Traditions and culture in Hastings

Hastings was predominantly known best until recent times as a fishing town and for being the site of the battle which signalled the beginning of the Norman Conquest in England in 1066.

It briefly flirted with becoming a major port but a number of attempts to establish a harbour down the centuries have been floored by storms, rising sea levels and a lack of funds.

The town boasts the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe, which has been based at the Stade for at least 400 years and recently won accreditation for operating in an impressively sustainable fashion.

Any holiday guide nowadays would tend to point to the number of historical landmarks in Hastings, such as the battered remains of the castle on sandstone cliffs and the pier, which has recently been closed.

Similarly, the old town contains a number of buildings dating back several hundred years which give Hastings a very traditional feel.

Things to do in Hastings

Hastings has established itself as a popular holiday destination, developing noticeably since the days when pre-Raphaelite artists retreated to its shores to be inspired by its peaceful charms.

Many of the attractions possess a definitive cultural essence, such as the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, the Old Town Hall Museum and the Fisherman's Museum.

The multi-purpose White Rock Theatre, which hosts events such as the Hastings Music Festival, and the Stables Theatre, which shows local production and doubles as an art exhibition centre, also play a prominent role.

Other notable attractions which draw in those who book flights to the south coast and head to Hastings are largely centred around the Fishmarket, including a miniature railway, fairground rides and amusement arcades.

Cliff railway lines take visitors to the caves and Hastings Country Park, which is a pleasant, light-wooded green space that is worth a leisurely stroll around on a warm afternoon.

Weather in Hastings

The climate in Hastings mirrors that of most of the south of England, which is largely temperate with mild-to-warm summers and mild-to-cold winters.

Temperatures can hit the high 20s (Celsius) on particularly warm days, while the winters can also see bitterly cold evenings which drop below freezing on occasion.

Destination checklist for Hastings

Hastings has a population of 86,200.

The town is on GMT/UTC time.

The official currency is the pound.

English is the official language spoken.

The town's international dialling code is +44.