Lonely Planet says there is more to Battle than the site of William the Conqueror’s 1066 victory.
It is the site of arguably the most famous military clash in British history but despite the Battle of Hastings’ place in our national consciousness it has been named in a list of Europe’s best ‘secret spot’ locations.
With its 11th-century Abbey and surrounding meadows, the small East Sussex town of Battle is already designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but Lonely Planet, the travel guide, says it is not considered as a potential destination on the staycation holiday itinerary.
“The Battle of Hastings may be well known as the bloody stand-off in 1066 that inspired the Bayeux tapestry, but few make the journey to see where it happened,” it says in its list of 50 “undiscovered and overlooked” destinations in Europe.”
As well as observing “evocative fields where the arrows flew”, visitors are encouraged to explore “the village’s deliciously quaint streets” and “the glorious Sussex countryside”.
Local residents and visitors will know that there is more to the town than simply the Abbey and battlefield.
Yesterdays World, opposite the Abbey, displays one of the finest collection of social history artefacts in the country. This year, to commemorate the centenary of World War I, visitors can imagine how it would have been to fight on the front by entering a replica trench which has been erected in the museum.
Continuing the theme, at the Battle Museum of Local History, there is an exhibition of local connections with the two world wars, including the story of Frank Hoad, one of the few soldiers to have been actually named in a World War I poem.
The perfect day out is completed by an exploration of Battle High Street.
The ‘twittens’ invite discovery of independent businesses, ranging from butchers to British designers, galleries to gift shops and there is a good range of award winning eateries and accommodation. If that’s not enough, the town is gearing up for the latest new event to slot into its busy annual programme. Plans for the Battle Arts & Music Festival (October 24 – 26) are well underway, with already an inaugural taster concert under its belt at Easter and another in the pipeline for July 19.
Make a date in your diary for 2016 when Battle and Hastings will be celebrating the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The annual re enactment of the Battle of Hastings takes place on October 11 & 12, 2014
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