The town has long held a close relationship with the sea, from its use as one of the medieval Cinque Ports to the thriving fishing fleets which still remain today. The three-mile seafront is home to Hastings Pier, two funicular railways and numerous colourful beach huts. Switch back and forth between historic gems and modern attractions to experience this quintessential English seaside town.
Visit the iconic Battle Abbey
You can’t visit Hastings without spending some time discovering its rich history. Start at the site of the infamous 1066 battlefields, finding the Harold stone where King Harold fell, before moving on to stunning ruins of the Benedictine Abbey, built by William the Conqueror to mark his victory. Walk the battlefield trail and discover beautiful wooden sculptures depicting both Norman and Saxon soldiers, and finish up on the gatehouse roof for amazing panoramic views of the Abbey ruins.
Step back in time to discover Hastings Castle
Hasting’s iconic castle, now an impressive ruin, sits high above the shoreline in the east of the town and is largely documented as Britain’s first Norman castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1067. From its prominent position visitors are treated to spectacular views of Sussex – perfect for a picnic with a view! To learn more about the castle and its history, visit the on-site cinema where the 1066 Story, a 20-minute film, will tell you all you need to know about this incredible piece of history.
Take a picnic to Alexandra Park
At 44 hectares, Alexandra Park is Hasting’s largest formal park, stretching for 2.5 miles through the heart of town. The park winds its way from the formal gardens at the bottom to the wilder areas of woodland in the north. The park is famed for its arboretum, and has one of the best tree collections in Britain – try the Tree Walk to see how many you can discover! Take a stroll by one of the reservoirs before flopping down in the grass and enjoying a well-earned picnic lunch whilst spotting all the different types of wildlife found here.
Take a ride on one of the 129-year-old Cliff Railways
Hastings has two funicular railways which link the sea-level promenade with the higher areas of the town. Aptly named East Hill and West Hill, the railways sit either end of town and provide a convenient way to scale the huge cliffs which back the beaches. The railways are the steepest in the United Kingdom, and on a clear day you can see out to Beachy Head in the west.
Step off the East Hill Railway into Hastings Country Park
Formed in 1974, this 345-hectare expanse of clifftops, deep glens, woods and nature sits to the east of Hastings, offering miles of beautiful walks, expansive views and secret areas to explore. The site is a designated nature reserve, and is home to The Bale House, a visitor centre and café constructed from straw bales. Climb to North’s Seat, the highest point in Hastings, which gives incredible views over Wealden Sussex, then delve deep into Ecclesbourne Glen to discover this moss-laden green oasis with hidden coastguard watch tower.
Explore the Smuggler’s Story at St Clement’s Caves
St Clement’s Caves were formed around 14,000 BC, during the last-known Ice Age. Over the years the caves have served as a home, hospital, air-raid shelter, and even a ballroom! There is so much history to these caves, and they provide the perfect setting to tell the dark and mysterious stories of smuggling and piracy which took place along the Sussex Coast in the 17th and 18th Centuries.
Head underwater at the Blue Reef Aquarium
The Blue Reef Aquarium is home to over 3500 aquatic animals and reptiles, all of which can be spotted during your underwater safari adventure! Take a trip through the aquarium to discover all about our own native waters, before heading to South East Asia for some freshwater fish. Look closely at the seahorses and pufferfish which inhabit the reefs of the South Pacific before returning to dry land and into the tropical Jungle Room to see what snakes, spiders and lizards you can spot. For the truly daring, get up close and personal with some deadly sea creatures in the Lethal Reef Tank… just don’t stick your hands in!
Walk 280m out into the sea on Hastings Pier
Originally built in 1872, Hastings Pier has undergone a number of structural changes over the years; one of the most significant being in 2016 when the new, award-winning pier reopened following substantial redevelopment and investment. The ‘new’ pier now hosts a restaurant, street-food kiosks, vintage fairs, exhibitions and regular family-friendly events.
