Your introduction to the town of Hastings on England's south coast

Welcome to Hastings, England

The historic seaside town of Hastings, with a population of around 85,000 people sits on England's East Sussex coast next to the English Channel. Hastings is home to many attractions including Hastings Castle and Hastings Pier. The town of Hastings will always be associated with one of the most important battles in English history, the Battle of Hastings in the year 1066. However, the site of the battle itself was the appropriately named town of Battle nearby.

Traditionally a fishing port, Hastings continues is contribution to the fishing world to this day, and is also a popular seaside resort. The various areas that comprise modern Hastings were originally individual settlements in their own right, but the growth of the region in general has seen them form into one coherent urban centre. Hastings is a thriving, cosmoplitain town that benefits from its close proximity to the English Channel and to Greater London.

Hastings has been the scene for a wealth of British history, with roots dating back many hundreds of years. This is reflected in the wide range of attractions in and around Hastings. These include:-

Hastings Castle
Hastings promanade and Pier
Hastings Museums
Cliff Railways
Blue Plaques Trail
Remains of the historic sailing ship The Amsterdam
Fishermen's Museum
Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre
Net Huts at the Stade
St Mary in the Castle
Historic Old Town area

Naturally, the town is most famous for the historic battle of 1066 and the Norman Conquest, but the Hastings of today is a contemporary urban centre. To the North of the town lies a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at High Weald. The geological makeup of the Hastings area has consistently proved to be of interest, combining as it does ancient woodland valleys and sandstone beds. In terms of transport, Hastings is accessible via four rail links and the road network linking it into London, as well as two fascinating funicular railways called the West and East Hill lifts by locals.

Hastings Pier together with the castle ruins set dramatically into the cliffs at the seafront are among the most popular and distinctive landmarks in the town. The scenic landscapes and clear East coast light at Hastings have for many years drawn artists to the area. The miniature railway, cliffs, caves and country park are also popular visitor activities in the town.