1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
Battle, East Sussex
The field where the Battle of Hastings was fought, with a mile of open battlefield to walk with your dog and an audio tour in your ear.
You can walk the actual battlefield here, which is what makes it worth the money. William the Conqueror's Normans met Harold's English army on this ground in 1066, and the abbey was founded soon afterwards, supposedly on the exact spot where Harold fell.
Whilst you follow the audio tour round the field, tracing where the Normans advanced, explore the abbey ruins and climb to the gatehouse rooftop, your dog gets a big, gently sloping open field with hedgerow edges and a pace that suits them, because the audio tour means you will be walking it slowly rather than marching round. Sheep often graze the battlefield, so expect plenty of interest and keep the lead short.
Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site, which covers both the abbey ruins and the battlefield walk. Parking is free for members in the large car park by the entrance, and there is a café by the gatehouse. At £17 an adult it is one of the pricier sites, but the battlefield walk is long enough to make a half day of it rather than an hour.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £17.00 adult
- £8.50 child · £42.50 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Museum, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 0370 333 1181
- Parking
- Parking, including disabled visitor parking, is available in the large car park near to the entrance castle. Parking is free for members , please scan you membership card at the machine. New members with a temporary card will need to collect a voucher from the shop during opening hours and validate it a the machine. Parking charges apply to non-members: £4 Maximum stay of 6 hours for all users of the car park.
English Heritage Membership
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Entry here is £17.00 for an adult. English Heritage Membership covers it, along with free entry to 170+ dog friendly attractions across England.
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield dog friendly?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site, including the abbey ruins and the battlefield walk. It makes for a genuinely enjoyable outing with a dog — the battlefield is a large, gently sloping open field with hedgerow edges, and the pace of the audio tour means you'll be strolling rather than rushing, which suits most dogs well.
Are dogs allowed at 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield year round?
The listing confirms dogs on leads are welcome across the site, though no specific seasonal restrictions are mentioned. It's worth noting that sheep often graze the battlefield, so conditions on the ground can vary depending on the time of year.
What should I know before visiting 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield with my dog?
Dogs must be kept on leads throughout the site, and with sheep regularly grazing the battlefield, you'll want to keep the lead short in those areas. Admission is £17 per adult, though parking is free for members (non-members pay £4 with a six-hour maximum stay), and there's a café by the gatehouse if you need a break mid-visit.
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