A Visit To HASTINGS - I Was SHOCKED!

It is the return of the 4K walking tours of British seaside destinations as this week I venture to the beautiful town of Hastings in East Sussex. But is it worth a visit in the Autumn?
Most famous for the Battle of Hastings in 1066, this place really is swimming in history, however today I’m looking for answers as to why it’s such a popular seaside resort - I explore the dramatic cliffs, the landmark ruins of Hastings Castle, the quirky backstreets, the plethora of museums and galleries, the Old Town (which is rich with coffee shops, antiques and vintage outlets), the seafront amusement park and attractions, the sandy beaches, the high street and finally the famous pier. I really was shocked at just how much there is to see and do. So come along and walk with me as we explore another coastal tourist destination!
My name is Jack and I’m exploring the UK, making travel vlogs as I go. I’d be so grateful for your support, so please do like the video, leave a comment and subscribe to my channel here - youtube.com/@j...
#travelvlog #walkingtour #battleofhastings #1066country #seaside #touristdestinations #virtualwalk

[@jackryanmiller]

Guys while you’re here, please do give the subscribe button above a hit! Thanks very much

[@davidcooke6803]

@@jackryanmiller lovely part of the world! Be sure to visit the Masonic Hall and Maze Hill Gardens. 😎

[@adelehilden4400]

Hastings is the home of television & the old Queens Arcade in the shopping centre area is the birth place

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks for your comment 😁

[@stud105]

Hastings is a drinking town with a fishing problem.

[@jackryanmiller]

😂😂

[@gregorypeck876]

Best way to describe our town

[@simonbaldwin69]

Don't forget the smack heads!

[@DJ_Skie]

@@simonbaldwin69 that could be said for most towns across the UK 👍🏼

[@JudeMontague]

Love Hastings so glad you appreciated it and fun to join you on your walk

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks so much for watching Jude

[@Nickpaintbrush]

Good video, it doesnt seem to have changed much since I was last there about 16 years ago, I lived in Ore village for about 6 months, I liked it there!

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much, I can imagine it’s the sort of place that doesn’t ever change (in a good way!)

[@chez9831]

Thank you for bringing me back to this wonderful place I used to visit well over 20 years ago! It looks like Hastings hasn’t changed much - maybe a bit more there now? I used to stay in an a beautiful B and B in old town called The Swan Hotel (since closed) and I would always go up on the hill to see the castle and for fun go into the caves to enjoy the smugglers adventure!🙂

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah thank you very much and that’s exactly why I make these videos for people like yourself who want to relive memories of a place they used to visit 😄

[@chez9831]

@@jackryanmiller Thank you 🥰In fact it got me thinking, after watching your video, I contacted my friends who live nearby and am in the process of arranging a meet up in Hastings with these friends and my family! I can’t wait to go back! 😀

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

Hastings is lovely ❤

[@jackryanmiller]

It really is!

[@lorddougal07]

Hastings has it all... from the good to the bad. Plus surrounding area of beauty.

[@jackryanmiller]

Well said

[@bobhadland2554]

You didn't mention the fishing boats, or that Hastings holds the world record for the most amount of pirates gathered in one place.Also, the crazy golf world championships are held in Hastings. And the television was invented in Hastings.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much for the info Bob

[@bobhadland2554]

@@jackryanmiller most welcome

[@barbaragillett9904]

Thank you Jack another great place to visit can’t wait to have fresh fish and chips 👏👏👏👏🙏

[@jackryanmiller]

Thank you Barbara! I could do with some fish and chips now 🤪

[@joemorris5288]

If you had the time you should visit Alexander Park in Hastings

[@jackryanmiller]

I’ve heard good things, definitely next time

[@naturalroyalflush]

Just watched your Broadstair’s video and now here you are traipsing around another holiday destination of ours. Saw my mother in law’s favourite pub...5:30.

[@jackryanmiller]

Love it! It sounds like you have a good taste in holiday destinations 😀

[@mattcrispin6737]

What a lovely place!! I had expected to it to look a little forlorn for some reason. A gem! Thanks for sharing.

[@jackryanmiller]

Same here! It probably helps the weather was really good on the day I filmed this despite being October 😁cheers for watching

[@juleswombat5309]

And the caves at St Leonards. Around the corner, to the West, would have been Bexhill on Sea

[@jackryanmiller]

Oh yes I’m looking forward to visiting St Leonards and Bexhill soon !

[@virgorama]

On your walk through the town centre you missed the jewel that is Wellington Square opposite Sports Direct! Great Hastings promo though.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah that’s so unfortunate but thanks for letting me know - I’ll be sure to check it out next time 😁

[@franceswright3597]

You didn't visit Wellington Square, full of history. I used t o work there, seeing the huge cliff every day beside the window.

