Hastings
Hastings
The battle of Hastings in 1066 did not actually take place at Hastings but at nearby Battle 6 miles away. William the conqueror stepped ashore at Normans bay which is a beach to the west of Hastings, there is a stone called the conquerors stone on the beach where legend has it he used for a table for his first meal in England.
Hastings is a traditional seaside town but manages to retain its history and links to the past, the castle on the hill, which is now ruins, still has some interest for the visitor with parts of the walls a gatehouse tower and dungeons to explore. The castle is built on a ridge at the edge of the weald and offers glorious views over the surrounding countryside, if you don’t fancy the walk to the top there is an elevator from the town centre.
Beneath the castle is Clements caves one of the largest underground cave networks in England it was once used by smugglers to store contraband. Around the town is some glorious countryside with the Hastings country park an area of SSI special scientific interest full of wildlife flora and fauna.
Hastings old town is a delight to visit with its fisherman’s quarter or Stade in its narrow winding cobbled streets like George Street you will find timbered houses there is also a fishermen’s museum. The town was one of the Cinque Ports and an important fishing port, it still has one of the largest beach based fishing fleets in Europe, the boats are hauled up onto the shingle beach, and the nets hung to dry in drying sheds.
Inspired by the Bayeux tapestry the town hall has on display 243ft long Hastings embroidery. This was completed in 1966 by the Royal school of embroidery to mark the 900th anniversary of the Norman invasion and illustrates events in British history.
Two fine churches are also worth visiting St Clements that dates from the 14th century and the 15th century All saints Church. The poet Coventry Patmore built the church of Saint Mary Star of the Sea in memory of his wife.
Down the coast to the west is the De La Ware pavilion cultural centre, go to Battle and visit the Yesterday’s world, this is full of interest for all the family . Visit Bodiam castle a picturesque moated castle, if trains interest you there is the Kent and East Sussex steam railway.
Activities in Hastings
Visit abcbritain's profile on Pinterest.