Page 82 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

80  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

the clash that transformed English
history in 1066. The square is
dominated by the gatehouse of
Battle Abbey, founded by William
the Conqueror to give thanks
for his victory and to supposedly
atone for the blood that had
been spilled. The abbey was
closed in the Dissolution (see p36),
and is mostly a ruin. From the
gatehouse visitor centre, a well-
marked walk takes visitors around
Bridge leading to the main entrance of the imposing 14th-century Bodiam Castle the ruins and the battlefield.
o Bodiam Castle the unique tall wooden “net T Battle Abbey
shops” on the beach, where for High St, Battle. Tel 01424 775705.
Near Robertsbridge, East Sussex. Open Easter–Sep: 10am–6pm daily;
Map E2. Tel 01580 830196. 3 Battle hundreds of years fishermen Oct: 10am–5pm daily; Nov–Mar: 10am–
then taxi. Open 10:30am–5pm daily. have stored their nets. 4pm Sat & Sun; mid-Feb: 10am–4pm
Closed 24 & 25 Dec. & 7 limited. In the 19th century, the area daily; late Feb–Easter: 10am–4pm
- = ø ∑ nationaltrust.org.uk west of the Old Town was built
as a seaside resort. Further east, Wed–Sun. Closed 1 Jan & 24–26 Dec.
& 9 7 - = œ ∑ english-
Surrounded by its wide moat, the characterful streets of the heritage.org.uk
this castle, with its portcullis, old fishermen’s quarter have
spiral stair cases and battlements, remained intact. On either side
is one of the most romantic in of the Old Town there are “cliff
England. It was begun in 1385 for railways”, or funiculars, to the tops
knight Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, of West Hill and East Hill, which
who was given permission to offer superb views. At the top of
build it by King Richard II because West Hill are the ruins of Hastings
it was thought it would help Castle, built by William the
defend Sussex against French Conqueror soon after his victory
invasions. The castle saw action at Battle. As well as the ruins,
during the Wars of the Roses in visitors can see an audiovisual
1483 and again during the Civil display, “The 1066 Story”. Further
War in 1643–4, after which down the hill, the Smugglers
Parliamentary soldiers removed Adventure exhibit evokes the
its roof to prevent it from being world of 18th-cen tury smugglers.
used by Royalist troops. Since
the 19th century it has been + Hastings Castle Steep West Hill cliff railway heading up
preserved and restored as a ruin. West Hill. Tel 01424 422964. Open to Hastings Castle at the top
Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily. & =
Environs ∑ smugglersadventure.co.uk
To the east is Great Dixter, a E Smugglers Adventure a Eastbourne
15th-century manor restored in St Clement’s Caves, West Hill. Tel 01424 East Sussex. Map D2. * 105,000. 3
1910. The late Christopher Lloyd 422964. Open mid-Feb–Easter: 10am– @ n Cornfield Rd; 01323 415415.
created a lovely garden here. 4pm daily; Easter–Oct: 10am–5pm daily. ∑ visiteastbourne.com.
& = ∑ smugglersadventure.co.uk
P Great Dixter With its pier and beachside
Northiam, near Rye. Tel 01797 252878. Environs promenade, Eastbourne is a
Open House: late Mar–Oct: 2–5pm Just 11 km (7 miles) from the classic Victorian seaside resort.
Tue–Sun. Garden: 11am–5pm Tue–Sun. town of Hastings is Battle, built as It is also the starting point of the
Nursery Garden: open all year. & 7 its name suggests on the site of South Downs Way (see pp86–7),
limited. - = ∑ greatdixter.co.uk
Battle of Hastings
p Hastings In 1066, William the Conqueror and his
invading army from Normandy landed
East Sussex. Map E2. * 90,000. 3 @ at Pevensey near Eastbourne, aiming to
n Aquila House; 01424 451111. ( take Winchester and London. Hearing
Fri. ∑ visit1066country.com Battle of Hastings, Bayeux Tapestry that the Saxon King Harold and his
army were camped near Hastings,
This fascinating seaside town William confronted them there on 14 October. He won the battle
was one of the first Cinque Ports after Harold was mortally wounded. This last successful invasion of
(see p36) and is still a thriving England is depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry, which is kept in France.
fishing port, as illustrated by
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp174–5 and pp185–6

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