I love Hastings! It's true that it was very run down ten years ago, and bits of it remain so, but it's one of the fastest and most improving places along that stretch of the South Coast, with some great things to do on a short break. If you like walks, there are hundreds to choose from - over the East Cliff to Fairlight (or all the way to Rye if you're feeling energetic) is gorgeous, but just walking along the East Cliff in the National Country Park is glorious - a real pleasure. The Old Town is best for eating and drinking - the new town is on the way up but still a bit lairy. I recommend the First In Last Out pub in the old town High Street for a friendly drink or a good Saturday Lunch - they keep lots of local brochures and press detailing events and things to see, too. There's always live music at the Jenny Lind pub just down the road on weekend evenings - varies from rock to jazz, so it's pot luck. Lathams Brasserie gets very busy but is nice and buzzy for dinner. If you want someone quieter but with excellent food, Soupcon in the High Street is great, For Sunday lunch i quite like Porters wine bar, again in the High Street. If you like art, there are lots of galleries in the old town and a 20 minute walk along the sea front in St Leonards. Lots of funky antiques, second hand shops and galleries mixed in with grungier more edgy stuff in St leonard - the Sunday Times calls it the "Hoxton on sea" which sounds pretentious, but gives you a good idea. All more sedate and established in the old town. Nice little digital "arts" cinema in the High Street, too, where they show a lot of foreign and arty films. If you're interested in English wine, there is a big organic vineyard nearby, and the whole "local and organic" food movement is huge down there. Buy bread or buns from Judges bakery in the High Street - all 100% organic and locally sourced. All over quite bohemian, quirky but friendly, with some beautiful surrounding countryside, great local foods and good restaurants and pubs.
Maureen Knight ● 6594d