[@jackryanmiller]

Damn I missed loads ha ha but I’m going St Leonards soon so will pop back into Hastings to check it out

[@rambobrown918]

I go regularly and stay in the White Rock Hotel by the pier. Blue Dolphin fish and chips old town 10/10

[@jackryanmiller]

Oooh sounds fantastic I’ll be sure to try that out later in the summer

[@velvetkori]

me watching this as i just got home from hastings !

[@jackryanmiller]

An excellent choice! Hope you had a good time

[@velvetkori]

@@jackryanmiller yes i did, and ive been almost 50 times now as its very close to my nan's house !

[@petergearing4796]

I have had the opportunity to witness Hastings from both sides of the spectrum. I went to Hastings college of Art and Technology as a teenager and then I spent just under a year as a Police Officer in my 30's WHAT AN EYE OPENER!!!! They used to joke in the force, one years probation in Hastings was the equivalent of two years anywhere else in the county. Lovely place to look at and wonder around, during the day, but it has its problems when the sun goes down. One reason was, Sussex is known as the forgotten county. As a result the road links into Hastings are poor. Businesses do not want to set up there. So last I knew unemployment was high. And what comes hand in hand with that? DRINK, DRUGS and Violence. It just spirals down and down into a black abyss unfortunately. Don't get me wrong there are some lovely people in Hastings, just let down by a minority.

[@jackryanmiller]

Wow thanks very much for this insight, that really is interesting and I can totally imagine it. Not sure I’d want to experience it at night 😱

[@josephwaghorne]

@@jackryanmiller What a load of nonsense. It is great at night.

[@jackryanmiller]

@@josephwaghorne ha ha ok maybe I will check it out at night 😁

[@user-qh8nh7oe6d]

Sadly it's not the only town like this .

[@soulstarreiki8889]

​@jackryanmiller it's absolutely fine at night, especially the old town, the nightlife there is wonderful in the summer. Pretty good in winter. The old towers have taken on so many festivals and events over the years, there's always something going on. Everyone loves a reason to dress up and have a beer. This year is was pirate's 'week' instead of pirate's weekend as it's so popular. We're coming to the end of a run of music events and festivals on the pier, plus the huge reggae festival on the oval. Next will be the powerful bonfire night with parade, drumming.etc.. a very big event. I was born in the old town, left at 17 and came back at 30 with my kids. Been back 25 years, I love the seafront, old town and West/East hills.. thank you so much for showing Hastings at it's best and being positive. I never understand when some people say bad stuff. I guess it depends what you focus on and what circles you move in. Hastonians in general are very welcoming and enjoy different cultures. Sadly the DFLs have pushed old town housing prices through the roof. On the other hand they take care of and restore properties back to how they should be. I'm not sure I'll stay here forever but it'll always be my home town. 4 generations now 😊

[@woogieman007]

It's a good ghost town :D, the castle a lady has been seen jumping off the hill, The Stag In is haunted, Jenny Lind is, Pump House they claim to have seen a young spirit but I have not seen it. The Bingo across the road from the golf was a snooker club, no longer there :( And John logie baird 1923 rented a workshop in the Queen's arcade in Hastings where he built - from components including an old hatbox, bicycle lamp lenses and sealing wax - the world's first working television set.

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s so cool I had no idea it was known for its ghosts too. I’m very interested in paranormal stuff so will have to come back and check out some of those places properly! Cheers 😁

[@woogieman007]

@@jackryanmiller Yes everywhere has ghost sightings but Battle Abbey where I work is more haunted than Hastings I see countless stuff there, shadow figures vanish into walls, monks who used to live at the Abbey and my boss knows of a monk who walks up and down the high street and go to the church and back over to the Abbey, in the school I've seen monks, full body appreciations, poltergeist activity, full body shadow spirits not flat, orbs list goes on but I've seen it so many times I just accept it and count myself lucky I can see and hear these things. You should get the app Haunted Maps got a green mansion logo, so simple but has locations wherever you are and you can add your own places with details if you want to just gotta log into Google if you want to do that otherwise you can use it as a guest. But I don't need maps at Battle as I see the spirits all the time even during the day. The school has lower floor visits during longer half term when the kids brake up.

