A historic town and seaside resort with a pier and picturesque streets in the Old Town.
Hastings was once a Cinque Port and fishing village. There are two cliff railways: the West Hill Railway
rises from George Street through a natural cave to the Castle and Smugglers Adventure; the East Hill Railway
provides access to Hastings Country Park.
Websites: www.1066country.com |
www.visithastings.com |
www.hastings.gov.uk
Website: East Sussex Community Rail Partnership
Tourist Information: Queens Square, Priory Meadow Shopping Centre. Tel. 01424 781111.
The Stade, Old Town (closed M-F in winter).
Hastings Castle - Castle Hill Road, West Hill
The ruins of Britain's first castle built by William the Conqueror in 1067 after the Battle of Hastings.
'The 1066 Story' audio-visual presentation. Panoramic views of the town. Tel. 01424 781186.
Open*: Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1700. Oct-Mar, Daily 1100-1500.
Website: www.discoverhastings.co.uk
Smugglers Adventure - St Clements Caves, West Hill
The story of the Hastings smugglers in the labyrinth of tunnels, caverns and passageways they used.
Tel. 01424 422964.
Open*: Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1730. Oct-Mar, Daily 1100-1630.
Website: www.discoverhastings.co.uk
Fishermen's Museum - Rock-A-Nore Road
The museum is housed in a former church. The centrepiece is the Enterprise, one of the last Hastings luggers.
Other exhibits include model ships, paintings and photographs illustrating the Hastings fishing industry.
Tel. 01424 461446.
Open*: Apr-Oct, Daily 1030-1700.
Shipwreck Heritage Centre - Rock-A-Nore Road
Hastings has one of the richest displays of shipwrecks at low tide in Europe and this museum is
devoted to their history.
Tel. 01424 437452.
Open*: Apr-Oct, Daily 1030-1700.
Underwater World - Rock-A-Nore Road
Living marine life displays including tidal rock pools. Walk through an underwater glass tunnel.
Tel. 01424 718776.
Open*: Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1730. Oct-Mar, Daily 1100-1600.
Website: www.discoverhastings.co.uk
Old Town Hall Museum - High Street
The history of Hastings Old Town with interactive models and reconstructions.
Tel. 01424 781166.
Open*: Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1700. Oct-Mar, Daily 1100-1600.
Website: www.hmag.org.uk/oldTownHall
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery - Cambridge Road
Paintings, ceramics and art from the cultures of other lands. Local wildlife. Magnificent Durbar Hall
constructed for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition of 1886. Programme of exhibitions.
Tel. 01424 781155.
Open*: M-S 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700.
Website: www.hmag.org.uk
Bodiam Castle NT - by bus
A perfect example of a late medieval moated castle, the exterior is virtually complete.
Good views from the top of the towers. Tearoom. Tel. 01580 830436.
Open*: mid Feb-Oct Daily 1030-1800, Nov-mid Feb SSu 1030-1600.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bus: 349 from station forecourt, stop E to Bodiam Castle Hotel which is close to the
Castle entrance. M-S every 2 hours, 40 minutes journey.
Traveline tel. 0871 200 2233.
Buses also operate from Wadhurst.
Kent & East Sussex Railway - by bus
A 10½ mile preserved steam railway from Tenterden to Bodiam.
Tel. 01580 765155, timetable 01580 762943.
Open*: see website for details.
Website: www.kesr.org.uk
Bus: to Bodiam station (K&ESR), see Bodiam Castle above.
Buses to Tenterden (the other end of the Railway) operate from Ashford International,
Headcorn and Rye.
National Rail Enquiries tel. 0845 748 4950.