Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Travelogue #01 – Hastings

Where: East Sussex, on the south coast of England, east of Brighton.

How to get there:

  • By car:
    Take the A21 South about 75km south of London
  • By train:
    Daily service from Victoria, Charing Cross or Cannon Street (1h45m to 2h 15m journey time)
    Eurotunnel (Folkstone) is 30 miles East of Hastings
  • By coach:
    Daily service from Victoria Coach Station (2h 25m to 3h 45m journey time)
I loved Hastings even before I set foot there. Don’t ask me why, I guess it’s one of those “taksub” moments!

Hastings is small seaside town with lots of history. The famous “Battle of Hastings” in 1066 occurred at the nearby town of Battle (6 miles NW of Hastings). Like most English seaside towns, Hastings has a pier and amusement/games arcades can be found all along the beachfront.

For the kids, there is the
Blue Reef Aquarium, Miniature Golf, and Smuggler’s Adventure where the history of Hastings and its smuggling past is displayed.

There is also the
Fisherman’s Museum and Fishmarket where most of the fish caught by local boats are sold through Hastings Fishmarket. At The Shipwreck Heritage Centre one can view one of the richest displays of shipwrecks at low tide in Europe.

The
Old Town Museum was built in 1823 and re-opened in October 1999; this old town hall shows off new displays that tell the tale of Hastings past. The Hastings Museum and Art Gallery on Bohemia Road contains a rich and exotic mixture of fine paintings and china, the cultures of other lands and a contrasting view of local wildlife. There are also special features for children with fossils that transform into dinosaurs.

A visit to Hastings is never complete without taking a ride on the
Hastings Cliff Railway; the West Hill Lift takes visitors to the West Hill. On West Hill is Britain’s first Norman Castle, built by William the Conqueror. This train also takes visitors to the Smuggler’s Adventure. The view atop the West Hill is simply breathtaking. The East Hill Lift takes the visitors to the Hastings Country Park, 600 acres of unspoilt country countryside, splendid views, cliff-tops, glens and farmlands which can be enjoyed during a five-mile walk.

The Hastings Old Town Carnival has been held every year since 1968 which includes a Street Party.

If you’re into second hand books, antiques, bric-a-brac, a walk along the High Street may uncover some hidden treasures.

Where to stay – The Missus and I stayed at the Eagle House Hotel but it is in St Leonards which it about 5 minutes drive from the beachfront. The Castlehill Guesthouse opposite the site of the Norman Hastings Castle has a spectacular view of the town and the coast.

For a relaxing 2/3 day summer getaway with the kids, Hastings would be almost ideal, something for everyone to enjoy. Some Malaysian visitors to the UK would prefer to spend all their time in Oxford Street, Knightsbridge or Bicester Village but I highly recommend going off the beaten track and head to Hastings.

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