Hastings - The Ultimate Guide to the Historic Seaside Town

Hastings is a charming seaside town situated amongst the rugged cliffs of the South Coast of England. The town's medieval past is known for its most historic event, the Battle of Hastings, and its unique maritime heritage.

Hastings is also packed with incredible natural beauty with its beaches and scenic cliffs that span for miles along the waterfront. There is so much to see and do in this East Sussex town, and in this post ill guide you through everything Hastings has to offer.

Hastings History

The most famous event in the history of the town was the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It was a significant moment in English history that resulted in the Norman victory and ultimately led to the Norman conquest of England.

After the Battle of Hastings, William's coronation as King of England took place and Hastings became the infamous town that played a huge role in one of the most significant battles in English history.

*Hastings historic waterfront buildings and beach during sunset*

During the medieval period, Hastings gained prominence as one of the Cinque Ports, one of five coastal towns that became designated ports in the South East of England. These Cinque Ports were established to provide naval support and trade services to the English Crown.

As a Cinque Port, Hastings contributed ships and men for the defense of the realm in exchange for privileges and exemptions. This period of Hasting's history saw the town's maritime and fishing industries flourish, making it one of the most powerful seaside towns in Southeast England.

In the 19th century, Hastings experienced an increase in popularity as a seaside resort. This was because of the construction of a railway line connecting Hastings to London. However, Hasting's economy was growing rapidly thanks to its huge increase in population and its huge fishing industry which remained its most significant source of prosperity.

Today, Victorian and Edwardian architecture still characterizes parts of the town, creating a medieval charm in modern Hastings.

Old Town

Hastings Old Town is set upon hilly winding streets and small alleys. The old town streets are charming and have the most aesthetically unique buildings in Hastings, with some landmarks like the All Saints Church dating back to the medieval period. However most buildings in the Hastings Old Town area are from the 19th Century, nonetheless, they are still beautiful and old enough that they offer a stark contrast to the rest of Hastings.

The area also has many shops and restaurants which are housed in these traditional buildings. There are plenty of small eateries, pubs, and restaurants in Hastings Old Town. It's also a great place for antique shops and bric-a-brac stores which make it feel even more authentically old. Overall Hastings Old Town managed to keep its historical charm intact while providing some great shops and restaurants, it's worth spending some time strolling these cobblestoned streets.

Hastings Beach

Hastings Beach is on the rustic side and is not the most idyllic. The beach is pebbled, and it is not the most comfortable to walk on or sunbathe on.

A cool feature of Hasting Beach is the boats and fishing equipment dotted around the beach.

*Ocean view of the English Channel and Hastings Beach*

You can see fishing boats, fishermen's nets, and equipment all over the beach. If you're not fussy about where you swim, then Hastings Beach is still a good place to sunbathe and have a swim; just don't expect water cleanliness from a tropical island.

One thing that does stand out is the beachfront promenade, the traditional British architecture and the hills in the distance make the beach a nice place to take a stroll or relax and take in the views.

Hastings waterfront and beach view during sunset

Hastings Castle

Hastings Castle sits atop an incredible cliff overlooking the picturesque town of Hastings and the scenic South Coast of England. It holds a pivotal place in British history with its origins dating back to the tumultuous years following the Norman Conquest of 1066 when William the Conqueror ordered its construction.

Hastings Castle was important to the events that led up to the Battle of Hastings, which marked an important turning point in British history. Over the centuries, it has undergone various renovations, alterations, and conflicts. Originally built as a timber structure while its most recent alteration was being converted into a stone fortress.

Today, the ruins of Hastings Castle are as beautiful as ever before. They allow us to experience the history of Hastings perched on a hillside overlooking the English Channel. It is easy to reach, within 15 minutes walk of the old town and tickets are reasonably priced at £11.25 per adult ticket. This site is a must for history buffs and those who love castle ruins and a deep dive into the past.

West Hill

The West Hill is a scenic viewpoint that sits above the town of Hastings. It offers beautiful views of Hastings Old Town and the English Channel. The walk up from the Old Town to the top of the West Hill is great. It is an easy path which is not difficult to navigate.

The West Hills funicular lift is another great way to reach the top of the hill and is more convenient if you are trying to reach the West Hill from the Waterfront. The West Hill Lift will bring you to the top of the viewpoint within a few minutes and it's an exciting way to travel up the hill.

Once you have reached the top of the hill you are presented with amazing photo opportunities and vast amounts of open green space to roam freely. It was one of my favorite spots to enjoy views of Hastings.

East Hill

Much like the West Hill, The East Hill is another photo opportunity that should not be missed. The East Hill presents the best views in all of Hastings, and photographers along with nature lovers will surely appreciate this site. From here you can see incredible scenic views of the old town with the West Hill overlooking it.

The walk takes quite a while to reach the top of the East Hill, but just like the east and West hills of Hill it can also be reached by the East Hill Cliff Railway, a funicular lift near the beach area. The East Hill Cliff Railway is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hastings. It is a great way to travel up the Hill especially if you're tired from strolling the beach and old town.

