Hastings is an historic town and seaside resort with a pier and picturesque streets in the Old Town. Hastings was once a Cinque Port and fishing village. The area around the Jerwood Gallery is known as The Stade and characteristic black huts used to store fishing nets can be seen here. The beach is ½ mile from the station and mostly pebbles. There are two cliff railways: West Hill Lift from George Street to the Castle and Smugglers Adventure, and East Hill Lift from Rock-a-Nore Road to Hastings Country Park. The famous 'Battle of Hastings' in 1066 took place nearby at Battle. Hastings PlusBus tickets are valid within the Bexhill, St Leonards and Hastings urban area.
TI Tel. 01424 451111.
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.
Open ThFSSu 1030-1230, 1400-1700.
www.hmag.org.uk
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.
Open please see website.
www.smugglersadventure.co.uk
The story of the Hastings smugglers in the labyrinth of tunnels, caverns and passageways they used.
Open Apr-Sep, Daily 1000-1700.
www.smugglersadventure.co.uk
The Station includes a visitor centre with viewing balcony alongside the lifeboat at deck level.
Open please see website.
www.hastingslifeboat.org.uk
A narrow guage railway running 600 yards along the coast from Marine Parade to Rock-a-Nore.
Open sorry, no information available in March 2022.
A gallery of modern and contemporary British art. Café.
Open ThFSSu & BH 1100-1700.
www.hastingscontemporary.org
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 local fishing industry. Admission free.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Mar, Daily 1100-1600.
www.ohps.org.uk
Stories and finds from local historic shipwrecks. Displays also cover diving, dating shipwreck discoveries and fossils.
Guided walks to the 1749 wreck of the Amsterdam, see website. Admission free.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1100-1600. Nov-Mar, SSu 1130-1600.
www.shipwreckmuseum.co.uk
Living marine life displays including tidal rock pools. Walk through an underwater glass tunnel.
Open Daily 1000-1700.
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk
A Nature Reserve with grassland, heathland and ancient woodland stretching 3 miles along the sandstone
cliffs to Fairlight. Good views. See the website for a map showing paths and features. Admission free.
Open at all times.
www.hastings.gov.uk
A perfect example of a late medieval moated castle, the exterior is virtually complete.
Good views from the top of the towers. Tearoom.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1700. Nov-Feb, see website.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bus
349 from station forecourt to opposite Bodiam Castle entrance.
Daily every 2 hours, about 35 minutes journey. Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Wadhurst.
A 10½ mile preserved steam railway from Tenterden to Bodiam.
Open please see website for details including train times.
www.kesr.org.uk
Bus to Bodiam station (K&ESR), see Bodiam Castle.
Buses to Tenterden (the other end of the Railway) operate from Ashford International,
Headcorn and Rye.
Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd.
The garden is in the arts and crafts style with topiary, long border, orchard and wildflower meadow.
The House is a recreation of a medieval manor house, complete with great hall, parlour and solar.
Refreshments and picnic area.
Open Apr-Oct, TWThFSSu & BH 1100-1700, House 1200-1600.
www.greatdixter.co.uk
Bus
29 from station forecourt to Northiam, Dixter Road (just after Post Office), 50 minutes journey, then ½ mile walk.
M-S mostly hourly. Operated by Stagecoach.
Buses also operate from Rye.
