Michael’s guidebook to the Old Town, America Ground and St Leonards
Sightseeing
Charming independent shops, cafes and restaurants, lovely old buildings, a beach, art gallery and amusements. Something for everyone.
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Hastings Old Town
Charming independent shops, cafes and restaurants, lovely old buildings, a beach, art gallery and amusements. Something for everyone.
Walk up the West Hill from the town centre through Wellington Square. Great views from the top and then wind yourself down onto the High Street of the Old Town through charming old alleyways
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West Hill
Priory RoadWalk up the West Hill from the town centre through Wellington Square. Great views from the top and then wind yourself down onto the High Street of the Old Town through charming old alleyways
If you've walked up the West Hill- best see this while you're there.
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Hastings Castle
Castle Hill RoadIf you've walked up the West Hill- best see this while you're there.
Either take the funicular railway from Rock-a-Nore Road (recommended) or the steps. Wide open views over the Old Town and beyond and great walks eastwards towards Fairlight, Pete Level and even Rye if you're feeling very energetic.
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East Hill
East HillEither take the funicular railway from Rock-a-Nore Road (recommended) or the steps. Wide open views over the Old Town and beyond and great walks eastwards towards Fairlight, Pete Level and even Rye if you're feeling very energetic.
Schmuggler-Abenteuer
These caves are great. Not just for kids.
Fisherman's Huts
11-20 Rock-a-Nore RdIconic and unique to Hastings
Things to do
Location for the World Crazy Golf Championships. Very fun.
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Hastings Adventure Golf
Pelham PlaceLocation for the World Crazy Golf Championships. Very fun.
Your kids will want to go here. Small amusement park with some rides etc
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Flamingo Park
Flamingo ParkYour kids will want to go here. Small amusement park with some rides etc
Blue Reef Aquarium
Rock-a-Nore RoadOnly 10 minutes walk away- well worth a visit but missed by most.
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Hastings Museum & Art Gallery
Bohemia RoadOnly 10 minutes walk away- well worth a visit but missed by most.
Das wahre Kriminalmuseum
White RockSlightly shonky museum with some macabre exhibits.
Well worth walking down to the end for the views. Places to have a drink and some attractions. It won RIBA Building of the Year a few years ago.
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Hastings Pier Shop
1-10 White RockWell worth walking down to the end for the views. Places to have a drink and some attractions. It won RIBA Building of the Year a few years ago.
The world's largest underground skatepark!
Well worth a brief visit to see it in action, even if you don't like BMX or skateboarding
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Source BMX
White RockThe world's largest underground skatepark!
Well worth a brief visit to see it in action, even if you don't like BMX or skateboarding
Lovely independent cinema that also offers music and other performances, an art gallery and a restaurant. Recommended
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Kino-Teatr
43-49 Norman RdLovely independent cinema that also offers music and other performances, an art gallery and a restaurant. Recommended
Food scene
Old Town.
Very popular pub with good food and a nice "down from London" vibe
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The Crown
Ashford RoadOld Town.
Very popular pub with good food and a nice "down from London" vibe
Old Town.
The oldest pub in Hastings. Recent reports (July 22) that the food is amazing.
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Stag Inn
14 All Saints' StOld Town.
The oldest pub in Hastings. Recent reports (July 22) that the food is amazing.
Old Town.
Slightly old fashioned pub that does good food. Friendly and extremely cosy in winter with an open fire in the middle of the pub
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First In Last Out
14-15 High StreetOld Town.
Slightly old fashioned pub that does good food. Friendly and extremely cosy in winter with an open fire in the middle of the pub
Old Town.
Really good food. Can be quite noisy and busy at peak times
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Dragon Bar
71 George StOld Town.
Really good food. Can be quite noisy and busy at peak times
Old Town. Very popular and good value Thai set meals. All a bit eccentric
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Boulevard bookshop and Thai Cafe
32 George StOld Town. Very popular and good value Thai set meals. All a bit eccentric
Old Town.
Good food in a slightly charmless restaurant- better if you can eat outside.
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Webbe's Rock-a-Nore
1 Rock-a-Nore RdOld Town.
Good food in a slightly charmless restaurant- better if you can eat outside.
Old Town.
Usually excellent- large portions, locally caught fish. They often don't answer the phone and rarely call back if you leave a message- but keep trying!
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Rock a Nore Kitchen
23 Rock-a-Nore RdOld Town.
Usually excellent- large portions, locally caught fish. They often don't answer the phone and rarely call back if you leave a message- but keep trying!
Maggie's Fish & Chips
8-9 Rock-a-Nore RdOld Town.
Superior est-in fish and chips restaurant
Old Town.
Italian deli and restaurant. Sister restaurant to Bella Vista in St Leonards which is one of my favourites
La Delizia
19 East ParadeOld Town.
Italian deli and restaurant. Sister restaurant to Bella Vista in St Leonards which is one of my favourites
America Ground.
"Indian Fine Dining". The starters are usually the best thing, and the menu does differ to most Indian restaurants. The service can be a bit slow. But it is the closest restaurant- about 20 seconds away!
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Jali
7-11 Carlisle ParadeAmerica Ground.
"Indian Fine Dining". The starters are usually the best thing, and the menu does differ to most Indian restaurants. The service can be a bit slow. But it is the closest restaurant- about 20 seconds away!
America Ground-ish.
My favourite Indian restaurant locally- friendly staff and the usual menu choices, done well.
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Bay Spice
Eversfield PlaceAmerica Ground-ish.
My favourite Indian restaurant locally- friendly staff and the usual menu choices, done well.
