Latest news with #HastingsContemporary
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
How to spend a weekend in Hastings, East Sussex
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). 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. 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. One of Hastings' biggest attractions is the lightbulb-garlanded Old Town, with its timber-framed pubs and antiques shops. Squeeze into Roberts Rummage to browse ceramics and the treasures of the £1 box before strolling down to The Stade. Hastings is proudly home to one of Britain's oldest fishing fleets, and you can still catch colourful wooden boats being hauled onto this stretch of shingle come late afternoon. Just behind are the 'net shops' — tall black timber huts used for fishing net storage since the 1830s, some of which are so unique in design they've been granted Grade II-listed status. From here, it's mere paces to the rotating exhibitions at Hastings Contemporary gallery. Make time for a session at Samphire Sauna on Hastings Pier — it has great sunset views and direct access to the beach below for a dip. If you're keen to venture further, windswept Pett Level beach is six miles away and ideal for a low-tide dog walk or rockpool splash. Those with time to spare can walk there from the Old Town, following rolling coastal paths. The surrounding hills are dotted with vineyards — Tillingham is the best known, but a tour with Vine & Country will take you to local favourites such as Charles Palmer and Oastbrook, where you'll sit down for guided tastings among the vines. 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. The Old Rectory is a 14th-century property turned boutique B&B, close to the Old Town. It has its own spa, while the rooms are decorated with French-chic furniture and chandeliers. One of Hastings' latest additions is the Doghouse Inn: rooms above the Seadog Inn, right by the station. The pub is hugely popular thanks to its Irish music nights, and the rooms — all seaweed-green walls and fringed lamps — are proving to be the same. If you don't mind self-catering and the 10-minute taxi ride, try the Looking Glass Lodge in Fairlight. Sleek and contemporary, the glass-fronted cabin is set in a patch of ancient woodland in the High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Exhibition spotlight's Hastings fishing community
An exhibition focusing on one of Europe's oldest fishing communities is set to open in an East Sussex seaside town. Artist Mary Hooper is creating an oral history archive by means of an immersive sound installation, The Sun Feeds the Wind, which launches at Hastings Contemporary on Saturday for six project is part of a season of events that celebrate the "unique knowledge, skills and practices of the Hastings fishing fleet".Kathleen Soriano, gallery interim director, said the exhibition "allows us to find new creative ways to celebrate and share the rich industrial and cultural heritage of our town". The exhibition is part of a year-long project to create an online archive of oral histories, an illustrated map of the historic Stade area, and a programme of community events and engagement scheme has received a grant of almost £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Joy, chairperson of Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society, said: "Inshore fishing faces immediate and existential threats, but as fishermen we are eternally optimistic for a brighter future." The Sun Feeds the Wind appears alongside Undersea which brings together paintings, prints, drawings and objects spanning four centuries and from around the world.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Projects aim to celebrate working class histories
Four new projects across Sussex and Kent that aim to celebrate working class histories are to be funded by Historic England. The projects in Margate, Sheerness, Shoreham and Hastings will benefit as part of the public body's Everyday Heritage Grants programme. They will create a new ceremonial tradition for Sheerness, consider the local impact of Shoreham Harbour, look at the traditions of the Hastings fishing fleet and research the story of a school for deaf children in Margate. Duncan Wilson, Historic England's chief executive, said: "These projects will shine a light on the stories of local, working class people and their extraordinary contributions to our shared history." Historic England is funding 30 new community-led projects throughout the country, which will share almost £500,000. Margate's Deaf Voices will receive £24,300 so a group of people with hearing impairments can explore the history of the local Royal School for Deaf Children. They plan to produce a documentary film and premiere it at the Margate Film Festival in November. New Rituals in Sheerness will also get £16,750 to create a new ceremonial tradition in the town ahead of a public performance in August. Historic England said: "New Rituals seeks to rediscover and celebrate Sheppey's unique community identity and establish a new ceremonial tradition that can be passed on to future generations." Port Stories in Shoreham will receive £19,200 so residents can research the local port and