If ever there was a year for the great British seaside, this is it, right?! Last year we went to Deal and Whitstable and loved it (so much so that we’re doing a caravan trip to Whitstable next month!), and have been wanting to add a few different places to venture with the kids. This month, we tried Hastings. Just a few hours from London, it was the perfect day out for a family (although for us, most of it was spent on the pier rides!). And if you manage to squeeze in time to browse the antique stores? Even better.
As we only spent a day there, I asked a few locals (and Instagram faves) for their tips on where best to head in the town…
@No2hastings is a brilliant interiors account based in Hastings and kindly sent us some recommendations for their hometown:
OLD TOWN, HASTINGS
Sea Whistle for beautiful children’s clothes
The Clockwork Crow
Roberts Rummage
Antiques warehouse
A.G Hendy Homestore
WHERE TO EAT
The Pelican (for brunch and lunch)
The Royal
Farmyard
AREAS
St Leonards is the creative area, full of creative independent shops and coffee shops.
Rock a nore for a more quiet side of the beach, you can also get the miniature railway from there which kids will love
The East hill lift which gives you beautiful views of the sea and all over Hastings.
Dyke & Dean is a shop I discovered online and is one of my go-tos for interiors shopping – and their beautiful store is in Hastings.
The store is obviously a must visit (they sell my favourite splatterware!), but they have also offered some great tips, too:
FOOD AND DRINK
Stooge Coffee
Jolly Fisherman pub
TO DO
Crazy golf on the sea front
Warp & Weft clothing store
Little Mashers creative kids store and workshops
Even though Hastings is a long trip for me here, it looks delightful. What better time to support independent shops too. This is what always attracts to a place and makes me want to return. We all need to support local at this time wherever we may holiday or live. Looking forward to more of these guides Alex.