Medieval Battlefields in the UK
Period accommodation for those exploring Britain’s most famous medieval battlefields
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 website for further historical information and practical accessibility details.
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 website for further historical information and practical accessibility details.
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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. 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. |
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Bosworth
22nd August 1485. Location: Nr 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 was 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 now 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. |
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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 The Brickwall Hotel (built in 1597) in the neighbouring village of Sedlescombe. Information on both can be found by going straight to Battle’s entry at Booking.com |
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Shrewsbury
21st July 1403. Location: 2 miles NE of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The importance of the Battle of Shrewsbury perhaps lies in its being the first in which ranks of longbowmen fought each other on English ground. The Royal army under Henry IV prevailed against the rebels of Henry Hotspur Percy. There is some fairly good access on a pathway around the site, and it is thought that the church of St Mary Magdalene lies in a central position (this having been built at the request of the king only a few years after the battle). Period and Historic Hotels near Shrewsbury Battlefield: The closest accommodation to the site is undoubtedly Albright Hussey Manor - a beautiful Tudor property offering a total of 26 guest rooms, all individually furnished and decorated in keeping with the extraordinary listed building. There are also other heritage accommodation options in Shrewsbury itself including the Prince Rupert Hotel, Lion Hotel, and the Catherine of Aragon Suite. |
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Stamford Bridge
25th September 1066. Location: 8 miles east of York. How different might history have been had this battle never taken place. During early September of 1066, King Harold was situated in southern England, awaiting a possible invasion by William, Duke of Normandy. However, when news reached him of a Viking invasion at Scarborough, Yorkshire, he marched his army northwards to repel the force led by Harald Hadraada (the King of Norway). How much this victory (and the hundreds of miles of foot travel) took out of Harold’s forces we will never know. But it may have been enough to swing the balance in favour of Norman forces at Hastings only two weeks later. Alas, for such a significant event in British history, there is very limited access to the site of the battle itself. However, while it is not possible to reach the centre of the area, the eastern end is accessible via footpath. Period and Historic Hotels near Stamford Bridge Battlefield: Although there are a handful of more contemporary hotels close to the site, York offers by far the greater variety of historic places to stay including The Guy Fawkes Inn and Middlethorpe Hall. |
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Tewkesbury
4th May 1471. Location: 0.5 miles S of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire Fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York, the latter’s emphatic victory resulted in a period of relative peace under Edward IV. During the battle as many as 2000 Lancastrians are thought to have perished, many of them in an area known as Bloody Meadow. There is some access including a visitor trail and information boards. Period and Historic Hotels near Tewkesbury Battlefield: Unsurprisingly, most options for accommodation from centuries gone by are to be found in the town itself. The centrally located Tudor House Hotel is, as the name suggest, of that era while the timber-frame Bell Hotel is also of historical interest. Information on both is available at Tewkesbury’s entry at LateRooms.com. Also see our main Historic Hotels in Gloucestershire section |
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Towton Moor
29th March 1461. Location: Saxton and Towton, Yorkshire. This, without doubt, was one of the most bloody and vicious battles ever fought. Indeed, the very name of Towton Moor is enough to send shivers down the spine of any military historian. A decisive Yorkist victory, Towton was likely fought by in excess of 50,000 soldiers with perhaps as many as 30,000 casualties. In the annals of English history it certainly deserves more recognition as a pivotal point than it has been afforded in the past. There is some limited access, and we recommend visiting the Towton Battlefield Society for more information. Period and Historic Hotels near Towton Moor Battlefield: There are very few places to stay within the immediate vicinity with the exception of the superb Hazlewood Castle. Indeed, the battle took place almost directly to the south of the building - a structure first mentioned in the Domesday Book. |