At the last minute, we decided to take a UK summer holiday, deciding on Hastings for no other reason that it is on the coast and we haven’t been there for about 20 years !
We went to Cottages4you.co.uk and found a nice looking place at Pelham Crescent
Saturday 15th August
Left at 12:45 and arrived around 3:15pm so not too bad traffic M3 was the main trouble spot ! Flat is on the 4th floor, up steep windy staircase… need a rest by the time you get to the top ! Flat is small but functional. Bedroom is at the back and is quiet as it looks out onto a cliff face, the living room on the front overlooking the sea so can spy on activity on the sea front :-) Shower room is a bit small and a bit smelly !
Walked out to find the supermarket to get our supplied but ended up wandering aimlessly until we found the tourist information. Once we had our supplies, went for a walk around the old town, where there seemed to be millions of Fish & Chip shops, so inevitably the smell got to us and we had to have a fish and chip supper. After that we found a pub in which to steel ourselves for the long trek up the stairs to the flat.
Sunday
Laid on beach as was bright, but is very windy. Sun was out then got cloudy, so at 11’sis went to find a coffee shop (there are loads around :-) ) Came across the Station and theatre so picked up some brochures then went back to beach as Sun is out again now….. just got to think about where to go for Lunch now….. Ended up having a Sunday lunchtime Carvery at the Royal Albion pub, as amazingly although there were lots of places doing Sunday Roast, none seemed to do Chicken (which is what we fancied) After lunch had another lay on the beach, but by now is VERY windy, so after an Ice Cream went back to the flat for a rest from the wind and a nice cup of tea.
In the evening, just went for a long walk round town and found Alexandra Park, which was very pleasant, then to the pub for some refreshment
Monday
Not sure if it is going to be Sunny or Cloudy, so prepared ourselves for a Walking Day and planned route through Hastings Country Park We went from one side to the other along the Coast, which had spectacular views, but hard work up and down the hills… was very sunny and hot ! We came out in Fairlight Cove so found a pub called “The Cove” for a well earned rest and drink. We then came out along a road and hooked back up into the Country Park and got back to Hasting about 4:15pm covering appx 10 miles in total. Needed and Ice Cream and rest on the beach to recover. Although no clouds, is VERY windy so only stayed half hour or so, time enough for a quick paddle and a rest
As feeling a bit worn out, only managed to struggle down the stairs to the Italian Restaurant next door to the flat, but was very nice meal
Tuesday
No wind today, so declared it to be a “Beach Day” especially after our previous days excursions.
Did get a bit windy, but hired a couple of deck chairs and wind break for the day and was perfect. The clouds cleared and was glorious day (out of the wind) Even got too hot, so had several dips in the sea to cool off
After lunch it was back to the beak, with our relaxation only interrupted by the need for Ice Cream
For the evening we had a brief walk round the Old Town and ended up at a Pub called “Ye Olde Pump House” which was very Olde Worlde but did decent food, albeit with slow service
Wednesday
Today is our “History and Culture” day. It’s nice and Sunny with no wind, so going to be a scorcher. Started out at 10am for Hastings Castle then time for 11ises at the West Cliff Case. Walked through to the new town to go to the main Museum after which had a sit in a park at the top of the hill for our lunch break. Our punishing schedule then took our from 2pm until about 5pm to see a selection of small Galleries and museums, but some were not open on Wednesdays and ran out of time to see others, so not entirely successful but certainly got in a lot of culture and history in the course of our day ! Ended up at the Fisherman's Museum on the beach front after which we had to rest on the beach. Did take some photos whilst resting so it counted as “culture” :-)
After our mandatory cup of tea at the flat, went out for the evening meal to what was meant to be the oldest pub in Hastings in the new part of town (seemed a bit odd to me but thought it worth a go!) Unfortunately they stopped doing food at 3pm and didn’t look all that historic, so ended up in the Weatherspoons pub opposite
Thursday
Designated a “Shopping Day” (not sure who came up with that idea!) was bright and Sunny, but very windy again
Hit the pavements around 9:50am (someone woke up early due to the excitement I think) and went to the new part of town first. Stopped for lunch around 1pm then hit the Old Town, then back to the new town again as is late night shopping on a Thursday !
Despite some temptations for both of us, we ended up only spending about £25 on the whole day… of which more than half went on food and Ice Creams !
We didn’t fancy going far for our evening meal, so went to the Old Town to “Lathams Brasserie” which was very nice and very filling !
Friday
Woke up to a grey and heavy rainy day ! Today is our “Rest Day” but doesn’t look like we’re doing much resting on the beach, so ended up going back the Culture we previously missed. Went to the Shipwreck Museum, then the Aquarium, then a walk up the hill to the Caves…. after which was time for our lunch so decided to have Fish & Chips again
Feeling very full, we then walked round the shops in the new town, then up to St Leonard's. Was a nice walk, but as a destination was quite disappointing, especially as it’s very windy along the sea front
After couple of hours walking, we are ready for our mid afternoon coffee and cake (or two cakes in my case!)
We finish off with another walk down the beach and take in the Lifeboat station (and shop!) All in all an exhausting “Rest Day” !
We have also decided to leave Hasting this evening rather than early tomorrow, so pack up and leave by 6pm, arriving home around 8:30pm having taken the scenic route (A25 rather than M25)
Overall, we had a lovely restful holiday, where the most we really had to think of was where our next food or drink was coming from :-)
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