Hastings is a large town located on the South East Coast of England. In recent years the local economy has declined and the town receives regeneration money from the European Union. However, visitors should not be put off from planning a full day to explore a place rich in English historical places to visit and many modern attractions that inform and are genuinely entertaining.

There is no immediately clear reason why Hastings should suffer from disadvantage when compared to, for example, its large neighbour to the west, Brighton. It has a very attractive setting, many very fine houses and a remarkably conserved Old Town, and contains within its Borough boundaries a major cliff top country park. It has a well documented depth of history.

The smaller town of Battle, just a short train ride from Hastings is reputed to be the last resting place of King Harold, who came second in the Battle of Hastings 1066. You can wander through the ruins of Battle Abbey to the spot where Harold was clubbed, not shot through the eye - now marked by a memorial stone.

Both towns have wonderful country walks either along cliff tops or through leafy lanes in summer.

The name is Norman French for "five ports" – the five being Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich. They are supported by the two ancient towns of Rye and Winchelsea, whose councils traditionally maintained defence contingents for the realm of England.

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Hastings flourished as an influential Cinque Port. In 1287 its harbour creek was silted up by the same storm which washed away nearby Winchelsea, forcing the settlement to be temporarily abandoned. These days, Hastings is a curious mixture of traditional seaside resort, arty retreat popular with painters (there's even a street and quarter named Bohemia) and unpretentious fishing port.

William, Duke of Normandy, landed at Pevensey Bay a few miles west of town and made Hastings his base, but his forces met Harold's army - exhausted after quelling a Nordic invasion near York - at Battle , six miles northwest of Hastings. Battle today boasts a magnificent abbey built by William in thanks for his victory, which makes for a good afternoon's excursion from Hastings. 

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, Hastings flourished as an influential Cinque Port. In 1287 its harbour creek was silted up by the same storm which washed away nearby Winchelsea, forcing the settlement to be temporarily abandoned. These days, Hastings is a curious mixture of traditional seaside resort, arty retreat popular with painters (there's even a street and quarter named Bohemia) and unpretentious fishing port. 

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Some Wikipedia Dry Facts

Hastings is a town and Borough of East Sussex in South East England. It is best known for its connection with the Battle of Hastings 1066, which actually occurred north of the town at Senlac Hill; the battle is commemorated today in the town of Battle. Hastings was one of the Cinque Ports, but its significance as a port declined after the 19th century and its main industry became fishing. It still has the largest beach-based fishing fleet in England based in The Stade in Hastings Old Town.

HASTINGS Old Town, east of the pier, holds most of the appeal of this fading seaside resort. All Saints Street is punctuated with the odd timber-framed dwelling from the fifteenth century. The thirteenth-century St Clement's church stands in the High Street, on the other side of The Bourne. 

There's a trio of nautical attractions on the adjacent Rock-a-Nore Road: the Fisherman's Museum (daily: April-Oct 10am-5pm; Nov-March 11am-4pm; free), a converted seaman's chapel, offers an account of the port's commercial activities; the neighbouring Shipwreck Heritage Centre (Feb-Easter daily 11am-4pm; Easter-Oct daily 10am-5pm; £1), details the dramas of unfortunate mariners; while the Underwater World , opposite (daily: Easter-Sept 10am-5pm; Oct-Easter 10am-4pm; £5.25; ), features walk-through tunnels and magnified tanks housing marine creatures. 

To the east of the town is the Hastings Country Park. This is an area of 2.67 km² of lightly wooded and open land extending from Hastings approximately 3 miles along the cliff tops to Fairlight.

Another family pool with wave machine and water slide is situated at Glyne Gap, on the coast mid-way between Bexhill and Hastings. Glyne Gap also sports a bowling alley and shopping centre.

Town of Battle and Battle Abbey

The town of BATTLE - a ten-minute train ride from Hastings - occupies the site of the most famous land battle in British history. Here, on October 14, 1066, the invading Normans overcame the Anglo-Saxon army of King Harold, who was killed not by an arrow through the eye - a myth resulting from the misinterpretation of the Bayeux Tapestry - but from a workaday clubbing about the head. Before the battle took place, William vowed that, should he win the engagement, he would build a religious foundation on the very spot of Harold's slaying to atone for the bloodshed and, true to his word, Battle Abbey (daily: April-Sept 10am-6pm; Oct 10am-5pm; Nov-March 10am-4pm; £4.30; EH) was built four years later and subsequently occupied by a fraternity of Benedictines. The magnificent structure, though partially destroyed in the Dissolution and much rebuilt and revised over the centuries, still dominates the town with the huge gatehouse, added in 1338, now containing a good audio-visual exhibition on the battle. You can wander through the ruins of the abbey to the spot where Harold was clubbed - the site of the high altar of William's abbey, now marked by a memorial stone.