Re-enactors on horseback paraded through Saffron Walden on their way to Audley End House last week (October 5).

They were re-creating the march that soldiers in 1066 made on their way to the Battle of Hastings, in recognition of the 950th anniversary of the clash.

Journeying 300 miles they have travelled from York and the East Midlands to the Fens and Cambridge, before stopping at Audley End House, and will now continue through London to Kent and Sussex next weekend, where their route finishes.

Once there they will re-enact the famous battle, on the exact date of the historic event (October 15 and 16), to hopefully engage people in British history and raise awareness.

Around 200 people and 80 schoolchildren came to Audley End House to welcome the marchers, where the onlookers were given flags of their choice – Saxon or Norman.

Saxon flags were narrow favourites of people who came along.

Emily Sewell, head of events at English Heritage, said: “What we wanted to do with this was to tell the story of 1066 across the country, using the journey to raise awareness of the anniversary.

“It’s gone really well, they have had an amazing reaction from people who feel special that their village has been part of the route.

“At Audley End it went brilliantly well, we had a lovely big group of school children to meet them and a speech where everybody cheered.”

Nigel Amos, who is leading the soldiers, gave the speech in which he thanked everybody and spoke about the history of Audley End and its relevance.

The soldiers stayed around for around two and a half hours, to have a break from travelling 20 to 23miles every day, parts of the way on foot.

Which re-enactors are walking and which are on horseback swaps around every so often.