Alexandra Park

This meticulously landscaped park was originally designed in the Victorian era and is the largest park in Hastings at a gigantic 109 acres. Alexandra Park stretches 2.5 miles through the town of Hastings with its lush greenery, mature trees, vibrant flowerbeds, and scenic walking paths. The park is so large that it even hosts the Harmers Reservoir and Shornden Reservoir within its land.

Most of all Alexandra Park provides a tranquil place outside the Hastings town centre for both locals and tourists to spend some time in nature. It is a beautiful place to enjoy leisurely strolls, picnics, and recreational activities.

The park is set upon and the shape of the park hill is long and linear. It begins level and gradually climbs a slope in the direction of the town's North West side. So if you enjoy a challenging walk you can easily find it in the hilly landscape of Alexandra Park.

The park has a cafe, ponds, walking paths and sometimes hosts events within its grounds. It is an easy 10-minute walk from Hastings Town Centre to reach the entrance of the park, which means it's a convenient place to visit for nature enthusiasts to visit.

Battle Abbey and Battlefield Grounds

The Hastings Battle Abbey and Battlefield Grounds were once the location of the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066. A crucial point in British history and one of the defining aspects of Hasting's notoriety. William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II of England in this decisive battle, marking the Norman Conquest and the beginning of Norman rule in England.

To commemorate his victory, William ordered the construction of the Battle Abbey, which was completed in 1094. This magnificent abbey once served as a place of worship and a symbol of Norman authority. Although the original abbey no longer stands, the beautiful ruins of the abbey's church remain, allowing visitors to revisit this defining chapter in English history.

The 1066 Battlefield which is at the same location as the Battle Abbey is the actual Battleground for this infamous British war. The attraction allows visitors to walk the same ground where soldiers once walked whilst also educating visitors on the famous Battle of Hastings.

The 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey, and Battlefield are the same site, and entry tickets cover both attractions. Tickets cover entry to the 1066 Battlefield, visitor centre, abbey ruins, the walled garden, gatehouse exhibitions, and ice house and dairy. All sights offer different insights from interactive exhibits to historic ruins and overall the site is a great place to learn more about this famous turning point in British history.

Hastings Pier

Hastings Pier is quite different from piers in other seaside towns as it has been recently modernized and boasts a kind of minimalist aesthetic. The waterfront views from Hastings Pier are incredible and walking to the end of the pier allows you to see the whole waterfront with its colorful traditional British architecture.

The pier is also decorated with colorful beach huts, a cafe, and a restaurant. Some of the beach huts also serve as stalls that serve food and sell souvenirs. The pier is a nice addition to the seafront and offers some very enjoyable scenic views of the town, beach, and surrounding ocean.

Hastings Country Park

Hastings Country Park is a local nature reserve that covers 853 acres, making it the largest outdoor space in the Borough. This gigantic park boasts rugged cliffs that offer incredible views of the English Channel and the surrounding countryside.

Hastings Country Park is home to diverse habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and coastal cliffs. These provide a sanctuary for various species of wildlife and the park even has a herd of free-roaming Exmoor ponies.

The park's designated paths are popular with hikers and walkers because they provide an opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the area while learning about distinctive features like Castle Hill and Fairlight Glen.

Its hundreds of acres cover such a wide area of land that it even stretches over to East Hill, a famous hill in the town centre which is actually part of the Hastings Country Park. This is great as the park can be easily accessed from many areas in Hastings.

Places to Stay in Hastings

Hastings has a variety of places to stay, ranging from seafront hotels to countryside guesthouses, there are plenty of options in this historic town.

Booking.com

The town centre and waterfront hotels will usually get booked up during the summertime as Hastings is a seaside town many visitors flock here during the summer months. So remember to book hotels in advance if you are planning to visit Hastings during the summertime.

Jerwood Gallery - Hastings Contemporary

The Hastings Contemporary Art scene has been largely shaped by the Jerwood Gallery, a modern art gallery that opened in 2012. The Jerwood Gallery also known as Hastings Contemporary is a museum dedicated to bringing modern art to the seaside town.

Its ever-changing exhibitions display contemporary artists, while the gallery has also dedicated itself to educating visitors about the arts with its workshops. For anyone looking to explore the Hastings art scene, this is one of the best places to do it.

The Jerwood Gallery is a paid museum and ticket prices for workshops and exhibitions along with visitor information can be found on their website.

Visit the Town Centre

Hastings Town Centre is where you will find a majority of the shops and restaurants. The Priory Meadow is the main shopping mall in the town centre and it has many great high street shops. You can find most shops that you would find in other towns in the Priory Meadow mall and the surrounding town centre streets.

The town centre also has several great restaurants, ranging from British to Italian and Asian food. Hastings has a good variety of bars and pubs too, many of which can also be found in the town centre.

