What to do in Hastings

Activities, attractions and tours

Hastings
Hastings
Hastings
Hastings
Hastings

Hastings Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Hastings has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Hastings, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Hastings with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Hastings

Hastings is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Hastings, and make it a breeze to explore Hastings and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Hastings to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Hastings, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Hastings.

Hastings attractions

Hastings has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Hastings to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Hastings.

Looking for things to do in Hastings can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Hastings or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Hastings attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

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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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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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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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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5. Blue Reef Aquarium

Blue Reef Aquarium contains more than 30 themed habitats housing numerous remarkable aquatic creatures. Because of its convenient seaside location, this aquarium is a particularly popular rainy day activity for families, though the fascinating marine animals here make it a worthwhile visit even when the sun is shining. Learn about ocean habitats and the fish that inhabit them. Come face-to-face with creatures of the deep.
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6. Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

A popular rainy day attraction, the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery holds a diverse range of displays relating to local history, as well as a selection of artifacts from other parts of the world. Local wildlife, famous figures and Native Americans are among the varied topics covered in the displays. Examine fossils and animal dioramas, learn about local personalities and view a replica log cabin and tepee at the Native American display.
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What to do in Hastings

Popular places to visit

Hastings Castle

Hastings Castle

4/5(16 reviews)

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

Hastings Castle
Hastings Pier

Hastings Pier

4.5/5(4 reviews)

After visiting Hastings Pier, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Hastings. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.

Hastings Pier
Hastings Country 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
Blue Reef Aquarium

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
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
Rocka-a-Nore Beach

Rocka-a-Nore Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Rocka-a-Nore Beach during your trip to Old Town Hastings? While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Rocka-a-Nore Beach
Fishermen's Museum

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

 

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.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Hastings

Camber Sands castle being bathed in the evening golden hour light near Rye East Sussex south east England UK

Rye

Battle

Battle

Hastings, united kingdom, 24, August 2022 Warrior Square Gardens, St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings

St Leonards-On-Sea

Icklesham
Photo by JJ Jones (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0)

Icklesham

St Thomas the Martyr Church at Winchelsea, East Sussex, UK

Winchelsea

Sedlescombe

Sedlescombe

Old Town Hastings

Old Town Hastings

Westfield
Photo by Julian P Guffogg (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Westfield

Frequently asked questions

Is Hastings worth visiting?
Renowned for its bars and pubs and fishing, finding awesome things to do in Hastings is a cinch. Make sure to add Winchelsea Beach to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Hastings?
Begin your day with a visit to Winchelsea Beach and Bexhill Beach. Then, check out different areas of Hastings for a quick bite and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Hastings?
Winchelsea Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Hastings and deserves a place on every to-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Hastings?
Three days will be plenty of time to tick off the leading city highlights, such as Bexhill Beach, Carr Taylor Vineyard and Blue Reef Aquarium. The average stay in Hastings is two days. If you feel the urge to extend your escape, Eastbourne isn't far away.
Is Hastings a walkable city?
With leading attractions like Blue Reef Aquarium nearby, Hastings is every bit a place to see on foot. Up for visiting some cool neighbourhoods a walkable distance from the city centre? Old Town Hastings is only 2 kms (1 mile) away.
What are some activities to do in Hastings with kids?
If you're searching for activities and sights for all the family, have a look at these terrific ideas for what to do in Hastings with kids.
What to do in Hastings for adults?
Carr Taylor Vineyard and Fishermen's Museum are just a couple of the things to do in Hastings. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Hastings?
One of the simplest ways to discover free things to do in Hastings is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can visit without reaching for your wallet. Bexhill Beach is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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