Quiet Gem on the South Coast Hastings is a small town on the South Coast of Sussex near Brighton and derives its name from the famous Battle of Hastings in 1066 that involved the Norman conquest of England. The town used to be a mediaeval fishing port and still has the largest beach based fishing fleet in England. However, as an international port it no longer trades and is more popular as a seaside resort. It competes with Brighton for tourists and generally attracts a slightly more mature group due to its peaceful environment and absence of large, noisy nightclubs. Rocky Cliffs or Promenade Stroll The town has plenty of natural beauty due to its proximity on the coast. Although the beach is rocky and the weather is mostly rather cool it still regains its charm as a typical English seaside resort with a lovely promenade for strolls. There are plenty of stunning cliff top walks nearby known as the South Downs which is high above Hastings and looks down onto the town and across the sea. Festivals and More Festivals throughout the Summer Months Depending on when you visit the town you can enjoy many traditional festivities. The largest occurring during the May Bank Holiday weekend when the entire district becomes a fair ground, plus a Mayday Run whereby tens of thousands of motorcyclists travel along the A21 from London to Hastings. There is also a cute Old Town that hosts a mini carnival every August including a street party and a pram race. September hosts a series of wine festivals and in October the Hastings Bonfire Society performs a torch light procession through the streets culminating in a beach bonfire and firework display. A pleasant weekend trip and pleasing on your pocket too The town of Hastings is a place for gentle strolls along the coastline either using the promenade that runs the length of the town or from the cliffs nearby. The town is littered with cheap but cheerful lodging opportunities, making it an affordable place to visit unlike some of the larger towns nearby which can be quite expensive. It is also easy to get to from London and has excellent train links so if it’s a quiet weekend away you are looking for then this is definitely the town for you.