learn new digital skills to co-create a series of interactive walks combining audio trails, augmented reality and video. These will be launched in 2026 at Eastbrook Manor Community Centre and at locations within the port itself. Anchor Point in Hastings will also benefit from £18,500. The collaboration between Hastings Fisherman's Protection Society and Hastings Contemporary will celebrate the cultural heritage of the local fishing fleet. Initial ideas for activities include net-making and fish filleting workshops, flag-making and fish printing family days, plus the chance to engage with an oral history archive project. Leah Cross, from Hastings Contemporary, said: "This is important to our community because cultural traditions, practices and sounds which are so integral to the town are at risk of being lost." Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. AI could stop vandalism of historic sites Historic landmark opens for first time in a decade Aerial imagery maps historic sites of South Downs Historic England Hastings Contemporary Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society Eastbrook Manor Community Centre
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
South East projects aim to celebrate working class histories
Four new projects across Sussex and Kent that aim to celebrate working class histories are to be funded by Historic projects in Margate, Sheerness, Shoreham and Hastings will benefit as part of the public body's Everyday Heritage Grants will create a new ceremonial tradition for Sheerness, consider the local impact of Shoreham Harbour, look at the traditions of the Hastings fishing fleet and research the story of a school for deaf children in Wilson, Historic England's chief executive, said: "These projects will shine a light on the stories of local, working class people and their extraordinary contributions to our shared history." Historic England is funding 30 new community-led projects throughout the country, which will share almost £500, Deaf Voices will receive £24,300 so a group of people with hearing impairments can explore the history of the local Royal School for Deaf plan to produce a documentary film and premiere it at the Margate Film Festival in Rituals in Sheerness will also get £16,750 to create a new ceremonial tradition in the town ahead of a public performance in August. Historic England said: "New Rituals seeks to rediscover and celebrate Sheppey's unique community identity and establish a new ceremonial tradition that can be passed on to future generations."Port Stories in Shoreham will receive £19,200 so residents can research the local port and learn new digital skills to co-create a series of interactive walks combining audio trails, augmented reality and will be launched in 2026 at Eastbrook Manor Community Centre and at locations within the port Point in Hastings will also benefit from £18,500. 'Integral to the town' The collaboration between Hastings Fisherman's Protection Society and Hastings Contemporary will celebrate the cultural heritage of the local fishing ideas for activities include net-making and fish filleting workshops, flag-making and fish printing family days, plus the chance to engage with an oral history archive Cross, from Hastings Contemporary, said: "This is important to our community because cultural traditions, practices and sounds which are so integral to the town are at risk of being lost."
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hastings: Fishing community set for living history project
One of Europe's oldest fishing communities is to be the focus of an exhibition and cultural "living histories" of the fishing community of Hastings, East Sussex, at the town's Hastings Contemporary gallery are being collected to display. The project is part of a season of events that celebrate the "unique knowledge, skills and practices of the Hastings fishing fleet".A gallery spokesperson said it will "preserve an intangible cultural heritage for future generations". The exhibition is part of a year-long project to create an online archive of oral histories, an illustrated map of the historic Stade area, and a programme of community events and engagement scheme has received a grant of almost £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Artist Mary Hooper is creating an oral history archive by means of an immersive sound installation, The Sun Feeds the Wind, which will be at the gallery from 29 March for six months. The Hastings fishing fleet consists of about 25 boats. It is one of the oldest remaining beach-launched fishing fleets in Joy, chairperson of Hastings Fishermen's Protection Society, said: "As custodians of the sea, we connect our town to its history, with traditions which pre-date 1066."And to its future - offering answers to the challenges facing our oceans and coastal communities. "We are excited to share our stories and preserve them for future generations."Kathleen Soriano, interim director at Hastings Contemporary, said, "The project will allow us to find new creative ways to celebrate and share the rich industrial and cultural heritage of our town, showcasing cultural traditions, practices and sounds which are at risk of being lost."
