The seaside town has been crowned by Time Out as the UK’s second top destination to visit and the best in England, with a bustling high street
A bustling seaside town, known for its lively high street brimming with independent shops and a vibrant arcade scene, has been identified as one of the must-see destinations for 2026.
If you, like me, spent your childhood in the South East of England, the large, somewhat eerie face of the caterpillar ride at Hastings’ Flamingo Park is likely etched into your memory. Many delightful days were spent aboard this slow-moving larva, arms raised high in joy, before it was sadly retired earlier this decade.
While the ride may be a thing of the past, Hastings – recently hailed by Time Out as the UK’s second top destination to visit this year and the best in England – is very much thriving. The East Sussex town, home to 90,000 residents, now offers a faster train service to London, taking just one hour and 23 minutes.
This makes commuting to the capital a viable option, particularly in the era of flexible working post-Covid. However, instead of focusing on leaving Hastings, there are plenty of attractions within the town itself to keep you entertained.
The Old Town is the perfect location for a shopping spree or a relaxed amble through the enchanting High Street and George Street, whose tilted buildings rival York’s famous Shambles. This area is brimming with antique, interior design and brocante shops, reports the Express.
From retro typewriters at the Goods Depot and distinctive pottery and artwork at Butler and George, to a wealth of discoveries at Hastings Antiques Warehouse and Roberts Rummage, there’s something to suit all tastes.
Hastings distinguishes itself as a town where the high street thrives, and independent boutiques form the heart of the community. A notable highlight is Old Hastings Pottery, where all items are handcrafted on-site and the potter is always ready for a chat.
Perhaps the crowning jewel is AG Hendy, an extraordinary three-storey emporium of tastefully displayed household essentials, tucked behind a 1920s-style façade. This impressive establishment is the creation of esteemed food writer Alistair Hendy, who devoted over three years to restoring the late-Georgian building.
If shopping isn’t your thing, or you’ve simply hit your retail limit, the town offers a plethora of other activities. Hastings is home to a lively independent cinema, the Electric Palace, which can be privately hired for screenings at £260.
To mark a recent family birthday, we took over the Palace for a viewing of Stanley Kubrick’s 2021, accompanied by the Palace’s pick ‘n’ mix and bar offerings.
Head downhill towards the seafront and you’ll stumble upon Hastings Contemporary, a fantastic independent art gallery that exhibits contemporary British artists. In 2024, Quentin Blake, renowned for his illustrations in Roald Dahl books, displayed 100 portraits at this gallery.
And of course, we can’t overlook the chips. While locals and frequent visitors may have their favourite chip shop, I personally recommend the Blue Mermaid, nestled in the lively fishing village, as the top choice.
After savouring its delicious fried treats, it’s just a short walk to the West Hill Lift, a funicular railway that first opened its doors in 1891 and continues to operate with its original Victorian wooden coaches. The railway journey includes a tunnel passage, which is both thrilling and unique from a railway standpoint.
If you’re lucky enough to visit during pleasant weather, the town’s beach beckons for a swim, although it doesn’t quite compare to the magnificent Fairlight nudist beach, situated a few miles along the coast.
Most visitors choose to park at the hilltop before beginning their descent, navigating the steeper sections, stepping over logs and pausing to appreciate streams tumbling into small waterfalls beneath the thick tree canopy. The downward path is bordered by dense, lush trees, giving the area a somewhat Jurassic feel on hot summer days when the air turns hazy and fern leaves begin to glisten.
Following a mile-long amble in the relative gloom, beach visitors are abruptly welcomed by daylight as they step into Fairlight itself. Bordering the beach are 30m cliffs that shape a bay, providing a sense of seclusion from the external world and a plethora of large flat stones at their foot, ideal for spreading out your towel and relaxing.
The cliffs, a mixture of sandstone and clay, assume an almost golden tint in the evening sun, endowing Fairlight with an ambience evocative of a locale much nearer to the Mediterranean than its actual geographical location.