Shish
42 Robertson StreetAmerica Ground.
Good Turkish food
No.8 Restaurant
8 Cambridge RoadAmerica Ground-ish.
Small local restaurant- very good
Heist
22-26 Norman RoadSt Leonards:
Hip bar/restaurant with various food concessions
Galleria Seafood Bar
39 Norman RoadSt Leonards:
Very good small seafood restaurant
La Bella Vista
8 Grand ParadeSt Leonards:
Nice smart Italian restaurant. I love it here
St Leonards:
Great food. Very popular since Jay Raynor reviewed it- and loved it
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The Royal
1 St Johns RdSt Leonards:
Great food. Very popular since Jay Raynor reviewed it- and loved it
Old Town:
Nice space with a lovely garden to the rear. Good food
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Porters Wine Bar
56 High StOld Town:
Nice space with a lovely garden to the rear. Good food
Rustico Italiano
31 Robertson StAmerica ground:
Good pizzas
Pubs for drinking
Old Town:
Proper boozer pub that very often has live bands playing
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The Jenny Lind Inn
69 High StOld Town:
Proper boozer pub that very often has live bands playing
Hastings Arms
2 George StOld Town:
Pub with fairly good food
The Jolly Fisherman
3 E Beach StOld Town:
Tiny and quirky little bar
Hastings- about 10 mins walk from the apartment inland on the Queens Road:
Nice fun pub- LGBTetc friendly
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The Fountain
93 Queens RdHastings- about 10 mins walk from the apartment inland on the Queens Road:
Nice fun pub- LGBTetc friendly
The St Leonard Public House
16-18 London RdSt Leonards:
Nice trendy pub
Graze on Grand
16 Grand ParadeSt Leonards seafront:
Sophisticated wine bar
Cactus Hound Bar
33 - 35 Western RdSt Leonards:
Cocktail bar- mainly tequila. Good fun place
America Ground.
Slightly hit and miss service on occasion, but its nearby and when its good, its a very good cocktail bar and restaurant
Le Petit Balcon
46 Robertson StreetAmerica Ground.
Slightly hit and miss service on occasion, but its nearby and when its good, its a very good cocktail bar and restaurant
Shops
Old Town. Beautifully "curated" shop selling old-fashioned hardware and homewares to very stylish people.
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A G Hendy & Co
36 High StOld Town. Beautifully "curated" shop selling old-fashioned hardware and homewares to very stylish people.
Old Town:
Merchant 67 (67 High Street)
Lovely "lifestyle" shop run by my best friends Bernie and Peter (yes, I am partial)
High Street
High StreetOld Town:
Merchant 67 (67 High Street)
Lovely "lifestyle" shop run by my best friends Bernie and Peter (yes, I am partial)
Butler's Emporium
70-71 George StOld Town:
Nice choice of ethnic bits, cards etc
Goods Depot
86 High StOld Town:
Superior, but not very friendly, antiques shop
Shop House Hastings
49 High StOld Town:
Eclectic and fun gifts
Old Town:
Unique clothes for men and women designed and made on the premises. This is a destination shop for an international clientele, but all done with great charm and reasonable pricing
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Warp & Weft
68a George StOld Town:
Unique clothes for men and women designed and made on the premises. This is a destination shop for an international clientele, but all done with great charm and reasonable pricing
America Ground:
Great hip homewares store- not open very much- mainly Friday and Saturday- most of their business is online.
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DYKE & DEAN HASTINGS
14 ClaremontAmerica Ground:
Great hip homewares store- not open very much- mainly Friday and Saturday- most of their business is online.
Trinity Wholefoods
3 Trinity StAmerica Ground:
Excellent vegan deli and shop
Wow and Flutter
8 Trinity StAmerica Ground:
Good record shop
America Ground:
Independent Sports shop with very knowledgeable staff and great service
Wisdens Hastings Ltd
1-2 Trinity StreetAmerica Ground:
Independent Sports shop with very knowledgeable staff and great service
E S K Wholesale Ltd
18-24 Cambridge RdAmerica Ground:
Weird local "superstore". Like a pound shop but far more useful
Spa
Eden House Day Spa Hastings
9 Cambridge RoadAmerica Ground:
I haven't been here, so don't know if its any good!
The Old Rectory
2 Harold RdOld Town:
There is a spa here apparently- I haven't been!
Café
St Leonards:
Very nice cafe on the beach in Bottle Alley. Very friendly, and dog-friendly.
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Starsky & Hatch
Eversfield PlaceSt Leonards:
Very nice cafe on the beach in Bottle Alley. Very friendly, and dog-friendly.
America Ground:
Very popular cafe. Book lined, reasonable coffee, simple food offering, newspapers available
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Hanushka Coffee House
28 George StAmerica Ground:
Very popular cafe. Book lined, reasonable coffee, simple food offering, newspapers available
America Ground:
Popular cafe with breakfast and lunch options
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Bullet Coffee House
38 Robertson StAmerica Ground:
Popular cafe with breakfast and lunch options
America Ground:
Best coffeee in town. takeaway or drink on the outside seating opposite
Stooge Coffee
4 Trinity StAmerica Ground:
Best coffeee in town. takeaway or drink on the outside seating opposite
Licence 2 Kale
37C Robertson StreetAmerica Ground:
Great smoothies
Goat Ledge
Warrior SquareSt Leonards:
Very popular cafe on. the beach in St Leonards
Waterfalls
23 Robertson StAmerica ground:
Genteel cafe on first floor of this gift shop- quiche, cake and tea