... I just happened to mention that I had always though Hastings was 'up North' and that the famous battle of 1066, you know the one that virtually changed the face of England had also happened up there.
My daughter had, by some ill chance been studying the Normans at school last year and she ... Read review
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Advantages: Beautiful views, so much history Disadvantages: Wont take you long to look!
...that I had always though Hastings was 'up North' and that the famous battle of 1066, you know the one that virtually changed the face of England had also happened up there.
My daughter had, by some ill chance been studying the Normans at school last year and she thought it was hysterical. Alan just thought it one of those daft-ass blonde moments I've been having lately.
So being only 12 miles from Rye, we travelled to ... ...we wanted to go to Hastings Castle. When we could find it, which took a while. There are no clear directions to it from the main road into Hastings, hence we ended up on the other side of town where the only thing to do was pop into a small museum and pick up some tourist info. So off we set back to the centre of town, to cut a long story short we ended up parking in a store car park and finally seeing it perched on a cliff when we got out. Thanks ... more
Boy, did I make my family laugh last week, did I ever keep them amused for hours. I was the subject of ridicule for at least 36 hours. Why? It was a simple honest enough mistake.
It was whilst we were driving on a trip our, we'd been holidaying near Rye. I just happened to mention that I had always though Hastings was 'up North' and that the famous battle of 1066, you know the one that virtually changed the face of England had also happened up there.
My daughter had, by some ill chance been studying the Normans at school last year and she thought it was hysterical. Alan just thought it one of those daft-ass blonde moments I've been having lately.
So being only 12 miles from Rye, we travelled to the seaside town of Hastings, ( I didn't even know it was on the coast!), which turned out to be a lovely place. But we weren't there to sit on the beach, we wanted to go to Hastings Castle. When we could find it, which took a while. There are no clear directions to it from the main road into Hastings, hence we ended up on the other side of town where the only thing to do was pop into a small museum and pick up some tourist info. So off we set back to the centre of town, to cut a long story short we ended up parking in a store car park and finally seeing it perched on a cliff when we got out. Thanks to the small map in the leaflet we headed off in the general direction.
And what a great way to lose weight! Up a nice steep hill, but still no directions. At the top of the hill we had to go into a shop to male sure we were heading in the right direction. Hurrah at last we were there! Cant say I was too impressed at first, a bit of a dirt path with some shields on posts, flanked by a few gardens full of junk. I suppose expecting a grandiose entrance to a castle that's been ruined for centuries was a bit much to ask!
We trotted off to the entrance which turned out to be a rather homely little hut straddling the path. If you're a souvenir gatherer don't expect a nice gift shop selling models of the castle! The entrance 'hut' has a few models of Norman soldiers, some books with information about the Castle and the Normans and some colouring pictures which seemed quite reasonable. And to our rather thirsty horror, not a drinks machine in sight!!
Its a very reasonable price considering its all used in the upkeep of the castle. Prices are: Adult £3.20, Child £2.10, Senior citizen £2.60, Family £9.50 and under 5's are free. So you're through the hut and up some old steps. I'm telling you this places is not at all suitable for wheelchairs. Up the steps are you're there. And I mean there. If you've been to the Tower of London or some Welsh castles you may be expecting some spectacular sight, well you will see a spectacular sight. It just happens to be a fantastic view of the sea and the town, as what's left (and it isn't a lot) is completely in ruins.
You have the East end of the cloister left, which Brandon was happily running around until we noticed the grass bumps he was jumping up ad down on were in fact graves! Obviously the bones were long gone but a sense of propriety soon stopped him.
There was a steep bank of steps leading to a bench where you could sit and look at the stunning views and sit against the tallest remaining wall. A couple of steps along and you come to one of the most complete of the structures, a walk along wall and two ruined towers. These gave a wonderful view along the coast including the East Cliff railway which travels almost vertically up the cliff. Fine view for spotting rampaging Saxons!!
In front of each of these structures is a large boarding showing the building as it would have been and with lots of info about them in English as well as German, French and Spanish. Wonderfully informative.
Then cam the spooky bit of the buildings, the dungeons are the most intact 'Cept they aint very scary or very big, walk down 5 steps in each passageway and you're there! What is upsetting is that people have felt free to scribble all over the wall and carve obscene messages in them. Gotta say that it was quite horrifying to think of people shut into these little tiny spaces.
We of course wanted to see the show! Which was described as taking part in an 'authentic medieval siege tent'. Obviously my history from school completely failed me cos I don't remember siege tents being made of wood and have paintings of horses on them!! What it was an audio-visual story of the Castle and its history up to the present day. And I do have to say that it was quite fascinating, they recreate the castle for you, and yes, we did find out that the passage that the rest of the family decided to brave and take a wander down was, in fact, a toilet! I learned more about Medieval history that day then I did at school! It was definitely the highlight of the trip, it was also explained to us that the castle was much. Much bigger than the tiny ruins that's left as the majority of it crashed into the sea and unfortunately the cliff and eventually the castle will erode and disappear completely. I would say don't go in there if you are claustrophobic or scared of the dark!! You do get shut in, and the place is absolutely pitch black with no light then what comes off the screen. And with the battle scenes screaming away on the video small children may find it quite scary!!
