Victorian seaside town named WORST for a UK break is turning its fortunes around in '21st-century renaissance'

The Sun

31-07-2025

A VICTORIAN seaside town once described as the worst for a UK short break is undergoing a "21st-century renaissance".
In a Which? survey of more than 3,500 people, the South East coastal resort ranked last in a list of the "best small UK cities for a short break".
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But a recent article in National Geographic praised Hastings for turning round its fortunes – particularly in the past decade.
It stated: "Mention Hastings and people still refer to the battle of 1066, which is a shame given the town has changed so much — since the 11th century, certainly, but over the past decade, too.
"Like many British seaside resorts, Hastings and its neighbour, St Leonards-on-Sea, had their heyday in the Victorian era before falling into a period of decline.
"Their revivals in recent years have been huge and heartening. These are places packed with independent shops, restaurants, pubs and boutique hotels, so many that a week-long visit would hardly even scratch the surface."
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It added: "Hastings is popular in the spring and summer, when the sunlit sea is turquoise, the seafront rides are in full swing and the entire town heads out for Jack in the Green — a day of folk dancing, parades and merriment held on May Day.
"But in the winter, too, it takes on an all-new Zen, when pubs feel even cosier and the sunsets even more sublime."
National Geographic also suggests making time for a session at the Samphire Sauna on Hastings Pier for "great sunset views and direct access to the beach below for a dip."
Here is why you should visit this underrated seaside town voted 'worst for a weekend stay'
For those willing to venture further, the magazine recommends windswept Pett Level beach, which is six miles away and "ideal for a low-tide dog walk or rockpool splash."
It added the surrounding hills, dotted with vineyards like Tillingham, Charles Palmer, and Oastbrook, are also worth exploring.
The recommendation comes just three years after Hastings was voted worst in the UK for a short break.
The ranking was based on scores taken from feedback from 3,500 people for each location based on a number of categories.
This included food and drink, accommodation, and cultural sights.
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These were then collated to provide an overall average score - which for Hastings came in at just 57 per cent.
Hastings received a "food and drink" score of two out of five, an 'accommodation' score of three out of five, and a 'cultural sights' score of three out of five.
The town was also rated two for "ease of getting around", two for "value for money", and three for "lack of crowds".
Where to eat and drink in Hastings
While the original Which? report was critical of the food and drink on offer in Hastings and nearby St Leonard's, the National Geographic heaped praise on the pubs and restaurants in the area, stating they remain one of the main reasons to visit the towns.
It said: "The food scene here extends to some excellent options in St Leonards, so leave time for both towns.
"In Hastings, you can grab fresh seafood by the fishing huts on The Stade. For a sit-down meal, try the fish and chips at Maggie's, a long-standing cafe with spindle-back chairs and swooping seagull views.
"The Crown pub is the spot for a locally brewed pint, while further along the seafront, in St Leonards, you'll find Half Man Half Burger.
"The pioneers behind the cool joint took a punt settling in this once rundown town in 2015, but dozens of restaurants have followed.
"Bayte is a recent arrival, with velvet sofas and a seasonal menu of fish and pasta dishes. For breakfast? It'd have to be Sleeper Bagel — crammed with everything from salt beef to salmon."