Hastings is a lovely seaside escape, steeped in history and surrounded by the stunning 1066 landscape; its quirky old town pours charm and character, whilst the newer side of town offers traditional British seaside vibes, with the pier, amusements and mini golf.
Rolling hills envelop Hastings, and it is dotted with interesting things to do. Both Hastings and St. Leonards are vibrant and creative melting pots, where you will find an eclectic mix of music and wellness events, galleries, museums and independent restaurants that are innovative and bold.
Hastings is the perfect weekend break for couples and families alike. We recently spent a beautiful spring weekend in Hastings as a couple, and we had the most relaxing time.
Where to Stay in Hastings
The Old Rectory
We stayed at The Old Rectory, a charming, boutique hotel which reflects the area’s creative and wellness scene. The brainchild of designer and owner, Lionel Copley, this stunning B&B style hotel has a full wellness suite, beautifully curated walled gardens and a revered cafe that prides itself on locally sourced ingredients and homemade food.
Just a stone’s throw from Hastings Old Town, The Old Rectory appears like a townhouse from the outside, with the inside beautifully combining old-world-style Georgian with modern-day whimsical interior design.
We were particularly struck by the lounge’s interiors, especially the deer antler chair in the drawing room. There is a lovely, homely feel in the lounge, effortlessly chic, with an honesty bar for guests to help themselves to refreshments out of hours.
Each room is named after a different street in Hastings, reflecting its focus on the hyperlocal. We stayed in the Sinnock room, a generously sized, beautifully designed light and airy room, with high ceilings, hand-painted wallpaper, a waterfall shower and a gorgeous chandelier. The bed was a real treat for tired parents, as it was huge, and you could tell the bed linens were of high quality.
The Old Rectory is the only boutique hotel in Hastings, meaning it is pretty popular and gets booked up fast, holding a Michelin Key for being a very special stay for the last two years in a row.
It also features in the prestigious Times and Sunday Times “50 Best Hotels in the UK” for 2026, and it is easy to see why, with a luxurious, home-away-from-home feel.
Following check-in, we took a stroll through the gorgeous walled gardens. It was brimming with wildlife here with the relaxing koi pond, numerous birdsong, damselflies and of course a signature Hastings seagull. The walled gardens are a gorgeous haven for relaxing.
Both the house and gardens can be hired for a wedding, which I can imagine would be the most beautiful location for this.
The Treatment Rooms at the Old Rectory
In the afternoon, I went on to enjoy a lovely full-body massage in The Treatment Rooms, a serene space on-site at The Old Rectory. Here, they use a local luxury skin care brand, Rock Rose, which is cruelty-free and uses 100% natural ingredients.
Feeling super relaxed, I headed back to Sinnock room to enjoy the waterfall shower and get ready for an evening of good drinks, great food and importantly a catch-up with my other half.
Where: The Old Rectory, 2 Harold Road, Hastings, TN35 5ND.
Food and Drink in Hastings
The Old Rectory Cafe
Brunch/Lunch at The Old Rectory
We arrived on a Saturday, just in time for midday brunch and made our way to The Old Rectory Cafe for a much-needed feed and refreshments following our drive from Worthing. This cafe gives laid-back yet homely vibes, with good coffee and an eclectic menu.
The food here is produce-led, with the menu moving through the seasons and produce sought from local suppliers. You can find in-house smoked fish and meats on the menu, freshly baked bread, home-made sausages and deliciously baked cakes.
I chose a delicious fusion omelette, whilst my husband enjoyed a chowder, sourdough with real butter. We enjoyed this on the outside terrace, which served as a lovely little sun trap during our afternoon brunch.
The Old Rectory Cafe is open to the public, alongside guests, and often runs pop-ups alongside local chefs, such as Three Souls in a Bowl.
Guests can also book ahead and enjoy an Afternoon Tea, a Sunday Roast or keep an eye out for the rotating seasonal supper clubs.
Breakfast at The Old Rectory
We enjoyed a delicious two-course breakfast the next morning at The Old Rectory in the hand-painted dining room. Guests can enjoy a cooked-to-order, homemade breakfast, included in the stay.
There are plenty of options on the menu, with much of it made in-house. The homemade marmalade is multi-award-winning; I ended up bringing a jar of it home.
To start, we had some much-needed, freshly-brewed coffee and fresh orange juice. I then had the most delicious Greek yoghurt, maple granola and compote, while the other half enjoyed the blueberry and oat milk smoothie.
I enjoyed the vegetarian breakfast, and my other half had the in-house cured bacon buttie with The Old Rectory brown sauce. You will also find kippers and salmon on the menu, which is smoked in-house, alongside homemade sausage patties, hash browns and baked beans. There is a good selection on the menu for dietary requirements, additionally.
Barista and the Shack
On the Saturday evening, we took a stroll along the seafront from Hastings Old Town up to St. Leonards for our night out. We wanted to make the most of the beautiful spring weather whilst also clocking up some steps.
We found this colourful place along the promenade serving up refreshing drinks and snacks. This is a buzzy little place where dogs are welcome; it has a lovely atmosphere, great views and good tunes playing. This is a real gem, and I want to return for morning coffee sometime soon!
I had a couple of shandies here whilst the other half had some Guinness. We also shared a can of my favourite Perello olives.
Where: Barista and the Shack, Lower Promenade , Hastings, United Kingdom, TN37 6FA
Ritual Bar
We then moved on to Hastings and St Leonards’ only seafront cocktail bar, Ritual Bar which was a real treat. Serving up eclectic twists on classic cocktails, craft beers and a decent selection of wines, this place was teeming on a Saturday night, but the service was still excellent.
