Sometimes London can be a lot, and a trip out of the city could be just what the soul needs. If you are craving some fresh air, hopping on a Southeastern train at London Bridge and being delivered to Hastings in a swift one hour and 30 minutes is an excellent, hassle-free option for escaping the hustle and bustle of the Big Smoke.
Not only will you get to enjoy the rolling countryside of East Sussex as you zip from A to B, but the rail journey won’t break the bank, either. With Southeastern, a single Advance ticket to the town from London Bridge station can cost as little as £14.40, and if you buy directly through the Southeastern website there are no booking fees. Plus, the earlier you buy (Type As, we’re looking at you), the cheaper your fare could be.
Fancy checking out Hastings for yourself? Here’s Time Out’s guide to five things you can’t miss on a trip to the seaside town.
Get your caffeine fix at the bookish Hanushka Coffee House, a local institution for all of Hastings’ coffee drinkers. The George Street café is popular among everyone from students to hipsters who come to Hanushka to sip flat whites, munch on paninis and browse the hundreds of volumes of the café’s impressive floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. It would be easy to while away a good few hours at the cosy spot – but you’ve got places to be.
A striking black building along the Old Town seafront, Hastings Contemporary looks like a futuristic anomaly among the rickety fishing sheds of Rock-a-Nore. Inside, the two-storey gallery hosts changing exhibitions of current artworks spanning painting, sculpture, textiles and more, many by local artists, while often running a free show. Better still, if you’re bringing kids, you can save even more pennies if you buy one adult ticket and travel with up to four kids (aged 5-15) for just £1 on off-peak Southeastern services (plus, under 5s go free). Upstairs, Hastings Contemporary has also got a fantastic restaurant: Coquina, a laid-back affair with a sea view, serving tapas and inventive cocktails. If the weather’s good, sit on the balcony and watch the fishing boats as you sink a few spritzes – made even more enjoyable knowing you won’t have to drive home.
If you eat anything in Hastings, make it one Goat Ledge’s legendary fish finger sandwiches. This colourful seafood shack is beloved among locals, and for good reason. Found on the seafront along the stretch of shingle that runs between Hastings and St Leonards, the Goat Ledge is probably as close you can get to being on the beach while also enjoying a cold one. As well as sandos, soups and homemade cakes, Goat Ledge serves hot drinks, wine, cider and locally brewed beers. An excellent sunset-watching spot.
Hastings’ Old Town is famous for its antique shops – so much so that people in the TV and film industry have been coming to the town in search of props for eons. Make Hastings Antiques Warehouse your first stop. This five-storey emporium is a veritable treasure trove stocking everything from Victorian jewellery to vintage military paraphernalia. Then make your way up High Street, where you’ll find an abundance of well-stocked retailers including Robert’s Curios, AG Hendy & Co and Goods Depot.
Just up the road in neighbouring St Leonards, Kino-Teatr is the best place to round out an action-packed day in Hastings, whatever you fancy doing. An independent cinema, live music venue and art gallery all in one, it’s lovingly known by locals as a hub for getting your cultural fix, and is housed in an historic building dating back to 1913 that still retains its unique domed cinema ceiling and raked seating. There’s a restaurant and two bars, too, while the regularly-changing roster of events always keeps things fun and interesting. Catch a flick or exhibition, or simply grab a pint.
Buy your train ticket direct from the Southeastern website and pay no booking fees. Terms and conditions apply to ticket types mentioned. Visit the Southeastern website for details.