Take a Self-Guided Foyle’s War Walking Tour
Fans of Foyle’s War will surely recognise Hastings as the home of DCI Christopher Foyle in the British detective drama series. Visit Croft Street (Steep Lane in the series) to see where DCI Foyle lived, and spy the steeple of St. Clement’s Church which appears in many background shots in the series. Copies of Foyles Hastings are available from the tourist information office, which will give you all you need to know about the area and where to look for those iconic shots!
Discover the Macabre at the True Crime Museum
Serial killers, gangsters, prisoners and poisoners make up just a small part of this grisly museum, dedicated to all things true crime. Hear confession tapes of notorious crime lords, discover forensic techniques and how they were used to catch murderers, and pose for a mugshot in the Hall of Shame! Wheelchair accessible and with your four-legged friends welcome, this is a place to discover the dark past of Hastings…
Things to do in Hastings Old Town
- Visit The Stade, Hastings’ famous shingle beach and home to the largest fleet of beach-launched fishing boats in Europe. Rows of colourful boats line the shores, and the tall black sheds of the Net Shops provide the background to this working fishing port. Whilst you’re there, keep an eye out for any events happening at the Stade Open Space, on Saturdays between May and October.
- Head to the Shipwreck Museum to discover numerous artefacts from the many ships wrecked in the English Channel. The museum also houses fossils found in the local area, and provides walking tours of nearby wrecks such as the Amsterdam and the Warship Anne.
- Visit the Hastings Contemporary, a museum of modern British art located on the Stade. The gallery houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions from artists including L.S. Lowry, Stanley Spencer and Prunella Clough.
- Discover all about Hastings’ maritime past at the Fishermen’s Museum. This small independent museum is dedicated to all things fishing, and is housed in the former Fishermen’s Church of St. Nicholas. The Museum is managed by the Old Hastings Preservation Society, and includes displays of model boats, photographs and pictures, whilst externally you can look inside one of the historic Net Shops.
- Celebrate all things British at the British Tea Museum. As well as housing an incredible café with an extensive menu of teas, the museum offers a ‘Teatime Masterclass’ which takes you on a journey through the social history of tea, lessons on teatime etiquette, tea tasting and how to prepare the perfect cup of tea.
- Explore the narrow passageways of the Twittens – these winding alleys link streets and lanes together, sided by half-timbered cottages and weather-boarded houses. Start at All Saints Street and work your way down these streets steeped in history.
- Go rock pooling on the beach at Rock-a-Nore. Situated just east of the Stade, this shingle beach gives a fantastic view of the cliffs which house Hastings Country Park.
- Feast your eyes on the weird and wonderful at Butler’s Emporium. This shop started out in 1832 as a hardware shop, and many of the original fittings have remained. The shop now sells a mixture of homeware, clothing and jewellery and is a great place to while away some time exploring this treasure-trove of crafted goods.
- Sample some ice cream at Di Pola’s Gelato shop. Tucked away in the Old Town, Di Pola’s is a mainstay of Hastings locals and visitors alike, who come to sample the incredible flavours dished out by this ice cream shop.
- Grab a drink at the FILO – First In, Last Out – one of the best pubs in Hastings. A real fire accompanies this pub during the colder months, making it a cosy place to enjoy a pint and some live music. The pub produces six of its own ales from its own microbrewery, and serves a wonderfully varied menu of food.
- Catch a vintage film at the Electric Palace cinema on the High Street. This independent community cinema shows a wide range of alternative films and hosts many film events. With a licensed bar and comfy seats, this is a great place to visit on a damp afternoon.
- Indulge in some incredible baked goods from the Judges Bakery (don’t worry – we won’t judge you!). Famous for their ooey-gooey brownies, the bakery produces home-baked goods by the dozen to tempt your sweet palette. Try a Roasted Cocoa Cookie, or their famous Mack-a-Rolls served throughout the summer (that’s a puff pastry stuffed with local smoked mackerel!). Alternatively, pick up a loaf of bread and head out into the sunshine for a well-deserved picnic.
