Jon’s guidebook to Hastings and St Leonards
City/town information
Hastings and St Leonards are packed with interesting things to do, from walking, sea-swimming, and three kinds of crazy golf, to art galleries, antiques, and art cinemas.
There’s a very wide choice of places to eat and drink, too.
Here (in the guidebook) are a few of my favourite places – there are plenty more, and new initiatives and festivals are popping up all the time, so I also recommend, while you’re in Hastings, keeping your ears and eyes open and following your nose…
There are a few general links in these pages, which are well worth exploring, too, so you can plan your holiday in advance, or plan each day as you go along.
Have a wonderful trip!
Best wishes,
Jon
183 locals recommend
Hastings
Hastings and St Leonards are packed with interesting things to do, from walking, sea-swimming, and three kinds of crazy golf, to art galleries, antiques, and art cinemas.
There’s a very wide choice of places to eat and drink, too.
Here (in the guidebook) are a few of my favourite places – there are plenty more, and new initiatives and festivals are popping up all the time, so I also recommend, while you’re in Hastings, keeping your ears and eyes open and following your nose…
There are a few general links in these pages, which are well worth exploring, too, so you can plan your holiday in advance, or plan each day as you go along.
Have a wonderful trip!
Best wishes,
Jon
Food scene
St Clements – a small, independent and highly acclaimed seafood restaurant, serving locally caught fish. Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner and Wednesday to Sunday for lunch.
https://www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk/
21 locals recommend
Rock a Nore Kitchen
23 Rock-a-Nore RdSt Clements – a small, independent and highly acclaimed seafood restaurant, serving locally caught fish. Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner and Wednesday to Sunday for lunch.
https://www.stclementsrestaurant.co.uk/
St Clements has a connecting door to the Horse & Groom, St Leonards oldest pub, which was built and first opened in 1829 by glazier Stephen Millsted for the benefit of the workforce busy constructing the new town of St Leonards on Sea. Great for a pre-dinner aperitif!
27 locals recommend
The Horse & Groom
4 MercatoriaSt Clements has a connecting door to the Horse & Groom, St Leonards oldest pub, which was built and first opened in 1829 by glazier Stephen Millsted for the benefit of the workforce busy constructing the new town of St Leonards on Sea. Great for a pre-dinner aperitif!
The Wild Mushroom. Excellent for a special occasion (17 minutes drive from The Croft)
https://www.webbesrestaurants.co.uk/section.php/2/1/wild_mushroom_restaurant
Advisable to book both ahead.
23 locals recommend
Wild Mushroom Restaurant
Westfield LaneThe Wild Mushroom. Excellent for a special occasion (17 minutes drive from The Croft)
https://www.webbesrestaurants.co.uk/section.php/2/1/wild_mushroom_restaurant
Advisable to book both ahead.
Maggie’s is an eccentric and very individual fish and chips restaurant with views out
to sea (booking ahead essential). It is constructed in the style of the famous net huts you’ll see around it. They now also have a boat they serve from (weekends only) if the weather is fine.
https://maggiesfishandchips.co.uk/home
48 locals recommend
Maggie's Fish & Chips
8-9 Rock-a-Nore RdMaggie’s is an eccentric and very individual fish and chips restaurant with views out
to sea (booking ahead essential). It is constructed in the style of the famous net huts you’ll see around it. They now also have a boat they serve from (weekends only) if the weather is fine.
https://maggiesfishandchips.co.uk/home
For traditional, takeaway fish and chips, the Blue Dolphin, at the junction of the High Street and George Street takes some beating – it’s the one I always use.
6 locals recommend
Blue Dolphin Fish Bar
61A High StFor traditional, takeaway fish and chips, the Blue Dolphin, at the junction of the High Street and George Street takes some beating – it’s the one I always use.
Old Town Fryer
1 E Beach Sthttps://www.just-eat.co.uk/restaurants-old-town-fryer-hastings/menu
If you want to dine in, I recommend the light and spacious Master Fish Bar (great for takeaway, too):
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186274-d12357199-Reviews-The_Master_Fish_Bar-Hastings_East_Sussex_England.html
The Master Fish Bar
1 E ParadeIf you want to dine in, I recommend the light and spacious Master Fish Bar (great for takeaway, too):
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186274-d12357199-Reviews-The_Master_Fish_Bar-Hastings_East_Sussex_England.html
Bay Spice – traditional Indian restaurant/takeaway + delivery. Lots of great reviews on TripAdvisor.
https://www.bayspice.co.uk/
9 locals recommend
Bay Spice
Eversfield PlaceBay Spice – traditional Indian restaurant/takeaway + delivery. Lots of great reviews on TripAdvisor.
