#OfftheBeatenTrack is NationalRail.com’s tribute to the tracks less travelled – finding hidden gems amongst towns and stations that don’t regularly attract the headlines or the limelight.
Today, we are looking at Hastings, famous amongst schoolchildren across the country as the scene of a rather well-known battle in 1066. Technically, the battle took place in, erm, Battle, just outside Hastings, and that’s also well worth a look if you can find the time. But what else is there to Hastings? Let’s find out…
So why not take the train somewhere new today? Remember, you can buy all your train tickets at nationalrail.com – so what are you waiting for? Book train tickets with us today.
Town/city: Hastings.
Population: 90,300.
By train: Hastings is about 90 minutes away on a direct train from London Charing Cross. There are slightly faster trains from the capital, from St Pancras, but you’ll have to change at Ashford.
Things to do: Hastings is definitely one for the history buffs. While the town was first mentioned around 800AD, there is evidence that the settlement dates back to the Bronze and Iron ages.
Hastings Old Town is a quaint, attractive little town, full of bistros and bars along cobbled streets. It has a great atmosphere, especially on long summer evenings,
The Smugglers Adventure attraction, on West Hill, is worth seeing, especially if you have children, and, as the name implies, celebrates the town’s smuggler heritage.
As mentioned above, if you really want to get to the heart of the Battle of Hastings, then you need to head to the town of Battle, (confusing, we know) – but it has a magnificent abbey, completed around 30 years after the battle, and a museum of local history.
Away from the historical attractions, Hastings has a magnificent country park, on the coast and benefiting from that slightly warmer south coast climate that means it’s frequently host to flowers and bird life that aren’t seen in many other parts of the UK.
Or, why not take in a spooky walking tour of the Old Town, which rumour has it is rife with haunted areas and sightings?
Did you know? The fishing fleetat Hastings is estimated to have been running for as long as 600 years, and to this day remains Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet. It has won accreditation for its sustainable fishing methods.
Whetted your appetite? Return to our home page to book your train tickets to Hastings.
