Check out our latest magazine... Read Online

Battle, East Sussex: what to know and where to visit

Thursday, 27 October 2022 16:40

By Mary Goodsell

Deep in 1066 Country is Battle, a town renowned for its significant place in history, and much more besides, as Sara Whatley finds out.

Roughly 13 miles to the west of Rye you will come to the market town of Battle. This town is named after the most famous battle to take place on British shores, the Battle of Hastings. The bloody battle saw William the Conqueror take control of England in 1066, hence this part of Sussex is called 1066 Country. 


The town of Battle grew up alongside the battleground and the medieval Battle Abbey. Here, re-enactments are carried out every October, a must for combat re-enactment enthusiasts. 


The town of Battle itself is a bustling historic street of independent shops and businesses. Many unique and individual shops thrive here including craft, wool, and book shops as well as clothes shops and antiques. Local industry and produce is championed here too, with many trading in British designed, locally grown and locally brewed products. 


Café culture is abundant in Battle with tables spilling out onto the pavements and many enticing tea rooms temping you in with their mouth-watering window displays. Cosy pubs and stylish restaurants are also plentiful to come by.

 

Bonfire and firework celebrations are a big night on the calendar in Battle, with the Battle Bonfire Society leading the charge through the town with a fiery procession. It is said that Guy Fawkes sourced his gunpowder from the Battle powder mills, and since 1646 the Battle Bonfire Boyes have been holding annual celebrations each November. 

Top Attractions

Battle Tapestry – Find this three-metre depiction of the town’s history in St Mary’s Parish Church, made by 741 stitchers
Battle Festival – Now a major arts and music festival held in the summer with a diverse family friendly focus  
Battle Abbey and Battlefield – Admire the ruins of the grand abbey, stand on the very spot Kind Harold is said to have died, and admire the battlefield, which is now a peaceful meadow full of wildflowers and birdsong
Keane Trail – Fans of the local super group Keane will delight in the trail through Battle, Bexhill and Hastings which landmarks the journey through their album ‘Strangeland’ 
 

See our visitors guide to Rye, here.

Share

More from Features

  • SPECIAL OFFER: General Admission Tickets To The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting

    We’ve got a special offer for general admission tickets for all of our Hidden members to this internationally renowned event on either Friday 21 or Saturday 22 June - RSVP on our ticket page and we'll send you a QR code for entry for TWO people!

  • Join Dementia Action Week

    Alzheimer’s Research UK is keen for people to get involved and help support their ground-breaking dementia research work that potentially brings new treatments closer. Fundraising Officer Francine Clarke explains why it is so important

  • What to Watch in May 2024

    From a watch-through-your-fingers true crime documentary to the return of Doctor Who, here's your guide to all the best new films & TV shows coming to screens big and small in the month of May...

  • Tracing the Rails

    Ever wondered about the history and romance of the steam train that once trickerty- trocked it’s way along the lost Steyning Line? This dynamic group of friends did, so they made a documentary about it. Sara Whatley found out more

  • NEW COMPETITION: Win Four VIP Tickets For More Radio Live 2024

    Fancy attending this year's More Radio Live in style? We've got FOUR tickets up for grabs to our VIP Marquee with all-inclusive food and drink!

  • Be Well, Move Happy: Eating Awareness and Deskercise

    Helping us to move more and eat better, this month Sara Whatley looks at eating awareness and deskercise

  • Riding to Success

    Not a coffee morning kind of couple, Alison and Henry are soon embarking on an ambitious UK tour on their 1960s scooters, all to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. Sara Whatley finds out more

  • Home Style: Home on Wheels

    A plot on the family farm with stunning marshland views was the ideal spot for Freddie Pack and Katie McNie to build their new home – a cabin on wheels

  • Home Style: Seeing the Light

    George and Christopher Stephenson left the rat race of London for a life in the south-east countryside, transforming a dark and dated Grade-II listed farmhouse

  • Step out for St Catherine’s Hospice

    St Catherine’s Hospice popular Midnight Walk is bouncing back to the streets of Horsham on Saturday 8 June, Adele Trathan explains how readers can get involved

  • If You Ask Me... This is Beyoncé Country

    This month, Flo Whitaker considers a recent showbiz altercation and asks, “If a black woman from Texas can’t make a country album - who can?”

  • Artelium Wine – Crafted in Sussex

    As the Sussex wine industry continues to expand and lead the way for the rest of the UK it is heartwarming to find a winery that’s producing award winning wines of outstanding quality, so we sent Robert Veitch to find out more

  • Homes Extra: Expanding Space

    If you need some extra space in your home but do not want to shoulder the burden and expense of moving, then look to a small extension or home improvement, says Sara Whatley

  • Kids Zone: Mosaic Art

    Get creative with this month’s fun and sustainable activity – mosaic art. Sara Whatley explains what to do

  • Be Well, Move Happy: Gardening & Connecting with Nature

    Spring is a wonderful time of year to get out and enjoy our natural world. Sara Whatley looks at connecting with nature for wellness and gardening for fitness

  • Homes for Ukraine: Opening Your Home and Your Heart

    As the conflict in the Ukraine continues, Homes for Ukraine scheme is still keen to hear from people that are interested in hosting a Ukrainian guest, as Paul Crompton from East Sussex County Council explains

  • Charity: Age Concern Hassocks

    Fancy a new place for lunch, meeting new friends in a fun and welcoming atmosphere, or a spot of volunteering? Look no further than Age Concern Hassocks, says Sara Whatley

  • Another New Clinic For Sussex Audiology

    Sussex Audiology has added to its Haywards Heath offering with a brand new high-street clinic. Hanna Prince drops in to learn about the vital importance of healthy hearing

  • The Joy of the Repair Café

    Volunteers are central to the success of Repair Cafés across Sussex, so we sent Nicola Coughlin along to Lindfield Repair Cafe to talk to volunteers about their valuable contribution

  • Wills & Wakes

    Sara Whatley spoke to Melanie Hodson, Head of Information Support at Hospice UK about how to talk openly and honestly about death and dying

© Sussex Living and Aiir 2024 | Unit 4 Regent Business Centre, 6 Jubilee Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9TL