Hastings

About

Two points of interest dominate the character of the bustling East Sussex town of Hastings – the sea and 1066. One of the medieval Cinque Ports, Hastings has long had a close relationship with the ocean, and although its fishing industry has declined, it still has Europe's largest beach-launched fishing fleet.

As for the Norman Conquests, Hastings is not the actual location of the famous battle in 1066. That exact spot is just a few miles down the road at Battle Abbey.

However, its legacy still colours the entire town. The remains of William the Conqueror's first English castle still stand today, though centuries of warfare and erosion have taken their toll.

Today the town offers a range of attractions for the short break visitor looking for what to do in Hastings. From Britain's steepest funicular, to the meandering alleyways of the Old Town, it's a great place to explore for a few days.

Things to do in Hastings

• Hastings Museum and Art Gallery  is one of the town’s hidden gems and houses the collection of the Brassey family, donated to the museum by Lord Brassey and his family, along with the magnificent Durbar Hall, constructed for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition held in South Kensington in 1886.  John Logie Baird was living in Hastings when he invented the television and a collection of his artefacts are on display from time to time at the museum. A family-friendly museum and art gallery, there are many events and workshops held here for all ages and interests. 
• Hastings Contemporary is sensitively and intuitively designed by HAT Projects to complement the surrounding environment, sitting amongst Hastings’s famous net huts, overlooking the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe, the gallery a reputation for its focus on painting and on Modern British art.  Look out for one of seven new artworks outside the gallery, that link the Sussex, Kent and Essex coast.  The other artwork in this area can be found outside De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill. 
• A symbol of the unique charm and character of Hastings, a trip on the East Cliff or West Cliff railway is a must on a visit a Hastings.  Visit Hastings Castle or Hastings Country Park – an area of outstanding natural beauty and site of special scientific interest. 
• Watch the small inshore boats as they come into shore, fisherman have landed their catch at The Stade for over 1000 years.  There are many quality eateries in Hastings, look out for the Hastings Fish logo to know you’re eating local!
• Find out about the area’s links to 18th century smuggling at the Smugglers Adventure at St Clements Caves or the sea at the Shipwreck Museum for tales of souls lost at sea. Enjoy an underwater adventure at Hastings Aquarium which has recently undergone a three month refurbishment.
• Looking for something a little different, then make a stop at the True Crime Museum, set in 3,000 sq/ft of seafront caves, it is the largest collection of crime memorabilia in the UK.

Things to do surrounding Hastings

• The town of Rye is a 20 minute drive or train journey from Hastings and is reputed to be the best preserved medieval town in the UK. The cobbled streets of Rye citadel is a photographer or artist’s dream and the Rye town model and story of Rye is a great introduction to your visit to the town. Winchelsea is a precious gem of a town, built on a hill just five minutes journey outside Rye, and has the third largest network of medieval wine cellars in England, as well as the beautiful St Thomas the Martyr church and monastery ruins. C J Sampson based his fictional town of Shinglesea in the novel ‘Dissolution’ on the town of Winchelsea. In the other direction a five minute drive or bus journey takes you to the 7 mile stretch of dunes at Camber Sands, East Sussex’s biggest sandy beach and a dream for kite surfers, kite buggiers or sand castle builders.
• Bexhill is just a short cycle ride or bracing seafront stroll from Hastings as far as elegant Bexhill, the birthplace of British motor racing. Bexhill Museum offers something for everyone from local history and archaeology to fashion and Bexhill’s motor heritage. Also don't miss a visit to the De La Warr Pavilion that sits just above the promenade on the seafront in Bexhill.
• Visit the nearby town of Battle and see the site of the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings at Battle Abbey.
• Spread your wings a little further and discover the beautiful Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest for the chance to walk, explore and enjoy the fresh air (18 miles away), or visit the picture perfect castle and Observatory and Science Centre at Herstmonceux (15 miles away)
• Pavensey is the landing place of William of Normandy and his troops before the Battle of Hastings. It also marks the start of the 1066 Country Walk.

Hastings also boasts a lively (and growing) arts scene. Every year their is an extensive program of events - see Whats on in Sussex, including Jack in the Green (May Bank Holiday), Pirates Day (July), Hastings Old Town Carnival Week (August), Coastal Current art festival (September) bringing together a stunning variety of works and performances, Hastings Week (Oct) finishing with the Hastings Bonfire Torchlight Procession, along with for food and wine lovers there's the annual food and wine festival (Sept 21).

The innovative, creative side to Hastings comes out in unexpected places. The seafront is now decorated with several impressive light displays – including the wonderful Sticks of Rock! 

Coach Parking in Hastings

Official coach parks are available at Falaise Road and Sea Road. Download your map here.

Set down/pick up points are provided in the Old Town on both sides of the A259, near to the boating lake.

Coach set down/pick-up points are located at Warrior Square (St Leonards), East Beach Street (Old Town), East Parade and Priory Road.

Pay and Display machines will be in operation at all sites with the exception of Sea Road (unlimited coach and bus parking 8am to 6pm everyday) where there will be no charge:

Falaise Road: 24 hour coach and bus unlimited parking everyday - £1.00 per hour
East Beach Street/East Parade: maximum stay 30minutes in a 2hour 30minute period - 50p per 30 minutes; 8am to 6pm everyday. Telephone 01424 451111 for more information.

Pevensey
Pevensey Castle car park.
£3.50 for four hours.

Rye
Rye railway station.
£14 all day.

Find a wealth of accommodation and places to stay in and around Hastings here or visit the official tourism destination website of 1066 Country.