What to see and do in Hastings Old Town, East Sussex

Hastings Old Town in East Sussex is my favourite local seaside town. Slightly bohemian, and incredibly artsy, the old town comes with oodles of quirk. Its muddle of houses, shops and pubs sit tucked between two cliffs a fifteen-minute walk east of Hastings main town.

Slightly worn in places, Hastings Old Town has a wealth of character and a welcoming community feel. It’s small enough to explore on foot but there’s enough to keep you busy for a weekend. Read on for the best things to do in Hastings Old Town…

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Hastings is easy to get to from London on the train and takes around 1.5 hours and makes a great day trip for kids. Vice versa, if you’re visiting London from Hastings you’ll find loads of things to do in London with kids.

The Stade, Hastings Old Town

Start at the Stade. The shingle beach, called the Stade, is home to Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet. Stade is the old Saxon word for landing place and it’s where you’ll see Hastings’ working fishing boats, the net huts and the Fisherman’s Museum.

Nearby are stalls selling freshly caught fish, winkles, cockles, shrimp and other locally caught seafood. I always buy a pot of cockles and load it with vinegar – delicious!

Tip: Guard your seafood carefully. The seagulls have become incredibly canny at whipping them from your hand. They even employ diversion tactics where one gull will distract you whilst the other pinches your pot of prawns. You’ve been warned!

>>> Looking for somewhere to stay in Hastings? Check rates and availability

Hastings Net Huts

You can’t miss the net huts on The Stade. About thirty towering wooden sheds with pitched roofs gather together on the shingle. The grade II listed black sheds were built to house fishing gear which, before the days of plastic, would rot away if left in the open.

The sheds’ lofty stature was due to lack of space on the small beach so they were built upwards instead of outwards and tarred for weather-proofing.

Some of the huts sell freshly caught fish or you can buy it from the kiosks opposite the Stade or from the fishermens’ huts on the beach. You can’t buy much fresher and it has no carbon footprint. 

>>> Check out our Sussex Smokie recipe – a traditional Sussex recipe made with locally caught smoked haddock.

Hastings Fisherman’s Museum

Learn more about the huts and the history of fishing in the area at Hastings Fisherman’s Museum which is in the old church on the Stade. The last surviving Hastings sailing lugger, The Enterprise, is installed inside.

Nearby is the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Shipwreck Museum. The museum is open 364 days a year, and admission is free, although donations are welcomed.

Hastings Beach

Walk to end of Rock-a-Nore through to the other side of the car park and you’ll come to Rock-a-Nore beach with view of Hastings Country Park in the distance. A good spot for picnicking and rock-pooling.

Rock-a-Nore Beach, Hastings

Hastings Contemporary

Just past the net huts on The Stade is the gleaming, black-tiled Hastings Contemporary gallery, which opened in March 2012. The gallery houses a collection of modern and contemporary British art together with varied temporary exhibitions showing the best of British painting.

A roof café overlooking the fishing beach serves tasty local fare and a sun terrace offers panoramic coastal views. A shop stocks a wide selection of gifts, books and products relating to the current exhibitions. 

The gallery is part of the Coastal Culture Trail along with the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and Eastbourne’s Towner Art Gallery. Entry: Adults from £8. Children under 16 go free.

On the first Tuesday of every month the gallery is free to all between the hours of 4pm – 8pm. Opening Times: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm, Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am – 5pm (Last admission 4.30pm)

The Stade Open Space

Behind the gallery is an open space for outdoor events in the heart of Hastings. The circles you’ll see on the ground represent the path trodden by the horses which once worked the capstans to pull the fishing boats to shore.

Stade Saturdays is a programme of free performances which take place here from May to October including dancing, music and small concerts.

>>> Looking for somewhere to stay in Hastings? Check rates and availability

The Funicular at East Hill Cliff Railway

For fabulous views over the town’s mishmash of roof tops, The Stade and access to Hastings Country Park head up the East Hill Cliff Funicular on Rock-a-Nore Road.

It’s the steepest funicular railway in the UK and originally opened in 1902. It’s kind of like taking a tram up a cliff. The East Hill Lift is wheelchair accessible.