- Sip on some coffee at Penbuckle’s Deli. This cosy tea-room is open 7 days a week and serves an extensive menu of teas, coffees, cakes and pastries. It’s next door to the Judges Bakery, so you can move seamlessly between the two!
- Pour a pint at the Crown pub in the heart of the Old Town. This independent free house sits nestled between the Old Town and Country Park, and serves modern British food as well as craft beers, local ales and specialist gins.
Best Places for Food in Hastings
All your sightseeing needs to be fuelled by something, so make sure you check out our top tips for food in Hastings.
- Check out Isabella’s for some tasty Turkish food, including mixed mezze plates of hummus, tzatziki, stuffed vine leaves, pita breads and halloumi. If you’ve got some room left afterwards, try the baklava and wash it down with some Turkish coffee.
- Have your traditional British fish & chips at Maggie’s – known as Hastings’ best fish & chip shop. Maggie’s has been going for over 20 years and serves only the freshest fish at her café on the Stade.
- Browse some books and indulge in some Thai food at Boulevard Bookshop on George Street. This unassuming building operates as a bookshop by day and Thai restaurant by night, offering some of the best Thai food in Sussex from this tiny shop.
- Have some dinner at the Rock A Nore Kitchen, set in the Tan House on the Stade. This building was formerly used to waterproof fish nets in a process known as tanning, and now houses the Rock A Nore Kitchen with a reputation for ‘boat to plate’ food using locally caught fish.
- Enjoy vegan junk food at The Hempist, a café and bar with chill-out vibes aplenty, along with ‘naughty’ vegan food including burgers, hot-dogs and kebabs.
- Relax in a stunning environment at the Albion pub, famous for its ‘proper pies’, real ales and beautiful décor. A prominent landmark since 1730, this incredible pub is well worth a visit.
More Things to do in Hastings
- Take in a round of golf – well, crazy golf – at Hastings Miniature Adventure Golf. Home to the World Crazy Golf Championships (yes, really!), this top-notch crazy golf course will have the whole family gearing up for some serious golfing competition.
- Soak up some culture at the White Rock Theatre, with events ranging from pantomimes (oh yes they do!) to live music, there is something for everyone at the heart of Hastings performing arts culture.
- Join a wine tour with Vine & Country, who partner with over 30 vineyards and breweries across Sussex and Kent to bring you the best in English Wine tasting. Tantalise your taste buds with hand-crafted wines, and indulge in the culinary delights of the South-East.
- Have a go at some target sports, including archery, axe-throwing and crossbow shooting. Compete against family and friends in one of their Experience packages, or brush up on skills with one of their bespoke courses.
- Take a ride on one of the trains at the Hastings Miniature Railway, situated in Alexandra Park. This 7 ¼ inch narrow-gauge railway has been delighting young and old for many years, and gives guests a unique view of the park.
- Go for a swim in the sea off one of Hastings’ many beaches. Most of the coastline around Hastings is safe for swimming, and there are two lifeguarded swimming spots between July and September at both St. Leonards Beach and Pelham Beach. Beach patrols patrol the length of the esplanade between The Stade and Seaside Road, making this a safe spot for dipping and building sandcastles alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Hastings a sandy beach?
Hastings is a predominantly shingle beach, except for low tides when the sand is exposed. This wide expanse of sand is perfect for beach games and sandcastles.
Is it safe to swim at Hastings?
Yes - there are two lifeguarded parts of the beach, and the wider area is patrolled throughout the summer to ensure safe bathing conditions for everyone.
What is there to do on Hastings seafront?
Hastings beach is filled with fun things to do, from adventure golf to colourful ice cream huts, amusements and even a small pleasure park!
What is there to do for free in Hastings?
Have a wander around the Old Town and explore the winding back streets and alleyways; visit Warrior Square and take in the stunning formal gardens, or visit the Hastings Art Gallery and Museum for some free local culture.
