of topographical models sited at intervals along the way. The lower terrace of the abbey commands a sweeping view over the scene of battle.
Herstmonceux Castle Grounds and Gardens
Herstmonceux Castle, (10mi/16km west of Battle), is a splendid 15th century moated and fortified, red brick Renaissance manor house. Until 1990 it was the home of the Royal Observatory, which moved there from its original site in Greenwich and has now been transferred to Cambridge.
Buckleys Yesterday's World
Buckleys "Yesterday World" at 90 High Street offers a nostalgic glimpse of bygone days with shop interiors and fittings from 1850 to 1950.Displays include a Victorian kitchen, grocers, chemists, 1930s railroad station, and a wireless shop. Children's playground and mini golf.
Memorial Hall (Battle & District Historical Society Museum)
The Memorial Hall houses the Battle and District Historical Society Museum.Local exhibits include artefacts and memorabilia from various periods in history.
Bodiam Castle
Built on the northern slopes of the Rother valley between 1385 and 1389, Bodiam Castle (8mi/13km northeast of Battle) is one of the country's best preserved medieval moated castles. It is also widely regarded as one of the most romantic castle ruins in England (a reputation it acquired in the 19th century due in no small measure to J. Fuller). Never having endured a siege, Bodiam retains much of its original character, an outstanding example of a medieval fortress from a time when domestic comfort began to be prized as well as security. The unusually wide moat creates the appearance of a lake, in which the square castle with its sturdy, round, battlement corner towers, stands as if on an island.
