Hotels In Hastings

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  Swan House

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  Rutland Guest House

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  The Bannatyne Spa Hotel

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  Northrise Lodge

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  Tower House 1066

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  Premier Inn Hastings

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  Alexanders

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  Zanzibar International Hotel

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  The Sea Spirit Guest House

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  The Lansdowne

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With its name synonymous with one of the most famous battles in English history, people think they know Hastings even before they have been there. But there is more to discover in this coastal town than you first think and staying in one of the many hotels in Hastings will give you the chance to find out more.

Even before that 1066 fight, which actually took place six miles away in the town of Battle, Hastings was the principal town of a small Saxon province that straddled the counties of Sussex and Kent. During the reign of Edward the Confessor, who was king before his brother-in-law, Harold, the town was well known for its ships and sailors. This is a legacy that has lasted up until today as the sea is still an integral part of the town's charm and livelihood.

After the Norman Conquest when William the Conqueror triumphed changing the face of England forever, Hastings became a leading Cinque Port with the job of providing ships for naval defence that came with royal privileges. It remained so until Elizabethan times when the harbour began to silt up, but the fishing industry that was so strong back then has managed to survive.

A great sight to be had is to see the fishing boats being hauled up onto the shingle beach by a winch. Nearby are the iconic 17th century tall wooden huts, known as 'deezes' or 'net shops', used for drying nets and storing fishing tackle.

The Shipwreck Heritage Museum is devoted to the history of wrecked ships and provides a fascinating insight into a variety of doomed vessels, including a medieval barge that sunk on the River Thames and a warship named 'Anne' which was beached near Hastings in 1690. There is also a section dedicated to modern methods of helping to eliminate the possibility of shipwrecks by the use of radar and satellite navigation.

You won't need any radar to find a warm welcome at one of the many hotels in Hastings. From boutique chic to cosy guest houses, the town has a plethora of accommodation to suit your every need.

Look forward to first class service in hotels in Hastings, spacious rooms that have been designed individually, a friendly reception area and sea views that change every time you look, from whipped up windy waves to calm gentle lapping on a balmy summers day. No matter which of the hotels in Hastings that you choose, you can be certain of a warm smile and assured comfort.

One of the most famous landmarks in Hastings is the castle. Built by the victorious William soon after the Battle of Hastings, it was the first stone castle to be constructed by the Normans in England. The massive structure was built on the high ground of West Hill but is now in ruins.

All you can see is the original motte and parts of the curtain wall. But do not despair. Alongside is a permanent exhibition of its story, housed in a medieval tent. The display transports the visitor back to October 1066 through clever use of audio-visual techniques.

Also on West Hill is a system of elaborate underground passages known as St Clement's Caves. These natural phenomena have been extended and were used as air raid shelters during World War II. They are now home to Smugglers Adventure, an exhibition that children will love as they are told stories about the illegal smuggling trade that happened in the caves during the 18th century, with the use of over 70 life size models. The caves have even been visited by royalty – the Prince and Princess of Wales had a tour there in 1864.

Should you visit the town at the end of April, make sure you stay for a very unique experience – the Jack in the Green festival which takes place over the May Day bank holiday period. In a tradition that is featured in the Bayeux Tapestry and was revived in Hastings in 1983, this pagan celebration involves a lot of dressing up, drumming, Morris Dancers and 'bogies' with green faces. It is where the tradition of dancing around the maypole originated from.

For a more genteel experience, try the Museum of Local History, where the name really speaks for itself but it takes you right back to the Stone Age, telling the history of the town in all its richness.

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