Hastings is a super-easy coastal town to explore as a day trip from London, perfect for those long, sunny days when you long to be by the sea.
Your local guide
My co-travel guide for this edition of Wander & Dwell is the fabulous Rachel, founder of The Pop-Up Emporium, which hosts makers' markets in South East England (Hastings, Bexhill and Catsfield). Rachel grew up in Hastings and brings a wealth of insider knowledge.
Wander shares a tourist perspective, Dwell brings local insight.
It’s worth visiting both Hastings Old Town and St Leonards during your day trip. They're both creative gems, full of amazing places to eat and shop, as well as beaches to explore and relax on.
Why visit Hastings - a local view
Having grown up in Hastings, Rachel loves how creative the town is. There's so much to see and explore, and there's always a festival happening somewhere as well. Not to mention the abundance of independent cafes, restaurants and shops - you will be spoilt for choice as to where to go, so in this guide, we cover the places you absolutely need to visit!
Get there early
Rachel recommends starting your day with breakfast at the Good Place Cafe Bar in Hastings Town Centre for a delicious brunch and fresh orange juice. It’s perfect for fueling yourself for the day ahead of shopping and walking!
George St, Old Town
George St in Old Town is a pedestrianised street full of the loveliest independent shops and places to eat and drink.
Turn the Tide is a treasure trove of makers and creatives - you’ll want time to browse. Butler's Emporium is a beautiful old hardware shop, now brimming with gorgeous items to peruse. Hare and Hawthorn is an enchanting independent book shop with a great selection of books, as well as some really pretty stationery and gifts.
There are also lots of wonderful antique shops to wander around - you never know what you might find!
Stop for coffee and cake at Hanushka Coffee House. The interiors are right up my street - gorgeous table lamps, walls lined top to bottom with books (second-hand, which you can also buy). They had a vegan option for cake, which was an Oreo cake, and I can tell you it was giant and delicious.
Don’t forget to get some pic’n’mix from Old Town Sweets to snack on throughout the day or for the journey home - they have allergens listed by pretty much everything, choosing a selection was so difficult!
Hastings High Street
As you come to the end of George Street, head up along the High Street for two must-visit shops: Made in Hastings, another gem filled with lovely things by creatives and makers, and Shop House Hastings, which has one of the best window displays and is full of brilliant, fun items.
East Hill for breathtaking views
Hastings is surrounded by nature, including a huge country park.
When my husband and I visited, we chose to explore East Hill only, rather than both East & West Hill. (West Hill is where the ruins of Hastings Castle are located.) East Hill Cliff Railway - the steepest funicular in the UK - takes you up to Hastings Country Park. A giant nature reserve, you could easily spend half a day to a full day exploring it. There are so many trails to choose from. We saw lots of birds and walked through huge open spaces with benches dotted around - perfect for drinking in the views. One of the trails also forms part of the England Coastal Walk. Whether you choose to explore the park or simply enjoy getting the funicular up and down, you will be treated to absolutely stunning views of the town and coast.
Around the seafront
Once you’re back down at sea level, pop into Hastings Contemporary, where there is always an interesting exhibition to see.
Take a stroll along the seafront to Hastings Miniature Golf - host to the World Crazy Golf Championship! There are three 18-hole courses to choose from, and a lot of fun to be had! We loved the course we played on - Adventure.
As you wander along the promenade, don’t forget to stop by Stade Hall and see if The Pop-Up Emporium is hosting a market. Rachel loves running these - and has done for the last 10 years. You’ll get the opportunity to meet so many talented local creatives, filling the venue with their beautiful and inspiring work. Definitely try to time your visit for one of their events, held during the summer and Christmas.
Food & Drink
Wander
Barista & The Shack is the perfect spot for a drink overlooking the sea. We felt so relaxed, sitting in the deckchairs, sipping our drinks and listening to the sounds of the sea.
Our visit to Hastings was slightly early in the season, so some things were not yet fully open. It was a little too chilly when we walked around Hastings Pier, but otherwise we would have stopped at The Rum Shed, which looked like a fab place for a drink.
We walked on along the promenade to St Leonard’s-on-sea, which is such a pretty place. We finished our day at Heist Market for food and drinks - excellent food and wine. A small indoor food hall, there is a choice of cuisines, so everyone can find something they like!
Dwell
Stooge has delicious coffee, and I love the new Unzipped Sewing Cafe in St Leonards after a seafront stroll for a cuppa. There's a brand-new kiosk opening on the West Hill which I can't wait to try too.
For dinner, go to Tonka in Hastings Old Town, whose food is delicious. I'd also recommend Heist Market in St Leonards for a whole selection of food, or we love The Imperial in Hastings for a pizza and a pint. If you're after fish and chips, the ultimate place to go is Maggie's. I'd also recommend the Old Town Fryer, which does delicious gluten-free ones too.
The Crown is such a lovely pub in the heart of the Old Town. Great drinks and eats, it's super cosy in winter but also lovely to sit outside on a summer's day too.
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If you have a special connection to Hastings and want to keep those memories alive for decades to come, why not commission a piece of your favourite place? Get in touch via email, I’d love to hear from you.