[@chez9831]

you reminded me of something. When I used to stay in a B and B called The Swan Hotel (since closed down) in old town, I remember waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of several horses outside the hotel…well I look out the window…and there was nothing there…

[@woogieman007]

@@chez9831 Music has been heard from the castle also when there wasn't anyone around, if it's spiritual then it's a residual haunting which is sounds and spirits repeating themselves or with audio, it doesn't happen often as a normal haunting but really cool when it happens. Of course there were a lot of horses and carts back in the day. Don't know if you believe in this stuff but I see spirits at work I'm so used to it it's not scary but even I can't explain stuff sometimes 👻 there's a house in the old town that had connections with The Pump House I always feel cold when I walk past it then soon as I passed it back to normal temperature even on a hot day. I wouldn't be surprised if it was haunted

[@shoexprime4991]

amazing video; I went to Hastings for first time at the age of 10 and and still remember very well

[@jackryanmiller]

Hey thanks so much, I hope the video brought back some memories 😁

[@femininewaters9098]

I looooove the old town. I love the weirdness of this place. Will be there for Jack in the Green Festival.

[@jackryanmiller]

Wow I just looked up the festival that looks so cool 😁

[@femininewaters9098]

@@jackryanmiller yepp

[@SamMontgomery-d2c]

The ''great more secluded beach '' at 1.40 is our nudest beach ; )

[@jackryanmiller]

Bloody hell I didn’t know that 🤪

[@J.likes.football]

It was great seeing my home town on here loved it

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s great , thanks so much for watching

[@Crustybagel93]

I want to visit for those odds n sods! I hope that undefined can of something is still there

[@jackryanmiller]

Maintenance solution expired in 1988

[@Crustybagel93]

@@jackryanmiller of course!

[@evamariapantoja1225]

the old town has always been plenty of antiques and tattoo stores, and It is still right now

[@simonbaldwin69]

I lived in Hastings from the 80's, moved away in the early 90's and was the best move I did, made a mistake and moved back in the late 2000's (Alistair crowley curse maybe!) And realised very quickly why I hated the place and moved out. Still have family who live there though.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ha ha you never know you might end up back there again 🤪

[@nicnak4475]

Bird was a Turnstone, Jack, normally there are a few of them together.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah thanks very much!

[@evamariapantoja1225]

Few years ago, Steve Cardenas(RED RANGER from the TV show Mighty Morphing Power Rangers) with his wife went to Hastings. They visited The CRIME Museum in White Rock St before going to LONDON´s COMIC CON

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s so cool!

[@pgVeritas]

Thanks for the video. My son lives in Hastings. He rings me when he’s walking his dog along the beach. I’ve not been, but now I have a better idea of where he walks his dog, thank you.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks so much, I wouldn’t mind walking my dog along here every day 😁

[@coxson]

Sounds like Noel Fielding narrating 😅

[@jackryanmiller]

You’re the 5th person to say that now 🤪

[@mickbrilliantfootballeroft327]

Didnee find the nudist beach did you..

[@jackryanmiller]

Ha ha apparently not 🤪

[@neilsteadman8380]

Curlew.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks 🙏

[@subsea77]

What an Anchor ⚓ 😅

[@jackryanmiller]

Ha ha I hear that a lot 🤪

[@davidrodwell6509]

My all time favourite part of Hastings is the road out towards Rye, now that is a nice place, unlike Hastings. "Let's get out of here" is the best sentence he said.

[@lizbourn4192]

You really should have taken the trouble to actually know what you’re talking about before you attempt to talk about our town. This is a very poor attempt.

[@jackryanmiller]

It’s a reaction video though, where I am experiencing walking through a town for the first time and taking the viewer along with me. I never once claimed to be giving the full history of Hastings

[@lizbourn4192]

@@jackryanmiller it was a very poor effort!!!

[@nordle8325]

smooth the cuts out a bit - odd to cut from one move to another - editing is key, castle is too expensive, but maybe you should have stumped up and shown us, and not getting a clear idea of what area is linked to what so more of a sense of the geography- oh and old pump house pub is "fake old" so do some research on what you are showing

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

Hello from Suffolk. I'm Swedish and I went to Hastings with EF language schools in a one year English Academic year in 1996-1997 and I'm still living in England. Hastings will always be my 2nd home and I'm trying to go down to Hastings with my kids 13 and 20 for Bonfire night, Jack in the Green and the Pirate weekend. I love all of Hastings and St Leonard's on sea. I used to live in Bexhill with an ex bf as well in 1998

[@Darkangel-A-c8z]

*on

[@jackryanmiller]

Hey thanks so much for your comment, it’s great to hear from someone who lived there! It really is an amazing town, I hope you make it down there for Bonfire night 😁

[@toms7671]

3rd Generation Hastings here. It's always been a great place to live. Its always suffered from the classic modern day seaside down condition. Its slowly being gentrified in the st leonards end by DFLs. You'll note the general accent changes and the general attire goes to that of a prebuild persona choice brought from a personality off a shelf shop. The town centre is still suffering from everything shutting up and turning into vape and phone shops. The council removed all the benches and toilets due to drunks taking up the seating and it being a poor attempt at moving them on. The music and community is great. It's been great for years and years. Well presented video of the town.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thank you very much for sharing. It’s such a shame that town centres are dying out especially to vape shops. Good to hear from someone that lives there

[@toms7671]

@jackryanmiller The Vape / Phone repair / American sweet shop theme is an ongoing, widespread issue across the entirety of the UK. Surely worth an episode in itself?

