From our base in Worthing we took the train to Hastings changing at Brighton. There is plenty to see in this charming town on the coast. We started our exploration by walking up the old town High Street with its variety of small and sometimes quirky shops. It was there that we spotted an attractive cafe, which was actually part of a Georgian guest house the Laindons.
After noticing a fingerpost denoting a footpath to Sinnock Square we went up steps leading to Croft Road. At this junction, there was the distinctive double-fronted Grade II Regency house that was the setting for the ITV drama Foyles War. With its unusual curved frontage and window shutters it is just one of the picture postcard properties in this part of Hastings old town. St Clements Church nearby was rebuilt in 1380. It has some interesting bits of history inside and some very recent glass balustrades and imaginative lighting. From there we walked up steep Coberg Place to West Hill and the ruins of Hastings Castle.
Here there is a magnificent panoramic view of Hastings and the sea beyond. From the top, we took the West Hill Cliff Railway back down to the seafront – a back to front way of doing things, but that was OK! on the prom, there was a variety of amusements such as adventure golf, miniature railway and a boating lake.
We saw a large number of fishing boats on the pebbly shore before strolling back through George Street and on towards the station. Despite all the steep streets and steps, Hastings is a pretty place to visit and very relaxing.