This is a cosy but vibey little spot, with a relaxed atmosphere, nice decor and a collection of fine art on the walls. You can grab a table inside, or on a nicer day, there are tables outside where you can enjoy the perfect sundowner and a salty snack.
Where: 8, Marine Court, RITUAL BAR, Saint Leonards-on-sea TN38 0DX
BAYTE
We had such a lovely date night at BAYTE, a modern European restaurant, putting St. Leonards on the map as a must-visit culinary destination. With a strong emphasis on locally sourced, high-quality produce, the menu changes weekly, in line with seasonal and crop changes.
Ushered in through large drawn curtains, you step into a wide open atrium with high ceilings, elegant yet rustic, guests can see the chefs hard at work over the flaming charcoal grill.
This former antiques store has a warm and buzzy atmosphere, greeted by the attentive maître d, we had a wonderful meal on a busy Saturday night.
There is a farm-to-table ethos here at BAYTE, with the meat being free-range and reared on biodynamic, organic Haye Farm in Devon. Whilst many of the fruit, vegetables and herbs have been lovingly grown and cultivated through their very own food forest, Goat Grid, near Lewes.
I was delighted to see delicious vegetarian options on the menu, as occasionally, upmarket places can be very meat-heavy. The seasonal menu blends global influences with particular reference to Italian recipes, including hand-rolled pastas.
To start, we shared a delicious, bouncy, crusty focaccia with butter. For smaller plates, we shared the raw artichoke, pine nuts, mint and parmesan, which was delicious and moreish.
We then shared the sea bream carpaccio, citrus and chilli. I was blown away by the flavours and textures of this dish; it was delicate and fresh.
For mains, I enjoyed the BBQ hake, artichoke, spinach and beurre blanc while the carnivore other half enjoyed the Wagyu steak with salsa verde. He could not stop raving about the most delicious flame-grilled artichokes, which were slightly charred but packed with flavour. We shared a side of lovage buttered pink fir potatoes.
I had just enough room for their stellar pudding choices, so I opted for a delicious brioche dessert with creme fraiche custard, rhubarb and ginger. We both left suitably stuffed and raving about our meal.
Where: BAYTE, 45-46 Kings Rd, St Leonards, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 6DY.
Maggies Fish and Chips
We spent the next morning exploring Old Town and opted for a traditional seaside lunch at Maggie’s Fish and Chips. You will find some of the best fish and chips on the coast here, which explains why it gets so busy, so booking is advised!
This fish was fried to perfection; it was light, crispy, and not at all greasy. They had all the sides you would expect from a fish-and-chip restaurant (mushy peas and curry sauce for me) and gorgeous chips. I loved the choice of alternative sodas; I opted for the dandelion and burdock.
I can never manage a full adult portion of fish and chips, so they were more than happy to provide a child’s portion (which was still big!).
Sadly, we were too stuffed for pudding, but I did love the sound of the homemade sticky toffee pudding! There are lovely sea views from here and the option to dine on the balcony.
Where: 8-9 Rock-a-Nore Rd, Hastings TN34 3DW
What To Do in Hastings
East Hill
After our check-out from the Old Rectory on Sunday morning, we took a short walk up to East Hill, which is accessible via marked pathways from the hotel.
Here you will find panoramic views of Hastings town and across the English Channel. You can also access Hastings Country Park from here. Some steps then lead down to the main part of the town.
East Hill Funicular
If you didn’t fancy walking, or for the novelty of it, the East Hill Funicular is the UK’s steepest funicular railway, which has been active since Victorian times. It is a fun way to travel to the top of East Hill and to access the stunning Hastings Country Park.
Hastings Contemporary
On Sunday morning, following our hike up East Hill, we enjoyed the exhibitions at the Hastings Contemporary, a vast space hosting world-class contemporary and local art.
You will find the location easily, as it is a striking black building, which reflects the surrounding black fisherman huts that Hastings is famous for.
I spent over an hour moseying through the gallery, soaking in the wonderful creations. Currently on show is the Odyssey Exhibition, which showcases over 150 local artists through means of textiles, ceramics, paintings, photography, drawings and more.
This theme reflects on journeys shaped by tides, time, and transformation, on the restless call of the sea and the stories it inspires.
I adored the heartwarming children’s exhibitions and had to get a couple of gifts from the gift shop to bring home. I found many of the exhibitions quite moving, it is definitely worth factoring in a visit to Hastings Contemporary on your weekend in Hastings.
Where: Rock-a-Nore Rd, Hastings TN34 3DW
The Old Town
The Old Town in Hastings is full of independent businesses and worth a mosey. We spent about an hour just flitting in and out of shops. There are some lovely gift shops, book shops, antique shops, clothes shops and more.
The architecture here is so interesting, with a mishmash of old Tudor-style buildings. There are many twittens winding around this area that are great for exploring. There are also some lovely cafes to stop off and have a coffee and cake. We had a nice stop off at Petit Fi for some homemade cake and a latte.
Where: George Street, Hastings, TN34 3EG
Museums
There are a number of museums you can visit in Hastings. The Stade is known as a “living museum”. Starting from the Fishermen’s Museum, explore the interesting historic buildings, twittens and cat creeps.
Both the Fishermen’s and Shipwreck Museums are worth a visit, providing a rich insight into Hastings’ maritime history.
How To Get To Hastings
Hastings is located in East Sussex. You can get a train from London Bridge in just over 85 minutes. Alternatively, if you are in or near Brighton, it can take a direct train in around 68 minutes.
Hastings is a great coastal weekend break. We were delighted to return as a couple, having had many great Family Days Out here and weekend breaks with little ones. We are already looking forward to returning.
This post features a gifted stay and some gift meals, thanks to Coast Collective. All opinions are my own.