Complete 1066 Battle of Hastings Tour including Pevensey and Battle 6 – 7 hours
6 – 7 hours approx – is restricted to your group and can be customised to suit your requirements
This Complete 1066 Battle of Hastings tour includes a walk of around 5 miles over both flat and gentle hills, paved as well as rough and uneven terrain. Sturdy walking shoes are essential. If you are a wheelchair user, have mobility issues or children in buggies please request a modified tour.
Our Complete 1066 Battle of Hastings tour meeting place will be at the East Gate of the Roman walls that surround Pevensey Castle, next to the castle car park if you are arriving by car. If you are arriving by train you will be met at the exit to the Pevensey and Westham train station.
I will begin our tour by explaining the geography of the area in the 11th century and looking at the reasons why William Duke of Normandy chose this spot to land his army in September 1066 and why he moved his army to Hastings.
We then pay a brief visit to St Nicholas Church, built in 1216 on the site of a Saxon Priory, before walking behind Pevensey castle to get an idea of what it was like for the Normans to approach Pevensey by sea.
Here we will discuss the Norman landing, highlighting the differences between what the Normans expected in Pevensey and what they actually found.
We will then follow the off-road path behind the castle to St Mary’s Church which dates from 1080.
(Please Note: it may not be possible to go inside the church if there are restrictions or a service is taking place.)
Leaving the church, we will follow the route taken by the Norman soldiers on their march to Hastings, stopping at a vantage point to view where they made camp that night.
We will then retrace our steps, back past the church to the Roman fort of Anderida, viewing the village green along the way. Inside the fort we will view the exterior of the Norman castle, beore entering the castle and viewing the castle ruins.
Leaving the castle behind we will make our way to Battle for the second part of the tour. If you have travelled by private car to Pevensey we will regroup outside Battle Abbey (route map, provided). Alternatively we can travel to Battle by private taxi (£15 per person).
We will begin the Battle part of our 1066 Battle of Hastings tour at a spot overlooking Caldbec Hill, where the Anglo-Saxon army camped on the night before the battle.
Here I will explain why the location of the battlefield site is disputed and we will consider the pros and cons for each site being the Battlefield.
We will then walk to Battle Abbey stopping at St Mary’s Church, which was built by the monks of Battle Abbey.
It may not be possible to visit the church if there are restrictions on entry or if a service is taking place.
Leaving the Church we will be able to see the outer walls of Battle Abbey which was built on the order of William I at the top of Senlac Hill, traditionally believed to be the site of the Battle of Hastings.
Once inside the abbey we stop at the Abbey café for lunch (not included in price). After lunch we will remain in the café and, using laminates and graphics, I will explain the background to the conflict from 1002 to the start of the battle on 14th October 1066.
Afterwards we will walk to the position where Harold set his shield wall before walking the perimeter of the battlefield. Using maps and diagrams I will explain the events of the battle from when it began at 9am on 14th October 1066 to the point where Harold was killed and William claimed victory late in the afternoon.
Leaving the battlefield we will walk to the spot where it is believed that Harold fell. Here I will explain what William did immediately after the Battle of Hastings and how he managed to secure the backing of the Ealdormen for his coronation on 25th December 1066.
We will end our tour by looking at the Abbey ruins. If you arrived by train you may prefer to make your return journey from Battle station.
1066 Battle of Hastings Tour (Pevensey & Battle)
Prices
price per tour (not per person)
£270 – 1 person
£380 – 2 people
£480 – 3 people
£540 – 4 people
£600 – 5 people
£660 – 6 people
£735 – 7 people
£800 – 8 people
(For more than 6 people please request price)
(price includes entrance to Battle Abbey but does not include lunch, refreshments or travel from Pevensey to Battle)
To book a tour please use our booking form