[@user-qh8nh7oe6d]

North Norfolk coast is now very much the playing ground of the rich and wealthy.

[@celinaCarney-gz4fd]

We are from Kent but have a static caravan up on the east hill above the cliffs. There some amazing walks across towards fairlight and the old fern glens and lighthouse . Shame the east hill lift was closed. Hastings is quirky and never dull.

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s great, I am sad I didn’t visit the east hill but I will be sure to do so when I’m next there!

[@barbv]

Well done for featuring Hastings, where I was born and grew up, and which was my home for most of my life (I moved to France in 2011 and now have followed my family to Manchester). One important part that you did not visit was the Fishermen's Museum in Rock-a-Nore. My grandmother, Eliza Veness, wrote many poems about the Old Town and the fishing fleet, and was affectionately known as the "Poet Laureate of the Old Town". When I visit Hastings these days, I always go and do a selfie with my grandmother, whose photo is on the wall of the museum, as is that of her son Glencoe Veness (my dad's older brother). I never met Eliza, who died before I was born, but love this connection to her. Her poems are on sale at the museum. My son was christened in the Fishermen's Museum and is on their baptismal roll which hangs on the wall.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thank you so much for your comment, that is really interesting. I will be sure to check out the Fisherman’s museum next time so I can see your grandmother’s poems

[@PlanetaryCitizen]

I moved to Hastings (well, St Leonards on Sea) from London 25 years ago and would not want to live anywhere else now. I've seen some changes (like it has become more gentrified) but it certainly has a lot going for it. It's sad that National Express no longer run through the town. I don't drive and used to take the coach up to London at least four times a year. Now we have to go to Brighton if we want to use that service. Glad you enjoyed your visit!

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks for your comment 🙏 that is icy a shame about national express not running anymore. I plan to do a video on St Leonards in the next few months as I’ve had a few recommendations after doing this Hastings one

[@gaea101tuck2]

I moved from Canada and lived in Hastings for 3 years. I love the quirkiness of the town and the history, but the best part was the people. Everyone is so welcoming, and there is always something going on!

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s amazing, I’m so envious you lived there! Definitely somewhere I can see myself to moving to in the future

[@doctorwhonews3047]

nah you’ve gotta be joking. i live in hastings. hastings is a shithole and you know it

[@julieling1212]

The old town is amazing I live in all saints st what the posh st 5 star rating pub and restaurant every title i ser some one i all ways tell.tham the history hsd a lode of Chinese people out side tell. Thsm.whst it was we have a much better cheese garter than London

[@UpinsmokeXVI]

@ julieling1212 Do you speak English?

[@julieling1212]

​@@UpinsmokeXVIyes

[@teresahymas7019]

Love Hastings so did my parents My birthplace Unplanned 10 weeks early They were on holiday 😂

[@jackryanmiller]

Ha ha love it!

[@dereklawrence4622]

You really did not mention that Hastings has the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe. This is an important part of our town.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah I didn’t know that but thanks!

[@petersinger1460]

I used to work on a fishing boat off of Hastings beach, and yes we did have the biggest beach launched fleet in Europe. But sadly that was years ago, and now there are less than 15 working boats on our beach. It is still a great town though.

[@maryannmccabe3648]

@@petersinger1460 and you can buy fresh fish off those boats 7 days a week!!

[@travellingtom6091]

Hey Jack, it was a Turnstone. 11:11 Love the way you prefer the smaller independents to the chain stores and food outlets. Really refreshing to see. 👌

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much! I do always think if you’re only visiting for the day you should try somewhere you haven’t been before especially for coffee 😄

[@saraprva4172]

Was about to comment on which bird but someone probsbly already answered - just your comment few hours ago ! Great video, persuaded me to visit Hastings next weekend

[@jackryanmiller]

@@saraprva4172 thanks so much! I need to get back here myself 😄

[@MaseehHashimi]

Its been two months that i left Hastings for US and i am already missing it. Too much emotional connection with that city idk. You can imagine by thinking that i came to write Hastings in youtube because i miss those streets and that community. Love to Hastings all over from California❤❤

