Things to do in Hastings

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Hastings featuring street scenes
Hastings which includes general coastal views and a small town or village
Great Dixter House and Gardens showing a garden and a house
Blue Reef Aquarium featuring marine life as well as an individual male
Hastings Castle showing building ruins and heritage elements

Hastings Attractions

Whether you love to hit the shops or familiarize yourself with the local history, there's a ton of things to see and do in Hastings. This city boasts a range of exciting attractions that'll keep your schedule full and your legs on the go. No matter your interests, this place has a surprise in store for you.

Discover the best sights in Hastings with some unique tours & day trips, or try out our list of {5 fun activities in Hastings fun activities in Hastings}. We have no booking fees and free cancellation, so you can rest easy and channel your energy into planning the perfect vacation.

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Hastings must see attractions

1. Hastings Castle

Though only fragments of it remain, Hastings Castle is still tremendously atmospheric. Its splendid clifftop setting means it can be seen from most parts of town. Visitors are drawn here for its interesting and tumultuous history and for the incredible views it offers of the cliffs and coastline. Watch a video explaining the significance of the Norman fortress and peruse the evocative ruins.
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Hastings Castle featuring heritage elements and a ruin

2. Hastings Country Park

Hastings Country Park is spread across 660 acres (270 hectares) along the coast and encompasses a patchwork of terrain including ancient woodland, heathlands, grassland and dramatic sandstone cliffs. Walk coastal trails near the cliff edge and savor the incredible views. Look for rare birds flying overhead and insects crawling underfoot.
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Hastings Country Park which includes a small town or village, general coastal views and a park

3. East Hill Lift

One of the steepest funicular railways in the country, the East Hill Lift carries passengers up a steep and rocky cliff to Hastings Country Park at the top. Ascend the slope in the old-fashioned carriages and marvel at the views out to sea from the top.
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East Hill Lift

4. Alexandra Park

A well-kept and spacious recreational space, Alexander Park provides ample greenery as it runs through Hastings and St Leonards. The park has enough amenities to enthrall and entertain visitors for an entire day. Walk through immaculate formal gardens and past ancient trees, spot rare birds in the nature reserve, go boating on the lake and let the kids enjoy the play area.
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Alexandra Park featuring a garden

5. Smugglers Adventure

Smugglers Adventure is a popular interactive attraction that reveals tales from the smuggling trade’s heyday, when swashbuckling gangs transported contraband goods into Britain through the isolated bays of the Sussex coast. Explore atmospheric underground caves and discover more about the shady goings-on that took place here in the 17th and 18th centuries.
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Smugglers Adventure

What to do in Hastings

Free Things to Do in Hastings

Leave your wallet in the hotel. It's a snap to have fun in Hastings without paying a cent.

Fishermen's Museum - No matter your age, this place will rouse your imagination and grip your attention.

Stade - Get to know some of the locals and seek out the true personality and energy of this special place.

Hastings Pier - If you're eager to check out a few of the more important or unique places in the community, this place is worth visiting.

Rocka-a-Nore Beach - Skip rocks along the water, watch the sun go down or just enjoy the scenery from the foreshore.

Hastings Country Park - If you're into hanging out in the garden, this place will excite your green thumb.

Things to Do in Hastings with Kids

Hastings has plenty of nearby fun experiences for you and your kids. Our family friendly experiences will keep the gang happy for hours.

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Hastings? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Hastings

April 2014 A seemingly abandoned wheelchair sitting on Hastings beach in front of the burnt out remains of the town's pier. #BeachBound

Hastings Pier

Explore the waterfront in Hastings with a trip to Hastings Pier. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.

Hastings Pier
Hastings Castle featuring heritage elements and a ruin

Hastings Castle

5/5(1 review)

Stir your imagination at the ruins of this once mighty clifftop fortress, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.

Hastings Castle
Hastings Country Park which includes a small town or village, general coastal views and a park

Hastings Country Park

Popular with dog walkers and exercisers, this expansive park provides a peaceful escape and coastal panoramas.

Hastings Country Park
East Hill Lift

East Hill Lift

Step aboard this historic funicular railway and enjoy views of the fishing fleet and rows of net shops on the seafront.

East Hill Lift
Smugglers Adventure

Smugglers Adventure

Venture inside a series of caves and caverns and learn about the exploits of the smugglers who once operated on the Sussex coast.

Smugglers Adventure
Blue Reef Aquarium featuring marine life as well as an individual male

Blue Reef Aquarium

See tropical fish and sharks, encounter scaly-skinned reptiles and observe hungry rays being fed at this seaside aquarium.

Blue Reef Aquarium
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

This interesting museum covers an eclectic range of topics, including Native Americans and John Logie Baird, the inventor of the television.

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery
Fishermen\'s Museum which includes interior views

Fishermen's Museum

Delve into the seafaring past of Hastings at this maritime museum, which pays tribute to the local fishing industry and community.

Fishermen's Museum

White Rock Theatre

Get tickets for a show at White Rock Theatre, a storied theater in Hastings. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.

White Rock Theatre

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Hastings

Great Dixter House and Gardens showing flowers

Rye

Photo by John Fitzpatrick

Battle

Photo "St Leonards-On-Sea" by Oliver P Guffogg (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Oliver P Guffogg (CC BY-SA)

St Leonards-On-Sea

Icklesham

Icklesham

Photo by John Scale

Winchelsea

Photo by Suzanne Jones

Sedlescombe

Hastings

Old Town Hastings

Hastings Country Park showing a garden

Ore

Frequently asked questions

Is Hastings worth visiting?
Renowned for its bars and pubs and fishing, finding fun things to do in Hastings is easy. Make sure to add Winchelsea Beach to your trip itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Hastings?
Start your day with a visit to Winchelsea Beach and Bexhill Beach. Then, check out different areas of Hastings for local dining and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Hastings?
The top tourist attraction in Hastings is Winchelsea Beach, so make sure to add it to your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Hastings?
You can easily visit popular attractions like Bexhill Beach, Carr Taylor Vineyard and Blue Reef Aquarium with a three-day getaway in Hastings. On average, most travelers plan two days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a bit longer and venture to Eastbourne.
Is Hastings a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you want to see and do in Hastings. Several must-visit attractions, including Blue Reef Aquarium, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around one of Hastings's neighborhoods, Old Town Hastings is 1 mile away from the city center.
What are some activities to do in Hastings with kids?
Whether you're traveling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, a fun-filled itinerary is the key to a stress-free getaway. Browse our ideas for what to do in Hastings with kids.

What to do in Hastings for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Hastings, with experiences for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Carr Taylor Vineyard or Fishermen's Museum.
Are there free things to do in Hastings?
In Hastings, Bexhill Beach is a top spot for anyone looking to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the other neighborhoods and green spaces, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's an easy way to discover the best free things to do in Hastings.