Latest news with #JackintheGreen
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).
National Geographic
15-05-2025
- National Geographic
This ancient port in southern England is having a 21st-century renaissance
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. Photograph by Alamy; David Ross What's the best way to explore? 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. Bayte restaurant offers a seasonal menu of fish and pasta dishes. Photograph by Steven Painter The Looking Glass Lodge in Fairlight is sleek, contemporary and set in a patch of ancient woodland in the High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Photograph by the Looking Glass Lodge Where's good for the catch of the day? 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. Where are the best places to stay? 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
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
What's on in Sussex this May Bank Holiday weekend?
Some of the biggest events on the Sussex social calendar are happening this bank holiday weekend, which has been dubbed Marvellous "something for everybody", people across the county will be able to enjoy theatre, comedy, cabaret, exhibitions, family shows, spoken word and circus, among other popular Brighton Fringe festival begins on Friday, celebrating its 20th year with "a feast of good taste", while Brighton Festival kicks off on Saturday with the annual parade of children through the crowds of visitors are expected to bring a welcome boost to trade for many businesses. Some of the highlights include Magnificent Motors in Eastbourne on Saturday and Sunday and celebratory Jack in the Green parade in Hastings on Martin, head of events and seafront at Eastbourne Borough Council, told Radio Sussex: "We have Magnificent Motors this weekend, which is taking place on the Western Lawns which is just opposite the Grand Hotel. "We have over 600 vintage cars, everything from 1900, very early vehicles, to modern day electrics."He added there will also be a funfair, lots of retailers and a bar on site, as well as a stage for presentations and free event will be an "excellent fun day out for all the family", Mr Martin said. In Hastings, Keith Leech, founder of the annual Jack in the Green event, said: "We've got a lot coming up this weekend, it's really really exciting."We've discovered that there's a sort of Jack in the Green-type thing that used to happen in Jamaica and the local Afro-Caribbean community have been working on it and they're doing a talk this evening, so that's going to be really exciting."Then we've got a folk session playing music, singing songs in the East Hastings Angling Association."Then over the weekend we've got Morris dancing across the streets of Hastings, all day long, particularly around the Old Town area, every single day, culminating with the procession with the Jack in the Green on Monday." In Brighton and Hove, Amy Keogh, managing director of the Brighton Fringe Festival, said there were more than 800 events planned for this year."People have the freedom to put a show on, do a performance... and so you get the chance to see some brilliant stuff, some crazy stuff," she told Radio Sussex."We cross so many genres, we go through theatre, music, circus, comedy, family shows, dance, exhibitions. We've got new venues which are bringing new shows."With forecasters predicting the sunshine and high temperatures will stick around, visitors and residents will be able to enjoy a splash to cool paddling pools - at Saunders Park, Hove Lagoon and The Level - are opening in Brighton and Hove from Saturday until 14 the King's Road paddling pool is planned to be re-opened in the summer, the council Alan Robins, cabinet member for sports and recreation at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: "We know how important this paddling pool is to the local community. "Now we are certain the roadworks which would have impacted the site will take place later in the year we have made the decision to re-open this pool for the summer."We are currently sourcing quotes to bring the pool up to a suitable standard but are determined to have it open and being enjoyed by families as soon as possible."
