1066 Battle of Hastings Tour – Pevensey and Battle Private Guided Tour
5 – 6 hours approx – is restricted to your group and can be customised to suit your requirements
This 1066 Battle of Hastings tour includes a walk of around 5 miles over both flat, gentle hills, paved as well as rough and uneven terrain. There are a number of stiles and narrow bridges to cross making this tour unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies. If you are a wheelchair user or have mobility issues please request a modified tour.
Our 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 walk by explaining the geography of the area in 1066
The scene below shows reclaimed marsh land stretching from Pevensey Bay to Pevensey Castle. The castle, just visible behind the tree-line, in the centre of the picture, marked the coast and harbour wall in 1066.
Next, I will explain the background to the 1066 conflict and the reasons why William chose to invade.
We will then walk behind the castle to get an idea of what it was like for the Normans to approach Pevensey by sea.
Here we will discuss the events of 1066 leading up to the Norman landing before highlighting the differences between what the Normans expected in Pevensey and what they actually found.
We will then walk back to Pevensey Castle.
Entrance to Pevensey Castle is included and there will be some free time to explore the castle ruins.
We will then leave the castle and exit the site through the West Gate of the Roman walls. I will explain why William chose to leave Pevensey and make Hastings his base instead. We will see the old village green and will continue 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 behind we will continue through Westham village following the route taken by the Norman soldiers on the first leg of their journey to Hastings.
We will walk to a vantage point where we can look out over the countryside towards Herstmonceux and I will point out where they made camp for the first night. We will then make our way back towards the castle.
Next we will travel by private car to Battle passing through Herstmonceux and picking up the route walked by the Norman soldiers through Boreham Street, Ninfield and Catsfield. We will see the spot where local legend states William raised his standard. I will explain what William did in Hastings and why he was happy to wait for Harold to march south rather than marching to London.
We will begin the Battle part of our 1066 Battle of Hastings tour at a spot overlooking Caldbec Hill which new research suggests may be the actual site of the battle.
Here we can see Caldbec Hill which is acknowledged as the muster point for Harold’s Saxon army and also thought by some to be the Battle of Hastings site. 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 will walk to the position where Harold set his shield wall. We will then walk 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 have left your car at Pevensey car park transport will be provided back to your car. If you arrived by train you may prefer to make your return journey from Battle station.
1066 Battle of Hastings Tour (Pevensey and Battle)
Prices
price per tour (not per person)
£450 up to 3 people
£580 up to 5 people
£690 up to 7 people
(price includes entrance to Pevensey Castle and Battle Abbey but does not include lunch or refreshments)
If you are a single traveller please do ask if we can offer a reduction in price as this is sometimes possible.
To book a tour please use our booking form