Perched on England’s south-east coast, Hastings is the location of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Hastings is also a modern waterfront community with artisan shops, modern galleries and cutting-edge film festivals.

Things to do

Old Town Hastings remains the heart and soul of the community, seemingly frozen in time. Tiny weathered cottages and narrow passageways host cafes, art spaces, bakeries and antique shops. Stroll the seafront to find The Stade beach dotted with fishing huts and fishing trawlers bobbing off the docks.

Enjoy the family-friendly attractions on the Hastings waterfront, including the sparkling renovated pleasure pier. It hosts a restaurant, bar and rows of beach-hut kiosks selling trinkets, ice cream, snacks and beach gear. A short walk from the pier, Jerwood Gallery stands out with its contemporary black facade and modern art collections.

Visit the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum and the Shipwreck Museum to learn about maritime history, then meet regional sea creatures at Blue Reef Aquarium. You can also take the East Hill Lift to Hastings Country Park to enjoy nature trails, walking paths, woodlands and maritime cliffs.

Visit Battle Abbey to see the site of the Battle of Hastings, where you can tour the ancient stone abbey buildings and watch battle documentaries. Stop by Carr Taylor Vineyard and Estate for a day of wine tasting. Stroll the vineyard trail and tour the winery’s bottling room and presses.

Getting around

Transportation options in Hastings include trains, buses and taxis. You can rent a car in nearby Bexhill-on-Sea or at Gatwick Airport, 90 kilometres away.