Back after a very long absence! Cant believe I've only written one review in nearly 2 years! Anyway ...
Back after a very long absence! Cant believe I've only written one review in nearly 2 years! Anyway back now and hope to be reading, rating and writing lots!
Member since:16.09.2001
Reviews:160
Members who trust:49
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).
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Geography is obviously not your strong point but then Leeds Castle is not anywhere near Leeds in Yorkshire so the names of these places doesn't always help! Great review. Hoping to visit Hastings when I holiday in Eastbourne in a fortnight. Will look out for this. Yvonne
Craggles84 16.10.2003 03:08
I can sympathise with the whole thinking Hastings is up north thing because it sounds like it should be, lol. Sounds like it's a really worthwhile trip. Maybe when i'm not wasting my money i'll make the journey myself. Cheers, Craig.
carminator 08.09.2003 16:52
My knowledge of history often makes my step children laugh! Brilliant op!
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Venere.com Hotel Booking<br>
Instantly book your Hotel, B&B or Appartment with Venere.com. Huge European selection with photos, reviews, maps and rates. Booking Direct means Lower Prices. Book now, pay on Check out.
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
HArmfield 07.09.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: 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
HArmfield 07.09.2001 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Hastings (England)
Advantages: peaceful, pretty, the beach, interesting history, reasonable weather Disadvantages: not great for shopping, not much to keep young people there
very helpful by (100%):