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks so much for your comment. I bet California has a completely different feel to Hastings 😯

[@coolkid360ful]

It's a town buddy 😅😂

[@MichaelOConnor-s1e]

If you really come from Hastings you would know that it's not a city

[@MaseehHashimi]

@@coolkid360ful don’t go with words go with emotions

[@MaseehHashimi]

@@MichaelOConnor-s1e you guys are taking life too seriously, what changes it brought if i use the wrong word. Take easy buddy

[@simonford5819]

Nice video, glad you enjoyed Hastings, I was actually there today making the most of the sunny weather after the persistant rain of late - nothing new to me as I live in Bexhill, but it's good to know what others think of the place. I agree, steer clear of the town centre and head to the old town (George Street) and up past the free museum to the quiet stony beach. Nice walks up East Hill which leads on to the Country Park. You should explore there next time. Subscribed, as I love walking videos!

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah thanks so much for your comment and subscribing. East hill sounds great and the Cliff lift up there certainly looked epic so that’s definitely one for next time. I’ll probably come back on a hotter day though I bet it’s rammed in the summer!

[@brigidsingleton1596]

😮 Wow... You've only been to Hastings about twice before ?! Wow !! I feel I've lived a lot of my life there (but sadly not for many years now since I became disabled) Shingle aside, I have always enjoyed Hastings. (I used to work in nearby Battle, and love it there, too.) Thank you for sharing your views / opinions of Hastings with us. It's really good to see the old place again.😊❤🖖

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah thanks so much for your comment, I really appreciate it! I can’t believe I haven’t been there more often either, but I’m aiming to visit again when it warms up again 😄

[@SailorYen89]

Hastings was my nearest town for all my life (30ish years). Moved to Scotland in 2020. Hastings isn't the best place in the world but I genuinely miss it. So much nostalgia for me!

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s amazing I’m glad this video could bring back some nostalgia for you 😁

[@Lawriemac]

7:50 for anyone wondering was a folded and packed up ferris wheel whilst its not in use! :)

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah of course, it all makes sense now! 😁

[@edyke4962]

Just scratched the surface !😸

[@jackryanmiller]

Im looking forward to going back !

[@jenniferbate9682]

I love Hastings so much. We went there every year in my childhood and have been revisiting it. xxxx❤

[@jackryanmiller]

Me too! Can’t wait to get back

[@lazer5582]

We often travel from Dover and go to Hastings for the day.I love everything about the town,sometimes stay down the road at the Haven holiday park which is a great place to go out exploring all the surrounding areas and towns.Hastings is an interesting town and the people are real friendly.I would highly recommend a trip there.

[@jackryanmiller]

Yep same here definitely one of my favourite places I went last year! Then again I do love Dover too

[@marybarratt2649]

It’s so nice to see a lovely town. Some bloggers just make too much of the places that have deteriorated and it just gets so depressing. Tfs

[@jackryanmiller]

Oh yes I agree although there are a few run down seaside towns I do like 😄

[@alunhoskins4513]

I enjoyed that. My old home town. I grew up there during the 60’s and 70’s, moved out of town early 80’s. It was a fantastic place to be in back then. Always played ‘second fiddle’ a bit to Eastbourne nearby but that also gave it a certain charm and character that the others didn’t have. The town centre was absolutely ruined when they took away two significant features. The ‘Memorial’ clock tower and the Central Cricket ground; the awful Priory shopping centre was built on that. The heart of the town was ripped out so to speak. Having said that…despite Hastings getting a lot of poor publicity it still has a decent character hiding in plain sight. I have friends there still, both in the Old town and the new. What it needs and has never had is some decent town planning. There’s a certain magic about the place. Not to mention the ‘longest’ park in the country I think…well, it always used to be. Great video, thanks.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much for your comment. Love to hear about others memories and I would’ve loved to see it back in the 60s or 70s! I think it still does have that charm that a lot of other seasides just don’t have

[@helenamurphy8610]

Moved to Hastings from Cape Town South Africa …… been here for almost 30 years …. Just LOVE Hastings and I consider myself a local ♥️ 3:04

[@jackryanmiller]

Love it, it looks like it would be a great place to live

[@willbesoon6601]

I lived there for 18 months. Nice place, shame about the people.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ah that is a shame, I’ve heard about that from a few people 🙁

[@leehumphries7696]

I live here and a nice video of the place. Monday's a lot of shops are closed as they open the weekends. It's a fishing town with a music problem. If you love music there's something for everyone and can often be too much on at the weekend so folk tend to drift from place to place in order to see things. There's always load of festivals most weekends of the year. Still a lot of independent shops despite the building of Priory Meadow over the old cricket ground to build a shopping centre - independent bars, book and record shops (more than Brighton now), and lots of places to eat. Some folk moan about the visible street drinkers as being anti-social but I find the blokes who constantly driving around in circles bikes and cars around Hastings all day who love to rev the hell out the engines is more the anti-social aspect here.

