DIY UK Battlefield Tours: Accommodation near Bannockburn, Culloden, Bosworth

�Do-it-yourself� battlefield tours are increasingly popular. However, anyone intending to do so without in-depth knowledge is strongly advised to consult reputable guidebooks or documents in order that they gain the best possible experience during their visit. Nights In The Past is not a tour operator and our aim instead is simply to help travellers find historic accommodation as close as possible to the intended destination.

There are a great number of battlefields throughout the British Isles, and it would be difficult to supply exhaustive information on all of them. As such, we have highlighted a number of those which have the highest historical profile.

We highly recommend visiting the Battlefield�s Trust for further historical information and practical accessibility details.

Bannockburn

24th June 1314. Location: 2 miles to the south of Stirling, Scotland.

The Battle of Bannockburn is thought to have lasted around two days, but its importance to Scottish identity has endured for centuries. Led by Robert the Bruce, the Scottish defeated a vastly larger English force led by Edward II - a victory which reversed the previous losses to Edward I and proved pivotal in the Wars of Scottish Independence.

The Bannockburn heritage centre is open from the 2nd March to 31st October, daily 10�5.30. The grounds, meanwhile, are open until dusk daily.

Period and Historic Hotels near Bannockburn Battlefield: There are a number of hotels in and around the town of Stirling. These include The Golden Lion which dates back to the late 1700�s and includes Robbie Burns in its illustrious list of former guests. The Barcelo Highland Hotel is another popular place to stay - a former school building dating back to 1854, it offers four star accommodation and a total of 96 guest rooms.

Also within easy reach is Airth Castle. A truly ancient old fortress, parts of the building are likely to date to the time of the battle itself. Indeed, Airth is one of the oldest places to stay anywhere in the UK, let alone Scotland. It offers 12 individually furnished rooms, and a pool and spa. Glenskirlie House and Castle will also appeal to those who might like to stay in romantic surroundings. It offers 15 distinctly different rooms and boutique-style accommodation.

Bosworth

22nd August 1485. Location: 3 miles south of Market Bosworth, Leicestershire

Undoubtedly one of the most significant historical events in English history, The Battle of Bosworth Field saw the end of the Plantagenet era and the beginning of the Tudor. Despite greater numbers, the army of Richard III were defeated by the rebel forces of the future Henry VII in little over 2 hours.

It should be noted that the exact location of the battle is a matter of contention. However, visitors to the heritage centre will be able to interpret historical accounts and form their own opinion. This is open to visitors from November to March 10am to 4pm, and April to October 10am to 5pm. Closed January and Christmas between December 24th and 27th.

Period and Historic Hotels near Bosworth Battlefield: Bearing the same name and little more than a mile from the site, Bosworth Hall Hotel is a beautiful William and Mary country house. It offers over 190 rooms and a leisure club. Also nearby is the Royal Arms in the village of Sutton Cheney. A traditional inn which has been restored over recent years, it offers 18 chalet-style rooms adjacent to the inn itself.

Culloden

16th April 1746. Location: 5 miles to the east of Inverness, Scotland

The final land battle to be fought in Britain, Culloden saw the end of the Jacobite Rising and the exile of Charles Edward Stuart. The battlefield is accessible all year round, while the visitor�s centre is open 1st February to 31st March 10am to 4pm, and 1st April to 31st October from 9am to 6pm. It is closed during January, and from 24th to 26th of December.

Period and Historic Hotels near Culloden Battlefield: Not to mention Culloden House Hotel would be foolish. After all, it was on the site that Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his final night before defeat at the battle and fleeing into exile. This beautiful building offers 28 individually furnished guest rooms and award-winning hospitality.

Although Art Deco in design, the listed Macdonald Drumossie Hotel is also in nearby Inverness. The 200 year old Glendruidh Hotel is within easy reach, as is Kingsmills Hotel - four star accommodation built in 1786 and visited by Robbie Burns.

Flodden

9th September 1513. Location: Branxton, Northumberland.

The border between England and Scotland has witnessed a few notable battles over the centuries, but Flodden is probably the most renowned. It was here that a numerically superior Scottish force of around thirty five thousand were crushed by an English army under Earl Surrey. Indeed, James IV of Scotland was killed in action along with numerous nobles. There is some limited access, with good views of the site from the monument at Piper�s Hill.

Period and Historic Hotels near Flodden Battlefield: Most of the closest accommodation to Flodden is within the famous little town of Coldstream just over the border in Scotland. These include The Castle Hotel and Plough Hotel. However, on the English side of the border and within easy reach of the site one finds Tillmouth Park Country House. Dating from 1882 (but with a history dating much further back) it offers 14 guest rooms including some with four poster beds. The Collingwood Arms in Cornhill on Tweed is a splendid Georgian building which has been recently refurbished (2007).

Hastings

14th October 1066. Location: Battle, East Sussex.

Quite probably the most well known battle to be fought in England, the name is actually deceptive - the location is closer to the small town of Battle rather than Hastings. The visitor centre is open 1st April to September 30th 10am to 6pm, and 1st October to 31st March 10am to 4pm.

Period and Historic Hotels near Hastings Battlefield: There are a fair number of traditional hotels and inns in this part of East Sussex, but those closest to the site are to be found in and around the small town of Battle itself. Powdermills is a fine 18th century building located in over 100 acres of parkland. It offers 40 rooms and is within minutes of the 1066 ground. Also close by is Leeford Place - a pretty country house hotel - and The Brickwall Hotel (built in 1597) in the neighbouring village of Sedlescombe.

There are also plenty of period properties offering a variety of accommodation types in Hastings itself (approximately 4 miles away) including Bannatyne Spa Hotel (Georgian) and the Royal Victoria Hotel (built in 1828 and visited by the queen of the same name).

Marston Moor

2nd July 1644. Location: Long Marston and Tockwith, 5 miles west of York.

Marston Moor is arguably only eclipsed by Towton (see next page) in terms of sheer carnage, and can also claim to have been the largest battle ever fought in Britain. A victory for Parliamentarian forces, Marston proved pivotal in the English Civil War.

The most important facet of the terrain today is that it is largely identical to how it would have been in 1644. Indeed, the so-called Fox covert where the final scenes of the battle took place is still in existence and almost wholly unaltered. While access onto the agricultural land is very limited, the visitor can still access the central part of the battlefield along the road between the two villages. It is here that the monument is situated.

Period and Historic Hotels near Marston Moor Battlefield: Anyone seeking a range of options for period accommodation in the area would be advised to view the selection of such hotels and inns for the city of York by clicking here.

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