The history of Hastings and 1066 Country

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1066 Country’s official website for tourism and travel information

Exploring the region of 1066 Country can often lead to an unexpected journey into the past. Battle Abbey tells the story of the invasion and of the many dark and difficult days that followed its construction. Parts of the abbey, including the Great Gatehouse were built or customised to enable the abbots to defend the coast from French raids during the 14th century. Find out more about the history of Battle.

After sixty years of coastal assaults from violent Saxon invaders, the Roman fort of Anderida was weary with war but its ordeal had only just begun. A few centuries later another invader, William of Normandy, landed nearby and turned it into Pevensey Castle by building upon the old Roman walls. Find out more about the history of Pevensey.

The remains of the first castle to be built in England after William's invasion, Hastings Castle, can be seen on the town's West Hill. Its famous 'whispering dungeon' is still intact and there's a special audio-visual display 'the 1066 Story' which captures the bloody thrills of the invasion that led to the creation of the castle. Find out more about the history of Hastings.

Nearby Bodiam Castle lies next to the River Rother and was built in the late 14th century by a veteran of King Edward III's wars with France. Just as the scars of Battle Abbey and Pevensey Castle betray their roles in many different conflicts, so the perfectly preserved walls of Bodiam reveal its relatively untroubled existence. Find out more about the history of Bodiam.

The similarly moated Herstmonceux Castle has also enjoyed a quiet life. Built in the 15th century, it embodies the gentler side of medieval history and the romance of renaissance Europe.

Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling is closely associated with Batemans. This is where he wrote the ‘Just So’ stories. Lamb House in Rye was the home of American author Henry James from 1898 until 1916 during which time he wrote ‘Wings of the Dove’. Following his death, author EF Benson took the house over and wrote the ‘Mapp and Lucia’ novels, taking inspiration from his surroundings. Find out more about the history of Rye.

Winchelsea's fortunes have ebbed and flowed with the waves, with the reconstructed town looking down from its hilltop at its predecessor beneath the waves. This once prosperous port was home to 6,000 people in its heyday, but is now stranded inland with a population of just 500. Find out more about the history of Winchelsea.

1066 Country also bears the bruises of a history far more recent than 1066. From Hastings Old Town's moving remembrance garden where the Swan Inn once stood (and several people were killed by a stray German bomb) to the various pill boxes and fortifications along the Camber and Rye coast, the landscape is littered with war artefacts.

Elsewhere are follies, windmills and giant steam pumps, churches, court houses and gaols. So much of our history is told in our countryside, from the evidence of castle remains to medieval iron forges, from apple orchards and reed beds to winding rivers and shingle ridges.

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Bateman's

Address

Burwash, Etchingham, East Sussex, TN19 7DS

Telephone
+44 01435 882302

batemans@nationaltrust.org.uk

Burwash, Etchingham

This 17th century Sussex Ironmaster's house, built in a Wealden valley, was the home of writer Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936.

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The Story of Rye at Rye Heritage Centre

Address

The Old Sail Loft, Strand Quay, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7AY

Telephone
01797 331066

info@ryeheritage.co.uk

Rye

If you're looking for things to do in Rye, don't miss the Rye Heritage Centre. Here you'll find the 'Story of Rye', a town model with dramatic light and sound effects that brings the history of Rye to life.

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Bodiam Castle

Address

Bodiam, Nr Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA

Telephone
+44 (0)1580 830196

bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Bodiam, Nr Robertsbridge

Bodiam Castle is one of Britain’s most picturesque castles in the heart of an historic landscape.

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Kent & East Sussex Railway

Address

Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6HE

Telephone
+44 01580 765155

enquiries@kesr.org.uk

Tenterden

The picturesque heritage line weaves between Tenterden and Bodiam for 10.5 miles. Experience the travel & service from a bygone age.

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Great Dixter House and Gardens

Address

Northiam, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6PH

Telephone
+44 01797 252878

office@greatdixter.co.uk

Rye

The world-famous garden bringing together creativity, community and nature.

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Hastings Pier

Address

White Rock, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1JU

Hastings

Promenade 272 metres out to sea on rebuilt and revamped pier, which won a RIBA award for its slick and sustainable architecture.

