- Hastings is home to the last remaining beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe, as the town lacks a sheltered harbor.
- The town's unique 'Net Shops'—tall, thin wooden buildings on the beach—were specifically designed to maximize storage space for nets in a narrow area.
- St Clement's Caves, featured in Smugglers Adventure, were expanded by hand in the early 19th century and served as an air-raid shelter during World War II.
- Hastings is widely considered the birthplace of the modern television industry, as John Logie Baird lived there while developing his first mechanical prototypes.
- The town hosts the oldest chess congress in the United Kingdom, which has been held annually since 1920.
About Hastings
Hastings is a historic seaside town in East Sussex defined by its ancient role as a Cinque Port and its association with the 1066 Norman Conquest. The town retains a distinctive contrast between its traditional fishing fleet, which remains the largest beach-launched fleet in Europe, and its modern cultural scene at Hastings Contemporary. Visitors can explore deep-rooted maritime history at the Shipwreck Museum or ascend the cliffs via the East Hill Cliff Railway for panoramic coastal views. The ruins of Hastings Castle provide a strategic vantage point overlooking the English Channel, grounding the town firmly in its medieval past.
Highlights of Hastings
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Explore the Norman-era ruins that provide a tactical overview of the landing site of William the Conqueror.
Historical places
Ride the steepest funicular railway in the United Kingdom to access the scenic clifftop trails of Country Park.
Museums
Discover the heritage of the local fishing industry housed within a repurposed Victorian church on the beach.
Museums
View cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions in a distinct building perched directly on the edge of the Stade.
Places of interest
Venture into subterranean passages once utilized by local gangs to hide illicit goods from customs officers.
Museums
Examine maritime artifacts and relics recovered from the seabed along this treacherous stretch of the English Channel.
Parks
Wander through a expansive, award-winning Victorian park featuring ornamental gardens and serene boating lakes.
Beaches and ponds
Walk along the pebble shoreline to observe the iconic black timber net shops used by the local fishing fleet.
Top things to do in Hastings
The 147 highest-rated places in Hastings, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated fortress located in the Rother Valley, East Sussex, built in 1385 by Sir Edward D...
2
Historical places
Battle Abbey occupies the site where the 1066 Battle of Hastings took place, marking the decisive Norman victory over th...
3
Museums
Bateman’s is a 17th-century Jacobean mansion in East Sussex that served as the home of author Rudyard Kipling from 1902...
4
Parks
Alexandra Park is a 109-acre Victorian-style public park that stretches nearly two miles through the valley of the Old R...
5
Beaches and ponds
Camber Sands is the only dune system in East Sussex, characterized by five miles of soft, golden sand. The beach is back...
6
Zoos
Hastings Aquarium, located on the historic seafront, specializes in marine habitats featuring various shark and ray spec...
7
Historical places
Hastings Castle is the first fortification built by William the Conqueror in England following his landing at Pevensey i...
8
Parks
Egerton Park is a primary public green space in Bexhill-on-Sea, managed by Rother District Council. The park features a...
9
Parks
Great Dixter is the family home of the late gardening author Christopher Lloyd and is renowned for its experimental, hig...
10
Parks
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve comprises a diverse mosaic of saltmarsh, shingle beach, saline lagoons, and reedbeds situated...
11
Museums
This site marks the exact location of the 1066 Battle of Hastings between William the Conqueror and King Harold II. The...
12
Historical places
The East Hill Cliff Railway is the steepest funicular railway in the United Kingdom, operating at an incline of 78 perce...
13
Places of interest
Smugglers Adventure is located within St Clement’s Caves, a complex of subterranean passages carved into the sandstone c...
14
Museums
The Ypres Tower is the oldest standing structure in Rye, constructed around 1249 to defend the town against French cross...
15
Places of interest
Bodiam Station is a key stop on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, a preserved heritage line originally designed by Colonel...
16
Parks
East Hill in Hastings is home to Britain's steepest funicular railway, the East Hill Lift, which transports passengers f...
17
Museums
The Hastings Fishermen's Museum is housed inside the Fishermen's Church, a distinctive 1854 building originally construc...
18
Museums
Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is a public institution housed in the historic, repurposed mansion known as Summerfields....
19
Parks
Hastings Country Park is a 345-hectare Local Nature Reserve situated atop the sandstone cliffs of the High Weald Area of...
20
Beaches and ponds
Rock-A-Nore Beach is a rugged, shingle-based beach located directly beneath the dramatic sandstone cliffs of the East Hi...
21
Museums
The Rye Heritage Centre serves as the official visitor information point for the town and houses an extensive collection...
22
Beaches and ponds
Camber Sands is the only sand dune system in East Sussex, characterized by five miles of soft, golden sand backed by lar...
23
Museums
Bexhill Museum houses a significant collection centered on the town's role in the birth of British motor racing, notably...
24
Museums
The Shipwreck Museum in Hastings focuses on the maritime history of the English Channel and the local coastline. It hous...
25
Temples
St. Mary's Church in Rye is a Norman structure dating back to the 12th century, prominently situated at the highest poin...
26
Amusement parks
Flamingo Amusements is a traditional seaside arcade situated directly on the shingle beach in Hastings. It features a mi...
27
Museums
28
Parks
29
Museums
30
Places of interest
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Hastings on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Hastings
Late spring to early autumn, specifically May through September, to enjoy outdoor coastal activities and beach weather.
2-3 days to explore the historic Old Town, maritime museums, and cliffside parks.
The town is largely walkable, especially in the Old Town, with local bus services and iconic funicular cliff railways for steep inclines.
The Old Town is best for historic character and proximity to the beach, while the area near Alexandra Park offers quieter, Victorian-era residential streets.
Mid-range; accommodation and dining options vary, with plenty of affordable local seafood and free outdoor attractions.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 147 curated attractions in and around Hastings, ranked by traveller ratings.
Bodiam Castle is the highest-rated place to visit in Hastings right now.
The largest category is temples, with 55 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
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