The West Hill Lift, Hastings

Of course, Hastings doesn’t do things by halves so you’ll find a second funicular hauling visitors up the West Hill. The lower station is accessed from the pedestrianised George Street.

West Hill Lift passes through a tunnel and on reaching the top, as well as more fabulous views, there’s access to the ruins of Hastings Castle and Smuggler’s Adventure caves.

Hastings Smuggler’s Caves

St Clements Caves, named after the nearby church, are home to the Smugglers’ Adventure which tells the dark, and sometimes ghostly, tales of smuggling along the Sussex coast over 200 years ago. ‘Hairy Jack’ leads visitors through tunnels, caverns and caves.

Kids and adults alike will love the caves and the displays, interactive activities and hands-on features.

Explore the Twittens

You could take the funicular back down to the Old Town or you could wind your way back down through the ‘twittens’. Twittens are a thing in Sussex. If you haven’t heard of them before they’re tiny, narrow passageways that link streets and lanes together.

Hastings Old Town has a network of twittens. As you pass the weather-boarded, half-timbered cottages of All Saints Street you’ll notice these little alleys disappearing between the houses and you’ll find them leading down from the West Hill. Follow them, explore them and come across some of Hastings’ Old Town secrets.

Don’t pass The Crown in All Saints Street without stopping for a bite to eat or a drink. This lively independent pub serves great food in a contemporary setting.

For a contrast keep going and you’ll come to The Stag a sixteenth century Inn with ancient beams and a rustic feel. They also serve good food and have live music.

At this point cross the street and walk back down the other side until you come to a twitten. Make your way down the passageway and you’ll come to The Bourne (A259). The Bourne is a busy street and was once a site of a stream heading down to the sea.

Cross The Bourne and you should see a small car park opposite. At the back of the car park is Wellington Passage. Walk through and you’ll come to the High Street…

>>> Looking for somewhere to stay in Hastings? Check rates and availability

High Street, Hastings, East Sussex

The High Street in Hastings is my favourite shopping street with dozens of independent shops selling everything from art and antiques to upmarket homewares, flowers, artisan breads and general quirk.

A wander up and down the High Street dropping by the eclectic mix of shops will keep you occupied for an hour or two. There are some good pubs, coffee shops and delis in the High Street too.

A G Hendy, Hastings

Be sure to drop into AG Hendy which has to be the quirkiest shop in Hastings. Stepping inside the 1920s shop front you’ll be transported to a bygone era of ostrich feather dusters, vintage kitchenware and housewares of the kind you’ll remember your Grandma using.

Much of the stock is eco-friendly and its worth checking out all the floors some of which are home to Hendy’s personal collection of vintage oddities. And, indeed, they are odd…

A G Hendy, Hastings

Homewares at A G Hendy, High Street, Hastings, East Sussex

Made in Hastings offers a range of lovely homemade crafted gifts and homeware from talented makers in and around Hastings.  Little Treasures has a good stock of retro and vintage goods.

Little Treasures, High Street, Hastings, East Sussex

The FILO

The First in Last Out (FILO) is one of the best of Hasting’s 27 (or thereabouts) pubs. With a real fire going throughout the winter it’s a cosy place to enjoy a meal and live music.

The pub serves six of its own ales produced in its on-site microbrewery. You’ll find the FILO at 14-16 High Street next to Wellington Passage – allegedly one of the most haunted spots in the town.

Coffee and Cake

For coffee and a bite drop by Penbuckle’s Deli. The tiny tea-room is open 7 days a week and serves fantastic coffee, cakes and pastries. Savoury offerings include light lunches, cheese and charcuterie platters paired with a glass of wine or craft ale.

Judges bakery next door is good for coffee too and sells and range of artisan breads and local organic goods.

Electric Palace Cinema, Hastings

If you like your films vintage then step into the Electric Palace Cinema on the High Street for less mainstream arthouse and world film screenings. It’s oh so Hastings!

Reste

Reste is a beautiful shop of cool, calm colours and beautiful handmade pieces. A source of artisanal and handcrafted products and accessories tracked down from around the world and brought to Hastings. It’s a shop I can never resist visiting when I’m in town. They also host craft workshops.

