The Abbey Today
The Abbey was purchased by the Government in 1976, by the Department of the
Environment at auction. The mansion has been leased to Battle Abbey school since
the end of the First World War and they still occupy it to this day.
The church itself was completed around 1094 and was probably the first Norman
church to be built in England. Not much remains above ground of this church
or it's 13th century re-construction, the whole building having been destroyed
at the time of the Dissolution. There is a piece of the south aisle of the nave,
and the south-west angle almost to it's full height.
The fine gatehouse is in perfect condition with it's twin turreted towers,
vaulted entrance and separate doors for cart and pedestrian traffic. On each
side are later buildings on the site of older ones. To the east, was the Court
Hall and to the west was, and still is, the Porter's Lodge.
Novice's room at the south end of the dorter range
From the gatehouse it is but a short walk to the Abbot's Lodging, now the principal part of the school. Careful
rebuilding has given the overall picture of a Medieval setting, but the only
original features on this side are the hood-mouldings of the great windows which end in corbel-heads.
Foundations of three of the five crypt chapels
The foundations of three of the five crypt chapels can be seen and the novice's room at the south end of the dorter range
is in good condition. The monk's common room with it's fine vaulting is
at the north end of the dorter range. The dorter range has no roof, but is in
good condition and is a fine example of Norman building.
South end of the dorter range
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