Named after the Battle of Hastings, the most famous conflict on English soil, this compact market town grew up alongside the battleground, tranquil medieval abbey and surrounding ancient woodlands – largely unchanged to this day.

Battle Abbey was founded to commemorate the battle, and was dedicated in 1095. The high altar of the Abbey church was reputedly on the spot where Harold died. The Abbey gateway is still the dominant feature of the south end of the main street, although little remains of the rest of the Abbey buildings. The remaining cloisters, part of the west range, were leased to Battle Abbey School shortly after World War I, and the school remains in occupancy to this day.

The town of Battle developed a reputation for the quality of the gunpowder produced in the area. The first gunpowder mill in Battle was built in 1676 when John Hammond was granted permission to build a mill on land owned by the Abbey. A gunpowder works were located in Powdermill Lane – the remains of which have been converted into a hotel.