Reste in the High Street, Hastings, East Sussex

You’ll find them at the bottom of the High Street just before you turn right onto…

George Street, Hastings

An amble down George Street is a must-do on your visit to Hastings. The narrow pedestrian street links the old town with the seafront. You’ll find some fabulous independent shops, restaurants and cafes. Stop for coffee, find a window seat and watch the quirky world of Hastings go by.

George Street Cafe, Old Town Hastings

>>> Looking for somewhere to stay in Hastings? Check rates and availability

Butler’s Emporium

Butler’s Emporium started out in 1832 as a hardware shop and many of the original fixtures have remained which makes it the perfect backdrop for an eclectic mix of homeware, haberdashery, clothing, jewellery and accessories.

Butler’s Emporium, George Street, Hastings, East Sussex

As well as galleries and gift shops in George Street you’ll find an old-fashioned sweet shop, a tobacco and pipe shop a few vintage shops. Right at the end is Di Pola’s gelato shop – I recommend the pistachio flavour gelato.

Vintage Hastings

Vintage is big in Hastings Old Town. As well as a profusion of antique and bric-a-brac shops there’s a wide range of vintage shops selling clothing, furniture and household goods in the High Street.

For Bric-a-brac try Courthouse Street which cuts through from the bottom of the High Street to The Bourne.

Courthouse Street for bric-a-brac shops

Where to eat in Hastings Old Town

I have a few favourite places to eat in the old town.

Turkish cuisine at Isabella’s

• Isabella’s for excellent Turkish food
• Maggie’s for the best fish and chips in town
• Boulevard Bookshop and Thai Cafe – authentic Thai food in a bookshop
• Jasmine Thai – for excellent Thai food although service can be slow when its busy
• Rock-a-Nore Kitchen Boat to plate food close to the net huts

When you’ve eaten head for one of the old town pubs. Most have live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Good pubs for music include The FILO, The Dolphin, The Standard and the Jenny Lind. The Jolly Fisherman on Hastings seafront is a cosy bar selling local craft beers and nibbles.

Where to Stay in Hastings

Bed and Breakfast in Hastings Old Town

There are a good choice of B&Bs in Hastings and I can recommend The Laindons guest house in the heart of the old town at 23 High Street. The Georgian grade II listed building has five contemporary style rooms and serves breakfast in the airy conservatory overlooking the East Hill nature park.

>>> Check rates and availability at The Laindons

For more B&Bs and hotels in Hastings check our handy map.

Booking.com

Festivals and Events in Hastings

There’s usually something going on in Hastings Old Town so time your visit to coincide with one of the town’s festivals or events.

• Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday)
• Jack in the Green  (03-06 May 2019)
• World Crazy Golf Championships (07-09 June 2019)
• Midsummer Fish Festival – 22-23 June 2019
• Hastings Pirate Day (14 July 2019)  Hastings holds the record for the most pirates in any one place Hastings
• Hastings Old Town Carnival Week  (03-11 August 2019)
• Seafood & Wine Festival –  14-15 September 2019
• Hastings Steampunk Circus of Curiosities (14-15 September 2019)
• Hastings Bonfire Procession and Fireworks (19 October 2019)
• Hastings Herring Fair – TBC

How to get to Hastings, East Sussex

By Train

From London there’s a direct service with South Eastern trains from Charing Cross, Waterloo or London Bridge to Hastings. The fast trains takes around 1.5 hours. From Victoria with Southern Rail it takes around two hours.

From Brighton trains to Hastings are with Southern Rail and the service takes around 70 minutes. Check for times and prices on The Trainline.

From Hastings station walk to the seafront and head east. The walk to the old town takes around 15 minutes.

By Car

If you’re driving use the M25 and turn off at the A21. There is some on-street parking but it can be hard to find in the old town. Rock-a-Nore car park past The Stade has plenty of parking. More Hastings parking information can be found here.

So, there are some of my favourite things to do in Hastings Old Town. Have I missed any of your favourites? Let me know in the comments below.

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