Value for money? Yes, I think so, there wasn't much there, children may get bored very easily and you may be a little disappointed but its definitely worth the money just to see such a place of historical value and its beautiful view but also to know that you are helping to preserve it. If you're ever in the area, just pop along and remember to take the camera!
The Castle is on, appropriately enough Castle Hill Road in Hastings. To save yourself a rather long arduous walk, I suggest you stay on the sea front and walk along to the West Cliff railway, which is an almost vertical ride up the cliff and stops just by the entrance, wonderful views apparently!! Tel (01424) 781111
Opening times: Daily October to 26th March, 11am, last admission 3.30pm closed 24th-26th December; 27th March to end September 10am to 5pm (last admission during school summer holidays 5.30pm).
Advantages: Historic locations, seaside atmosphere Disadvantages: Fading tourist town going down the pan!
...have seen the development of Hastings as a tourist destination over thhe past twenty-odd years first-hand, so here goes...
First off let me just say that I am writing this review chiefly for prospective tourists of the 18-40 age range primarily, as this is the limit of my experience and perception. In any case Hastings seems to attract the older tourists in droves throughout the year anyway...
Situated in sunny East Sussex, Hastings is perhaps ... ...The infamous Battle of Hastings took place a few miles up the road, and William the Conqueror's invasion began whhen he and the Normans landed at Pevensey, several miles along the coast.
If you come to Hastings for the history then you won't be disappointed, although deceptively the actual battle-site is at Battle, a small but beautiful village a few miles inland of Hastings. There is a Norman-built castle in Hastings itself, although a far superior ...
Grammarman 16.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hastings (England)
Advantages: Plenty to see and do. Disadvantages: Pebbly beach and some dodgy places and situations.
...There is more to Hastings that its beach, I’ll have you know. There’s a wide range of stuff you can do, if you know where to look and you don’t mind being mugged. I jest, but it’s main garden, Alexandra Park has something of a reputation for being more than a little hazardous from dusk till dawn. I go running through the park and I must say that in the sunshine, it is beautiful. I run from about midway into the park and it’s where the flower garden ... ...had left. Hastings seemed so much more natural than Camber. Camber was fraught with family holiday stresses that such a lovely beach brings. We passed car after car after miserable looking car on the road to the beach, each one filled with sour faced families, post apocalyptic argument and all sunburned. We went to The Chippy and I queued for fifteen minutes only to be given a ticket and told I’d be given a shout when it was done. Quoi? Hastings ...
relentless_behaviour 15.07.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hastings (England)
Advantages: Lots to do and Lots to See Disadvantages: Read the review
I have been living in Hastings since I have been living here that’s coming up 19 years and boy has it change alot in that time.
Hastings is a busy town just on the outside of St. Leonard’s-on-sea and near Fairlight.
***Activities***
Hastings has many activities for all ages for example: The Mini Golf on the seafront. The Adventure Golf, which has only just been finished, is superb for people wanting to find out if they are going to ... ...not for the faint hearted.
Hastings is a big place for all those gamblers out there who want to put money in those dreadful slot machines. You can find most of these on the sea front.
We have recently got a new ODEON cinema put in over the road from the Town Hall.
***Shopping Centres***
We have got a new shopping Centre directly in the middle of the town, which has been there for about 7 years now. Priory Meadow, which is the name of the shopping ...
Sexy_Young_God 30.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hastings (England)
Advantages: Nice in summer Disadvantages: Dank and dismal in winter
...of ours moved down to Hastings last month so we thought we'd make a weekend of it and go and see them. We booked into a Guest House along the front, the only reasonable one with a family room, the only draw back was the parking. Being on the seafront it was all residents permits or pay and display, but the guesthouse always checked with its guests where they were parked and if it was on a Sunday they would always let you know when you needed to have ... ...We were situated by Hastings Pier and I have to admit that we didn't venture onto it, the weather was particularly bad that day. Before we met up with our friends we tried out the many sea front coffee shops in Hastings. This particular one we tried was called, I think, The Moon, or The Cave (sorry I can't remember). For two coffees, one hot chocolate and a soft drink along with muffins and a danish the whole lot came to under a tenner and was delicious!
...
MitchellandAimeesMum 07.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hastings (England)
Advantages: Everything close together and with St. Leonards is two towns in one Disadvantages: Can get a bit grubby after the Saturday night crowd turn out
Hastings will be forever associated with 1066 and all that - hey, the local radio station has been named Arrow FM! But realise that the Normans came ashore at Pevensey (rather further down the coast) and the fighting took place at Battle (6 miles inland), Hastings starts to look like a candidate for trading standards.
But Hastings is happening. Home to a strong music scene, and on the map if you want a decently priced South East England home; Hastings ... ...try here as well. Hastings boasts an award winning fish restaurant/take away that has queues 100 yards outside the door by frying time most nights. It also has one of the most child-friendly attitudes I've met anywhere - taking our two anywhere hasn't posed a problem, there are good changing areas all over town, and the toy stores all have the patience of angels for little dears who run riot. Oh, and Clambers is one of the coasts premier kids play ...
HArmfield 07.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Hastings (England)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
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