Hastings East Sussex An Introduction To British History
Hastings - East Sussex and the surrounding area and villages is positively brimming with fascinating evidence of some of the most dramatic and intriguing events in English history. There are a lot of things to do in and around hastings that will have everyone in the whole family absorbed with history and its twists and turns.
You cannot visit Hastings and the surrounding area, without finding yourself in the little village of Battle. In the year 1006, this was the site of probably the most dramatic battles of British history and would change England irrevocably. It was here that the Norman conquest of England came to a bloody end with King Harold II of England being convincingly defeated by Duke William of Normandy, who is now better known to the world as William the Conqueror.
Today you can visit the site of the famous battle and walk in the footsteps of the Norman and English soldiers. There are tours of the area where the battle took place that can relive the bloody day vividly for you and you will walk away and expert on British history. Following the victory Battle Abbey was constructed and the town grew up around it.
Hastings Castle in Hastings was the first Norman castle built in England and has been a strategically important location in the defense of England throughout history. Nearby Pevensey Castle is also interesting. It was built by William the Conqueror's half brother up the site of a Roman fortress.
A more modern addition to East Sussex's castles is Herstmonceux, which was built in the 15th century. This is a magnificent moated castle and it is set amongst Elizabethan gardens that make a fascinating place to wander around and soak up the English countryside.
For a fun and spooky adventure visit the St. Clements caves in Hastings. This is the location of a tour known as Smuggler's Adventure. Here you can walk the hundreds of years old tunnels that were used to stash away smuggled contraband that arrived from the continent and to hide out from government officials. This is a side of history that you do not often get to see and it is done with most knowledgeable and evocative guides imaginable.
Hastings - East Essex is a historical hot bed, that offers visitors a juicy feel for history that no text book could ever come close to replicating. If you want to learn all about British history in a thrilling and lively way, then you must visit Hastings.