So if your looking for some great places to eat and shop the town centre is the place to visit.

Hastings Aquarium

The Hastings Aquarium offers visitors a chance to see local sea life and aquatic species from all over the world. Hosting over 40 displays of living creatures ranging from reptiles to sharks, means it is a great place to see a variety of wildlife.

There are multiple exhibits such as the Native Zone which displays fish from local waters, a Ray Tank where you can see Sting Rays, and an ocean tank which hosts large aquatic species like sharks.

The Hastings Aquarium is placed in a convenient location along the waterfront just below the Hastings East Cliff, so this could be a great addition to your day if you're looking to see some sea creatures without deep diving into the English Channel.

Shipwreck Museum

The Hastings Shipwreck Museum offers visitors a chance to experience Britain's fascinating maritime history. It has a range of antiques, models, and exhibits that tell the dramatic stories of nautical tragedies and the heroic efforts of those involved in rescue operations.

The Hastings Shipwreck Museum has a wide range of maritime memorabilia, from salvaged ship parts to personal items found on wrecked vessels. Displays and exhibits here are well put together and are an excellent way to learn about the many shipwrecks that have occurred along the unforgiving waters of the English Channel.

The Shipwreck Museum can be found along Hastings Beach and the admission is surprisingly free. However the Shipwreck Museum does rely on donations as it is free, they also have a gift shop if you feel like supporting them.

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

The Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is the go-to spot for creative minds and one of the best places in the city to enjoy the arts. It hosts several exhibitions and events, many of which are permanent. While also accommodating temporary exhibitions that can be found on their site.

Many galleries are available within the museum such as the Story of Hastings Gallery and the Seaside Gallery. These galleries allow visitors to learn more about Hastings and its origins. There are also many temporary exhibitions which can be checked through their website.

The best part about Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is that it is free entry plus free parking. This makes it super easy to visit. So if you're looking for free things to do in Hastings then visiting the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is a great option.

St Leonards on Sea

St Leonards on Sea is the place to go if you're looking for a quaint seaside town near Hastings. The picturesque seaside town was established in the early 19th century as a resort town for the aristocracy and was designed to have some of the most beautiful and decorative architecture in East Sussex. Today St Leonards on Sea has retained much of this Regency and Victorian architectural charm.

The town boasts an incredible seafront promenade, lined with elegant buildings, palm trees, and gardens, making it a perfect destination for seaside strolls and enjoying the sea breeze.

St. Leonards-on-Sea also features a range of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants, catering to the diverse tastes of its residents and visitors. The town is a perfect retreat for those looking for a more picturesque version of Hastings and a calmer environment than what Hastings offers.

I highly recommend visiting St Leonards on Sea especially if you enjoy beautiful architecture and scenic waterfront. St Leonards on Sea is part of the Borough of Hastings and can be easily reached by foot or public transport from Hastings. It only takes 30 minutes walk from Hastings or 4 minutes drive. So this is an easy place to visit if you're looking for an excursion.

Visit Rye

Rye is a beautiful seaside town also located within East Sussex and only a 30-minute drive from Hastings. Just like Hastings, Rye was also one of the Cinque Ports and had become famous for its Rye Harbour, a vital spot for military trade during medieval times.

Street view in the old town of Rye — *The old town of Rye*

The small seaside town is also known for its beautiful medieval architecture and cobblestoned streets. If you enjoy historic old towns then Rye is a worthy day trip from Hastings or maybe even an addition to your already existing trip to Hastings. I highly recommend visiting Rye especially if you are looking for unique things to do near Hastings.

Is Hastings UK worth visiting?

Yes, Hastings is a town of many great attributes, it has tons of nature, a great old town, a rich local history, and a huge waterfront.

Does Hastings have a nice beach?

This is quite subjective as the beach in Hastings is a pebble beach and is more on the rustic side. Meaning you will see things like old fishing boats and fishermen's nets lying around. I still thought the beach was nice in a unique way.

If you make your way down the beach away from the main tourist area the waterfront starts to clear up and looks a lot more tidy. Hastings Beach is not a tropical paradise but I did enjoy it as I got to see British fishing boats and Victorian architecture along the waterfront.

How to get to Hastings

London to Hastings by train is an easy journey. Direct trains depart from London Victoria Station to Hastings Railway Station, which is conveniently located in the town centre of Hastings. The train journey takes roughly 2 hours and returning from Hasting Railway Station to London Victoria is just as convenient.

Another option is visiting by car which I also recommend for car owners. The car journey takes roughly 2 hours from London and it gives you greater flexibility once you're there. Either mode of transport is a great way of reaching Hastings.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Hastings

Hastings has plenty of things to do, the town is packed with history and nature. It offers visitors a unique chance to experience a British seaside town which was one of the most important places in British history. Whilst also being able to experience the beautiful seaside charm that Hastings has to offer. Hastings is easily one of the best places to visit in East Sussex and it makes a great weekend getaway for just about anyone.