1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
School Trips @ English Heritage
Important update from English Heritage
In line with government guidelines, our staffed sites remain closed in the interests of public health. It is now clear that we will not be able to re-open on 1 May as we had originally hoped. Instead we will re-open as soon as government advice allows and only when we can ensure the safety of our visitors and our staff and volunteers.
Book a free visit to 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield for a day of self-exploration of the site to suit your curriculum needs. See the site of this famous battle and imagine what it was like to be a Norman charging across the battlefield or how it felt to be part of the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. Plus, use our new Discovery Chest to explore Battle Abbey and learn about the lives of the monks who lived and worked there, with learning activities and replica objects.
For a hands-on, immersive experience, book a Discovery Visit workshop led by one of the site experts at 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield. At just £100 per session for up to 30 pupils these workshops offer quality learning experiences outside of the classroom:
• CONQUEST TOUR AND TALES (KS2-3) £100 per class, session lasts 1 hour
• 1066 BATTLEFIELD GCSE TOUR (KS4) 100 per class, session lasts 1½ hours
Once you have booked your school trip, you are entitled to a free planning visit, to familiarise yourself with the site and see all that it has to offer. Download the free Teachers’ Kit from the English Heritage website for everything you need to plan a successful trip: with site details, historical information and activities to support learning before, during and after your visit.
Why book English Heritage for School Trips and Educational Visits?
Bring learning to life outside of the classroom. Children can explore and learn for themselves at a ‘real’ historical site, developing their enquiry skills and independence, as well as key historical knowledge.
A visit to 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield is ideal for education groups of all ages and abilities, and with downloadable learning resources and hazard information, and free on-site resources, it’s easy to plan a visit with your group in mind.
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
Performing Arts
Bring the action of the Battle of Hastings to life on the site of the Battlefield. Use the script in the downloadable Teachers’ Kit available from the English Heritage website, divide your class into Normans and Saxons, and let the battle commence!
Religious Education
Curriculum topics available: Christianity.
Established after the Norman Conquest, Battle Abbey was a symbol of Norman Christianity, and a penance for the bloodshed of the Conquest. Use the on-site handling collection to investigate the lives of the monks who would have lived and worshipped at Battle Abbey.
Saxons
Discover the story of Harold Godwinson, last Anglo Saxon king of England, and the events leading up to his defeat at the Battle of Hastings. Enhance learning with an expert-led Discovery Visit Workshop, and hear the story of 1006 from an Anglo-Saxon story-teller in CONQUEST TOUR AND TALES (KS2-3).
Medieval
Follow William the Conqueror’s journey leading to the Battle of Hastings, and discover what he did after winning the battle. Enhance learning with an expert-led Discovery Visit Workshop: tour the battlefield and learn about the events of the Norman Conquest in CONQUEST TOUR AND TALES (KS2-3). For older students, book a 1066 BATTLEFIELD GCSE TOUR (KS4) to give your students a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Battle of Hastings.
Human Geography
Curriculum topics available: Settlement and land use.
Explore the reasons why the Battle of Hastings took place here, and investigate key geographical features of the site that might have influenced the location of the battle and its outcome.
What activities are available during group visits?
Cover a range of topics across the key stages:
KS1 History: Events beyond living memory that are significant nationally. Significant historical events, people and places in the locality
KS2 History: A local history study. Edward the Confessor and his death in 1066. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
KS2 Geography: Human geography: types of settlement and land use, why did the battle take place here?
KS2 Religious Studies: Religion in daily life, why was an abbey built on the site and who lived there?
KS3 History: A local history study. The Norman Conquest. Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
KS3 Geography: Human geography: understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes
KS4 History: OCR History A: Study of the historic environment; OCR History B: History around us, British depth study, The Norman Conquest 1060 - 1087; AQA Section B: British depth study including the historic environment, Norman England; Edexcel Paper2B1: Anglo Saxon and Norman England 1060 - 1088
KS5 History: OCR Unit Y102/Y132: Anglo Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035 - 1107; AQA Unit HIS2A: Conqueror and Conquest c 1060 - 1087; Edexcel Paper 2, Option 2A.1: Anglo Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom c1053 - 1106
For a hands-on, immersive experience, book a Discovery Visit workshop led by one of the site experts at 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield. At just £100 per session for up to 30 pupils these workshops offer quality learning experiences outside of the classroom:
• CONQUEST TOUR AND TALES (KS2-3): meet an Anglo-Saxon story-teller and hear tales of Norman power and English rebellion. See the site of the battlefield, re-enact the action, and learn how the dramatic events of 14 October 1066 had such an impact on England.£100 per class, session lasts 1 hour.
• 1066 BATTLEFIELD GCSE TOUR (KS4): give your students a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Battle of Hastings.100 per class, session lasts 1½ hours.
What size groups do you cater for?
We accept groups of all sizes to the site, but there is a limit on the total capacity and access is on a first come first served basis. If you would like to book one of our Discovery Visit workshops, these are limited to a maximum of 30 pupils per session.
Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?
No
Is there first aid on site?
Yes
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Yes - for more information, please visit
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Yes - please confirm requirements for members of your group with additional needs when making your booking
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Need more inspiration?
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