Great arrow hunt launched to mark Battle of Hastings anniversary

To mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, 1,066 arrows have been hidden at castles and forts, stone circles and stately homes across the country, including Battle Abbey.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jun 2016, 16:09 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:04 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Giant arrow at the site of the Battle of Hastings SUS-160806-133142001Giant arrow at the site of the Battle of Hastings SUS-160806-133142001
Giant arrow at the site of the Battle of Hastings SUS-160806-133142001

Visitors to English Heritage sites in Sussex who find an arrow will win one of 1,066 prizes including a castle sleepover, a private tour of Stonehenge, and tickets to English Heritage’s re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings in October.

To launch the charity’s 1066 Arrow Hunt, English Heritage today (Thursday, June 9) unveiled a giant arrow at the Battle of Hastings battlefield.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kate Mavor, English Heritage’s chief executive, said: “1066 is the most famous date in English history and the Battle of Hastings was arguably the most important battle in our history, the results of which had consequences for every corner of England.

The giant arrow unveiled at the battle siteThe giant arrow unveiled at the battle site
The giant arrow unveiled at the battle site

“We’ve now hidden 1,066 arrows at our sites right across the country, including Sussex. Find an arrow and you’ll win a fantastic prize. And while you’re looking, you’ll discover the greatest sites in England, where history really happened.

“We’ve launched the hunt with a giant arrow on the very site where William beat Harold – a dramatic way to represent this turning point in history.”

The 1066 Arrow Hunt is just one part of English Heritage’s programme, 1066: Year of the Normans, to mark the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In July, it will open up the roof of the Great Gatehouse of William the Conqueror’s abbey, founded on the battlefield where King Harold died, giving visitors a whole new perspective on the Battle of Hastings.

SUS-161006-103113001SUS-161006-103113001
SUS-161006-103113001

And at the end of September, English Heritage will re-create the march of King Harold’s army from Yorkshire where Harold defeated an invading Norwegian force to the town of Battle and his decisive encounter with the Normans on October 14, 1066.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @RyeObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:EnglandEnglish HeritageSussex