It’s already been a little while since we went to Hastings but it is such a nice place to visit that it deserves a post. It was back in April when restrictions were easing and the temperatures weren’t quite as summery as one would wish for, but what was I expecting really just after Easter? Hastings is known for the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066 and a stop on the train is actually called Battle. There you have your cultural and historical nuggets for the day.
I love Hastings, I much prefer it to the ever so crowded Brighton. Hastings is in East Sussex and East of Brighton along the coast. Brighton is a very popular destination for Londonders during the hot summer months since there is a direct train connection and it’s the closest seaside town to the big shmoke. So to escape crammed trains, crowded pebble beaches and a rather ugly seafront (sorry Brighton fans, but the seafront is just not that amazing) we took the train to Hastings. Also a direct service, but it does take a litte longer but it’s all worth the journey. The train station in Hastings is in very close proximity to the sea and the town also has a pier. The beach also has pebbles and a small marina where all the fisherboats are kept amongst small fisher huts.
What I really love about Hastings though is the Old Town. It has a cute main road with shops, pubs and cafes. There are also small quirky side streets with bakeries and delis. During our visit it felt very local since it was the middle of the week just after Easter. I can imagine that during the summer months it might be a lot more crowded. But the nice thing about this town is that you can escape the crowds and go to the beach or walk up the nearby East and West hills for a stunning view. On West hill there is Hastings Castle, or rather what is left, it’s a pile of old ruins but don’t ruins also have a charm on their own? I think so. When we were there the castle was closed but it can be visited usually.
Despite most of the cafes and pubs being closed due to we-all-know-what, we found an open bakery. Judges Bakery has lots to offer in terms of pastries and all things bread but also has a small deli in the back where you can buy organic food products. Next to Judges there is Penbuckles Delicatessen. Can we just take a moment and appreciate the name? Penbuckles. Rolls easily off the tongue, doesn’t it. I went in there to get a coffee, and wanted to buy the whole shop. They have artisinal foods, an open cheese counter, pastries and in the back there is a wine cellar. I felt a bit sorry that I couldn’t get anything if I didn’t want to drag it all back to London on the train but if you do go to Hastings stop by Penbuckles Delicatessen. The owner of the shop who served me was very chatty which was a nice change to rather stiff London. I had my coffee and pastry in the sun in front of St Clements Church on a little bench. Didn’t need anything more.
Getting back to London was fairly easy too since the trains go at least twice an hour. It might be a bit of a longer train ride (30 min more than to Brighton) but it is all worth the effort. In the need of a micro adventure? Hasting’s got your back.
The Monikart Studio 