[@jackryanmiller]

Cheers Lee it’s good to get your opinion and thanks for the additional info. To be honest I was visible street drinkers when I was there and they seemed to be alright. I think that’s what I meant when I said there were some ‘characters’

[@wiggy1066]

to the left of roc a nor car park, the very end beach, david bowie filmed the video for major tom with steve strange and midge ure....you missed a lot of landmarks! and the plaques mounted on the railings are very telling, folk like jimi hendrix have played on the pier....

[@jackryanmiller]

No way I’ll have to check out the music video for David Bowie now 😄

[@mcahunatv3590]

Who wants to listen to product placement? Downvoted for supporting the awful Ringo app.

[@jackryanmiller]

Hilarious

[@vivienwilliams1538]

You didn't get to Alexandra Park! Some amazing old trees and lakes. It's just up from Queens Road in Hastings I'm a Londoner moved down to St Leonards many years ago. Hastings and St Leonards has everything you could want. Cafes in Bottle Alley and at Goat Ledge (St Leonards). Live music on Hastings pier in the summer. Art galleries and antique shops, And the charity shops are the best.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ooh amazing well I actually plan on doing a full video on St Leonards so I could properly visit Bottle Alley and Goat Ledge. And I’ll drop into Alexandra park on the way back 😄

[@deejohn1659]

Hastings makes a great day trip from London. I only discovered Hastings after staying with friends in nearby Battle, sight of the Battle of Hastings. I remember the old Pier before it got destroyed then rebuilt, and then turned into a minimalist artwork. Love the Old Town area and the walk up the East Hill. Although when we last did the coastal walk to Fairlight Glen we had to turn back due to signs saying 'Danger, Falling Rocks.'

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks a lot. I would’ve loved to see the old pier before it got destroyed. That reminds me I need to check out Battle soon I’ve never been

[@deejohn1659]

@@jackryanmiller 😀😀😀

[@MichaelOConnor-s1e]

You didn't have to turn bk You chose to turn bk , it's totally safe and no one has died yet but a few people started the walk too late and then the sun set and they got in trouble and got rescued by the coast guard helicopter, don't worry about the signs , just find out the time of low tide and start the walk when the tides going out and we got a rope to hold onto to get down to the beach and make sure you have a phone with a full battery or a charger Only other ones who mucked up are the ones who got to the beach and went for a walk and then got caught by the tide coming in and luckily had a mobile phone but we often have small earthquakes under the cliff and this is probably what causes the cliff to fall but they don't advertise the EQ cos they don't wanna scare people and it would also probably ruin the value of the properties on fair light glen and the caravan park

[@deejohn1659]

@@MichaelOConnor-s1e Gee, a rope down to the beach. That I could handle. But sadly not my partner. They'd run a mile at the sight of a rope to the beach. I remember when there was a dodgy set of wooden steps down to Fairlight. I guess they're gone by now. Loved those better access days when you could hit the beach in the altogether. It felt so liberating. It's like Mother Nature and her crumbling rocks is trying to keep us away. Although I did see an alternative route to Fairlight up at the East Hill. But we found that sign too late in the day.

[@thebrowns1017]

I lived in Hastings for 12 years from 1988 to 2000. In those days it was an awful place, full of care in the community patients sent there by the London Boroughs. It was rough, had a high level of crime and poor educational attainment. The town centre was over run with drunks & druggies and it was not a safe place to go out at night.

[@jackryanmiller]

I’ve heard that from a few people now, hopefully it has improved in recent years

[@jameshoyle5918]

Hasn’t changed

[@richardoffen2946]

Missed the main shopping center Priory Meadow

[@jackryanmiller]

I’m going back in a few weeks , will check it out

[@thedowagerd.2431]

My dream trip to Hastings. My grandmother was born there. Her grandfather had changed his name to John Bull when he emigrated from Germany in the 1800's. He built a beautiful home called "the Breakers" which my gran remembered visiting. It was bombed and destroyed during WWII buy which time his grandchildren were in Canada on Salvation Army Missions, although his two g-grandchildren where teens and back fighting for England. Bucket list I hope.

