Set among the wooded, rolling hills of the High Weald, Battle lies about 50 miles south-east of London, north-west of Hastings and just north of Bexhill. It’s a charming and bustling town with the imposing wall and gates of the Abbey to the south, lots of period property and 1066 history in almost every brick and blade of grass.
A little bit of history
The town takes its name from the Battle of Hastings, fought nearby on 14 October 1066, when William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold’s English army and went on to claim the English throne. Historians believe that the battle was fought on Senlac Hill which slopes away from where Battle Abbey now stands. Before 1066, there was probably little more than a small settlement here.
Telham Hill, down a sleepy lane about a mile south of the town, is where William’s army is reported to have reached or camped before the battle. From there, there are views across to both Senlac Hill and also Caldbec Hill, north of Battle. Caldbec Hill is easily accessible from the town and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle’s mention of a “hoary apple tree” mean some historians believe Harold camped here before the battle. And yes, it has views back towards Telham Hill to give you a real sense of perspective.
The Battle of Hastings 1066: the Battle that Changed Sussex & History
William ordered an abbey to be built on the battlefield, both to commemorate his victory and to make amends for the bloodshed. The abbey remains the town’s most striking landmark. Founded around 1070, its church was completed and consecrated in 1094. William insisted that the high altar be placed where Harold was believed to have fallen. Much of the abbey was later destroyed, but fragments of the cloisters and other buildings remain and parts of the site are now used by Battle Abbey School. Its great gatehouse still dominates the town centre.
The town grew around the abbey: its community and trade helped sustain a settlement in this rather hilly, wooded spot. Opposite the abbey stands St Mary the Virgin, founded to serve the growing community and consecrated in 1115. Inside are medieval wall paintings, the alabaster tomb of Sir Anthony Browne, and a stained-glass Senlac window dating from 1984. The church also has a modern three-metre tapestry depicting the early development of Battle.
Battle’s history is not all about the abbey. The surrounding woodland supplied oak and other timber, and the area became known for gunpowder making. The first recorded mill was established in 1676, when John Hammond received permission to build one on abbey land. The works included the site now occupied by Crafted at Powdermills. Writing in 1722, Daniel Defoe singled out Battle for its gunpowder, calling it among the finest in Europe.
The town is also home to the Battel Bonfire Boyes, who claim to be Sussex’s oldest bonfire society. Their historic Guy Fawkes effigy head is kept at Battle Museum for much of the year.
Things to do in Battle
For many, the main reason to visit Battle is in order to visit the Abbey and retrace the epic events of 1066. But you may be surprised at what else is on offer in and around the town:
Food and drink
Battle has plenty to tempt your appetite, from cafés, delis and Italian restaurants in town to local produce, wines and treats to take home. For a lovely countryside pit stop, visit one of the nearby vineyards: Mountfield Winery, with its beautiful tasting rooms and award-winning sparkling wine, or Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard for tours, tastings and charcuterie.
Walks around Battle
There’s fantastic walking in and around Battle, much of it steeped in the story of 1066. For a mighty hike, the town lies roughly halfway along the 31-mile 1066 Country Walk, which runs from Pevensey to Rye, and marks the end of the 1066 Country Walk Bexhill Link. That makes Battle a natural base for walkers taking on either route in sections or over several days.
If you’re after a shorter outing, there’s plenty to choose from. Battle Great Wood lies just east of town, with forest tracks and footpaths to explore; the 1066 Country Walk passes through it, and a local circular route links the wood with Battle Abbey, the battlefield and the museum. To the south, Fore Wood Nature Reserve offers another woodland escape, while paths around Powdermills and the Normanhurst Estate lead into more of the surrounding countryside (Powdermills and the Normanhurst Estate are not open for unrestricted wandering. Keep to public rights of way).
There are also shorter footpath routes close to the town, including an easy circular walk that gives you a taste of the 1066 countryside before returning through Battle. So whether you want a long-distance challenge or a gentle wander, it’s easy to find a walk that brings together the area’s landscape and its history.
Itineraries
Set as it is right in the heart of East Sussex and the High Weald, Battle makes an excellent base for exploring the county. And there’s much more to discover beyond the battlefield. Follow a wine trail, explore the old fishing town of Hastings or wander the historic streets of Winchelsea and Rye. Discover local smuggling stories, visit the castles at Herstmonceux and Bodiam, or spend time in one of the area’s gardens. Here are a few itineraries to help you make the most of your time in and around Battle:
Places to stay
As you might expect, there are a number of Airbnb and Bed and Breakfast style places to stay as well as a handful of hotels in Battle. Right in the heart of the town is The Bull which is lively and full of atmosphere, while less than a mile from Battle is Crafted at Powdermills, a beautifully refurbished and stylish boutique hotel in a historic setting.
Living in Battle
Battle is not one of the most affordable places to live, but it is easy to understand its appeal. Set among the rolling countryside of the High Weald, with historic streets, woodland walks and the coast within easy reach, it offers a beautiful setting and a strong sense of place.
For a small town, Battle has a useful range of everyday amenities. The High Street has independent shops, cafés and pubs, while grocery shopping is covered by the Co-op, Tesco Express and Jempson’s Local. For a larger supermarket shop, there is a Sainsbury’s on the edge of St Leonards, alongside stores including Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl in the Hastings and St Leonards area.
Families have a choice of schools in and around the town, including Battle Abbey School in Battle, with Vinehall at Robertsbridge, Claremont at Bodiam and Bede’s near Hailsham among the independent options within reach. Add in the surrounding countryside, nearby coastal towns and Battle’s welcoming pubs, and it makes an attractive base for those who value landscape and character alongside practical connections.
Getting there and transport
Battle station offers direct trains towards London, with journeys to London Bridge taking around an hour and 20 minutes, depending on the service. Bus routes connect the town with nearby places including Hastings, Bexhill and Tunbridge Wells. By road, the A2100 links Battle with Hastings, while the A21 and A271 provide wider connections across the region.
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