https://www.bayspice.co.uk/
Ocean Spice
43 White Rockhttps://www.oceanspicehastings.co.uk/
In St Leonards is the Bella Vista Italian restaurant which is very good, with occasional entertainments such as opera singers and murder nights!
https://www.labellavista.co.uk/
68 locals recommend
La Bella Vista
8 Grand ParadeIn St Leonards is the Bella Vista Italian restaurant which is very good, with occasional entertainments such as opera singers and murder nights!
https://www.labellavista.co.uk/
Goat Ledge on the sea front on the way up to St Leonards is a fun and colourful arrangement of shacks and outdoor tables and deckchairs on the beach, which offers tasty snacks and small meals - perfect for lunch on a sunny (or at least dry) day!
https://www.goatledge.com/
101 locals recommend
Goat Ledge
Warrior SquareGoat Ledge on the sea front on the way up to St Leonards is a fun and colourful arrangement of shacks and outdoor tables and deckchairs on the beach, which offers tasty snacks and small meals - perfect for lunch on a sunny (or at least dry) day!
https://www.goatledge.com/
Pubs
There are some great pubs in and around Hastings, many of which offer food.
The Crown on the corner of All Saints Street and Crown Lane. Modern British food served in a friendly informal environment using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. A few outdoor tables.
https://www.thecrownhastings.co.uk/
100 locals recommend
The Crown
Ashford RoadThere are some great pubs in and around Hastings, many of which offer food.
The Crown on the corner of All Saints Street and Crown Lane. Modern British food served in a friendly informal environment using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. A few outdoor tables.
https://www.thecrownhastings.co.uk/
The Royal Standard Pub on East Beach Street (outdoor pizza oven, delicious pizzas, big garden)
https://www.royalstandardhastings.co.uk/
10 locals recommend
Royal Standard
East Beach StreetThe Royal Standard Pub on East Beach Street (outdoor pizza oven, delicious pizzas, big garden)
https://www.royalstandardhastings.co.uk/
The FILO (First In, Last Out), a real one-off, with home brewed beer and home cooked food, and a very friendly welcome for the family dog:
http://www.thefilo.co.uk/
The FILO Brewing Company Ltd.
Old London RoadThe FILO (First In, Last Out), a real one-off, with home brewed beer and home cooked food, and a very friendly welcome for the family dog:
http://www.thefilo.co.uk/
And outside Hastings is The Queens Head in Icklesham, midway between Hastings and Rye. One of the best pubs in the UK. Friendly service, a very extensive menu, gardens with beautiful views in summer, and roaring fires in winter.
http://www.queenshead.com/
22 locals recommend
The Queens Head
Parsonage LaneAnd outside Hastings is The Queens Head in Icklesham, midway between Hastings and Rye. One of the best pubs in the UK. Friendly service, a very extensive menu, gardens with beautiful views in summer, and roaring fires in winter.
http://www.queenshead.com/
Art
https://www.hastingscontemporary.org/
A small jewel of a permanent collection plus regularly changing exhibitions.The café here is lovely, with a sunny balcony looking straight out to sea. Light dishes. Ideal for breakfast, coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. You need to buy a ticket for the gallery to use the café.
157 locals recommend
Hastings Contemporary
Rock-a-Nore Roadhttps://www.hastingscontemporary.org/
A small jewel of a permanent collection plus regularly changing exhibitions.The café here is lovely, with a sunny balcony looking straight out to sea. Light dishes. Ideal for breakfast, coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. You need to buy a ticket for the gallery to use the café.
Cinema
The Electric Palace
This tiny arts cinema in Hastings High Street is just a couple of minutes’ walk from
the house.
http://www.electricpalacecinema.com/index.php
38 locals recommend
Electric Palace Cinema, Hastings
39A High StThe Electric Palace
This tiny arts cinema in Hastings High Street is just a couple of minutes’ walk from
the house.
http://www.electricpalacecinema.com/index.php
The Kino-Teatr
Another independent cinema, in nearby St Leonards – just a walk along the sea-front. They screen films and host other arts events.
http://kino-teatr.co.uk/
90 locals recommend
Kino-Teatr
43-49 Norman RdThe Kino-Teatr
Another independent cinema, in nearby St Leonards – just a walk along the sea-front. They screen films and host other arts events.
http://kino-teatr.co.uk/
Theatre
The White Rock Theatre
Local theatre offering a wide variety of touring shows, comedy and concerts:
https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/Online/
36 locals recommend
White Rock Theatre
White RockThe White Rock Theatre
Local theatre offering a wide variety of touring shows, comedy and concerts:
https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/Online/
The Pier
Hastings Pier Shop
1-10 White RockThe Pier
https://www.facebook.com/hastingspierofficial/