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Winchelsea Court Hall Museum

Address

High Street, Winchelsea, East Sussex, TN36 4EA

Telephone
07918 704 559

courthallmuseum@hotmail.com

Winchelsea

Winchelsea Court Hall Museum contains displays and exhibits that illustrate the history of the 'Ancient Town Winchelsea'.

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1066 Battle Abbey and Battlefield

Address

High Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AD

Telephone
+44 01424 775705

battle.abbey@english-heritage.org.uk

Battle

Visit the site of one of the most famous battles in England's history – the 1066 Battle of Hastings, and discover the fascinating story of events behind that historic date.

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Michelham Priory

Address

Upper Dicker, Nr Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 3QS

Telephone
+44(0)1323 844224

adminmich@sussexpast.co.uk

Nr Hailsham

Discover the enchanting Michelham Priory, the perfect family day out, featuring England’s longest medieval moat and a rich history spanning over eight hundred years.

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Herstmonceux Castle Estate

Address

Herstmonceux, Hailsham, BN27 1RN

Telephone
+44(0)1323 833816

c_harber@bisc.queensu.ac.uk

Herstmonceux, Hailsham

The majestic, moated castle is the centrepiece of this beautiful 300-acre estate.

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Fairlight Hall Gardens

Address

Martineau Lane, Hastings, East Sussex, TN35 5DR

Telephone
01424 814132

headgardener@fairlighthall.co.uk

Hastings

Open garden events and special performances take place at this historic estate that looks out across the English Channel.

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Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Address

Rye Harbour Discovery Centre, Harbour Road, Rye Harbour, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7FW

Telephone
01797 360 960

RHDCOffice@sussexwt.org.uk

Rye Harbour, Rye

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is an important wildlife site set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape. It is home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals including 300 that are rare or endangered.

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St Mary's Church, Rye

Address

Church Square, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7HF

Telephone
+44(0)1797 224935

Rye

Sometimes called the "cathedral of East Sussex", the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, has dominated the hill on which the citadel is built for over 900 years. When the building of the present church was started, early in the…

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Rye Castle (The Ypres Tower)

Address

The Gungarden, RYE, East Sussex, TN31 7HH

Telephone
01797 227798

info@ryemuseum.co.uk

RYE

Many displays on smuggling, military, police, coastal and maritime history and with things for children to do! See how Women prisoners were treated in the 19th Century. Open all year round.

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Smugglers Adventure at St Clements Caves

Address

St Clements Caves, West Hill, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3HY

Telephone
+44 01424 422964

smugglers@discoverhastings.co.uk

Hastings

An exciting adventure for all the family as you explore the sandstone wonders of St Clements Caves and discover many surprises around every darkened corner.

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Camber Castle

Address

Rye Harbour Road, RYE, East Sussex, TN31 7TD

Telephone
+44 01797 227784

rhnr.office@eastsussex.gov.uk

RYE

Camber Castle was one link in the chain of forts built along the south coast by Henry VIII in 1544. It was abandoned soon after it was built and is a rare example of its kind.

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Fuller's Follies

Address

Brightling, ROBERTSBRIDGE, East Sussex, TN32 5HH

ROBERTSBRIDGE

You might spot several follies as you walk through the Brightling countryside.

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St Mary's Church, Battle

Address

Upper Lake, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AN

admin@stmarysbattle.org.uk

Battle

Battle's Grade I Listed church of national historic importance, with a thriving community.

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Pevensey Castle

Address

High Street, Pevensey, East Sussex, BN24 5LE

Telephone
+44 01323 762604

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Pevensey

Walk the massive outer walls and gatehouse of one of the Romans' Saxon shore forts, within which the Normans built another oval-shaped castle, now ruined. Parts of the towers, keep and chapel remain and Elizabethan catapult balls and cannon can also…

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The Battle Tapestry

Address

St Mary the Virgin, Upper Lake, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AN

Battle

Find out about this remarkable three-metre tapestry at St Mary's Church.

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How to travel to and around 1066 Country
Despite the feeling of seclusion, it's easy to get here by rail, sea or road and there are plenty of transport options for getting around.
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