[@jackryanmiller]

Wow thanks so much for sharing, I certainly hope you can visit one day

[@JackieHayles]

I don't know if you have been back to the town, but St. Leonards is well worth a visit too.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks a lot, I’m planning to do a video on st Leonards next 😄

[@jenniferfarrah3134]

Hastings , an interesting place , I love it , so much goes on in Hastings . A lot of good stuff . Just needs some money to help it regenerate , as do a lot of seaside towns on the south coast . Good blog . 👍

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much Jennifer and I totally agree with you 👍

[@lynnegore831]

Hastings old town is lovely

[@jackryanmiller]

@@lynnegore831 totally agree!

[@Marvin-dg8vj]

Quirky , lots of history and quite trendy . It has been popular since the 1960s and is always worth a walk around at any time of year .The rest of Hastings has it's ups and downs .Like most seaside towns it has a tough lower end .Read Graham Greene Brighton Rock. I am not the only person who thought a few years ago wandering around parts of Hastings after the pubs shut at the weekends was not very comfortable

[@michaelmontagu3979]

Robert's Rummage is a Hastings institution. I've been going for 20 years and you never know what you will find. Well worth a visit.

[@jackryanmiller]

Yep I absolutely love shops like that

[@teresataubman2860]

I visited hastings ten yrs ago had a lovely meal in a pub steak and Guinness pie and mash best ever . Xxxx❤❤❤❤

[@jackryanmiller]

Corrr that sounds lovely !

[@ianwhitehead691]

Lived in Hastings from 1983-86, It was a great place then meeting up on the memorial and drinking at the Crypt. Revisited in 2012 but the town had kind of lost it's character and wasn't the same. Shame they pedestrianized the memorial and lost the Cricket ground.

[@jackryanmiller]

Love it, I would’ve been intrigued to see what Hastings looked like in the 80s

[@coolkid360ful]

I'm a local My favourite part is my home and just being near the sea

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s exactly why I want to move to the coast some day 😃

[@TheJohnboy123]

Bottle Alley!

[@christophermunn3819]

I live in Hastings and the Old Town is the most interesting, did you see St Saints church, with the piece of cheese house. Also St Clements church, it has a cannon bomb in it. We have lovely parks and we have St Helens Wood.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much for your comment. This was a bit of a flying visit but I’ll make a note of those places to check out next time 😁

[@colinmitchell9212]

I've always lived here, my whole life and the best part of Hastings, the A21 😂😂😂, Alexander Park.

[@jackryanmiller]

Ha ha we do love the A21 🤪

[@jillybrooke29]

Visit from Eastbourne a lot and bring grandsons for the rides in the Summer.

[@jackryanmiller]

Very nice, Eastbourne is lovely too

[@tanyamitchell2779]

Alot of focus on the old town, which always seems to happen, mostly owned by londerners now sadly, there is alot more to Hastings, alot of poverty, low wages, not alot of jobs, the parts that are doing well, are owned by gues who' mostly londerners '

[@jackryanmiller]

Yes indeed if I could’ve spent longer here and explored more I would have

[@simonballard6413]

My two favourite towns in E. Sussex. - Hastings and Eastbourne.

[@jackryanmiller]

Oh yes I do love Eastbourne too !

[@PeachyNanaUK]

My birth certificate says I was born in Hastings. I lived there for the first few months of my life. My dad was stationed there with the navy in 1952. Since then I’ve lived in Hertfordshire. My parents lived 6 doors apart from each other when they were children in Rickmansworth. I have the address my mum lived in when I was born. I’ve been there before but I really must visit Hastings again.

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s amazing thank you for sharing! You definitely must get back there!

[@gregorypeck876]

Lived here all my life, think my lot go back to 1820 something or other the blue house on the hill was a pal of mines, but they’ve down sized now, still a wonderful house behind that big wall .

[@jackryanmiller]

Amazing. I would love to live in a location like that one day 🤩

[@davidcooke6803]

The Tobacconist in George St. is the best place to visit and enjoy a cigar or pipe and some great company!

[@jackryanmiller]

That sounds fantastic

[@davidcooke6803]

@@jackryanmiller maybe he wasn’t open when you passed as it’s low season. The ‘pirate ship’ you referred to is actually a big wheel that was there last year but hasn’t been set up this year. Thanks for replying and good luck in the future.

[@jackryanmiller]

@@davidcooke6803 thanks very much David. I’ll be coming back end of this month as I’ll be doing a video on St Leonards

[@didibellini]

Hi, I used to go to Hastings for day trips in the 80s when we were staying in Sussex, and I loved the charmingly crumbling feel of the place; the Aquarium - as it was then, the tall sheds for smoking fish, the once elegant charmingly crumbling balconied houses, the shops set back into the high walled street to name but a few, but my favourite was the recreation of the inside of a ship of the 17th century, complete with figures of the crew, the chests of wine and gold coins, but most impressive of all, the canon, firing with an ear splitting boom accompanied by the replica smell of a real fired canon. It stank but I was enthralled, especially when I learned the boy firing it could have been as young as twelve. Sadly, the aquarium has been modernised, losing all its charm, the replica ship has long gone, and the seafront is now lined with ugly modern buildings. But I did notice a bit of the decaying old world charm of the streets and shops is still there.

