We were keen to get out of the city and explore some of the easy to reach beaches near London, so we jumped in the car and headed straight to Hastings. Known for its dramatic cliffs and old school coastal charm, we couldn't wait to explore everything it had to offer.
Things to Do in Hastings
Explore the Historic Old Town
Start your morning by getting lost in the narrow, winding alleys of Hastings Old Town (which the locals call "twittens"). The streets are tightly packed with beautiful black-timbered fishing cottages, independent vintage clothes shops, local art galleries, and quirky antique dealers. It genuinely feels like stepping back in time.
Head down to the Stade the town's historic fishing quarter and step inside the Hastings Fishermen’s Museum. This attraction is housed inside an old church and is completely free to enter. You can walk right up to traditional lugger boats, see vintage maritime gear, and learn about the coast's long fishing history.
Treat Yourself to Seaside Ice Cream
No trip to the East Sussex coast is complete without a classic treat. Grab a massive scoop of local dairy ice cream from one of the independent parlours right along the seafront to fuel your coastal walk.
Climb Up to the Hastings Castle Ruins
Next, make your way up West Hill to explore the historic Hastings Castle ruins.While you do have to pay a small admission fee to get inside the grounds, the ticket price is absolutely worth it. You get to walk through the remains of Britain's very first Norman castle built by William the Conqueror after 1066, and take in the most incredible panoramic views across the pier and the English Channel.
Ride the East Hill Lift to the Top of the Cliffs
For the best vantage point in town, take a ride on the iconic East Hill Lift. It is the steepest funicular railway in the UK and takes you from sea level right up to the rugged cliff tops. We went up to explore the top of the cliffs and spent ages just taking in the stunning panoramic coastal views.
Where We Ate: The Conquerors March
For dinner, we headed over to The Conquerors March, a brilliant family friendly pub and restaurant on the edge of town. We opted for their fantastic Weekend Treat Menu, which scores you a full 3-course meal for just £25, an absolute bargain!
Here is what we ordered:
The Starter: Garlic & Cheddar Baked Mushrooms - sautéed button mushrooms swimming in a creamy garlic cheese sauce, topped with melted mature Cheddar and Mozzarella pearls, served with warm toasted focaccia.
Next, make your way up West Hill to explore the historic Hastings Castle ruins.While you do have to pay a small admission fee to get inside the grounds, the ticket price is absolutely worth it. You get to walk through the remains of Britain's very first Norman castle built by William the Conqueror after 1066, and take in the most incredible panoramic views across the pier and the English Channel.
Ride the East Hill Lift to the Top of the Cliffs
For the best vantage point in town, take a ride on the iconic East Hill Lift. It is the steepest funicular railway in the UK and takes you from sea level right up to the rugged cliff tops. We went up to explore the top of the cliffs and spent ages just taking in the stunning panoramic coastal views.
For dinner, we headed over to The Conquerors March, a brilliant family friendly pub and restaurant on the edge of town. We opted for their fantastic Weekend Treat Menu, which scores you a full 3-course meal for just £25, an absolute bargain!
Here is what we ordered:
The Starter: Garlic & Cheddar Baked Mushrooms - sautéed button mushrooms swimming in a creamy garlic cheese sauce, topped with melted mature Cheddar and Mozzarella pearls, served with warm toasted focaccia.
The Main Event:
A premium, perfectly seared Pub Steak served alongside a roasted beef tomato, a flat mushroom, and a mountain of fluffy, chunky skin-on chips.
A premium, perfectly seared Pub Steak served alongside a roasted beef tomato, a flat mushroom, and a mountain of fluffy, chunky skin-on chips.
The Pudding:
A classic, decadent Ice Cream Sundae layered with rich chocolate and vanilla dairy ice cream, whipped cream, and sweet dessert sauces. Getting three massive, delicious courses for twenty-five quid easily solidified that incredible 9/10 Food Shaz Score!
A classic, decadent Ice Cream Sundae layered with rich chocolate and vanilla dairy ice cream, whipped cream, and sweet dessert sauces. Getting three massive, delicious courses for twenty-five quid easily solidified that incredible 9/10 Food Shaz Score!
Accommodation & Our Free Parking Hack
Instead of paying ridiculous premium rates for a boutique hotel right on the water, we crashed at the Premier Inn located right near the main shopping centre.
Booking a town centre Premier Inn rather than a luxury seafront room is our ultimate budget travel hack. But here is the real money saver: we filled up on a massive breakfast at the Premier Inn the next morning, and they let us leave our car safely parked in the hotel lot for the day while we went out to explore! It meant zero parking fees and zero stress about finding a space near the beach.
Check out my instagram reel for my Hastings trip: www.instagram-shazinlondon
THE SHAZ SCORE
🥞 Food — 9/10
💷 Value — 8/10
✨ Vibe — 9/10
📍 Location — 10/10
❤️ Would I return? — Absolutely
⭐ OVERALL SHAZ SCORE: 8.5/10