[@jackryanmiller]

Hey thanks so much for your comment, I find that really interesting and surprising that it’s actually changed that drastically in 30 years

[@garyjackson1264]

The bird, a bit distant to be sure but think it was a Ringed Plover.

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s great, I just looked it up and I think you’re right !

[@paddyturner1568]

Unfortunately like so many others, you missed the best bits. The shop fronts hide many hidden treasures. Some shops go back into the old smugglers caves. When you go into some, they continue back and further back and you have to look up to see 100s of years of history. One shop goes back and at the back opens into another shopped area that many locals don’t know about. Sweety Todd lived up the high street. Jenny Lind famous now from the greatest showman, lived above a pub in the old town, since called the jenny Lind. It burnt down in the last century and was rebuilt. We have so so much more than you saw, please come back and I will introduce you to the real hastings

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks so much for the info Paddy

[@brggmc]

Thanks for the memories! As an Essex lad, Hastings was the place to go at weekends with my mates on our motorbikes. I’m glad the back streets haven’t changed much, with their (as you reminded me), smell of old stuff. Camping near the top of the funicular railway at Funnel’s Farm with hay to sleep on at a penny a sackful was great! Bring back the ‘60’s please….

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much and I’m glad this video could bring back some of those memories 😄

[@lisa-azrabroad4137]

I live near Hastings, famous for the biker run on Mayday, Green man festival and Pirate day because of its pirate history

[@jackryanmiller]

Oh yes I’ve heard a lot about Green man festival sounds so cool

[@johnlawrence2757]

Got a funicular: one of the few in the UK. Well worth a visit. But overrun with asylum seekers, so I hear. Day trip only advised

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks for your comment I’ll be sure to try out the funicular

[@susanmiller14]

Hastings is the best place I have ever lived. So creative, so friendly, so caring.

[@jackryanmiller]

That’s so great to hear 😄

[@Expresskitten]

One of my favourite parts of Hastings min you im a bit weird is the wonderful old fashioned underground car park but its a lovely place great vid

[@jackryanmiller]

Don’t worry I’m a bit weird too 🤪that does sound cool though, I think I missed it

[@michaelburgess7242]

Thanks Jack. Wasn’t planning to visit Hastings on my trip from Aus through that part of England. But now will. As someone who just likes to wander around, and take in the sights, it was very instructive. Keep going and best wishes.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks so much for your comment Michael, I’m glad the video was helpful and hope you have a great trip to England!

[@drew699]

You must go to Rye.

[@michaelburgess7242]

@@drew699 Thanks planning to.

[@karireinikainen2876]

Thank you for your video! Maybe you should drop in at St Leonards at some point, just west of the pier, and have a look at Norman Road, King's Road and some of the parks and the architecture there.

[@jackryanmiller]

Hey, thanks so much, I’m actually planning to visit St Leonards in the next few weeks if the weather is nice so that’s very helpful

[@jenny-ROSEowl]

You missed the caves at smugglers adventure 🦇

[@jackryanmiller]

I would’ve loved to see the caves !

[@jenny-ROSEowl]

You were so close to them as well 3:02 them stairs went straight to them pretty much to the top then a right, if you ever come back they are worth a visit, I always find them amazing every time I visit.

[@jackryanmiller]

@@jenny-ROSEowl ah thanks so much, I’m coming back later this month and doing a st Leonard’s video so will defo check it out then

[@adamhughes4442]

Hastings is the biggest charity shop in England!

[@bobbybox5511]

13-35 you're at my local pub. The royal standard. I love hastings.

[@jackryanmiller]

Lovely! I’ll pop in there next time 👍

[@33wanwan]

should have gone under the road pass..shocking buskers..outsides mcdonald always drunk people there..quite funny though

[@jackryanmiller]

Ha ha would love to do some people watching in that bit on a Saturday night 😅

[@dotdoughty5504]

Didn’t. Like. It. Much. Not. What. I. Expected. Battle. Is. A. Nicer. Place.

[@jackryanmiller]

I’ll have to check out Battle soon

[@McMonkeyful]

Nice snappy video that took in a lot of the major landmarks & captured the vibe of Hastings. I grew up there in the 80s & 90s but moved away around 2000. In recent years I've grown very nostalgic about the place & have a weeks holiday booked there end of April/Start of May, staying in the Old Town. I don't think I really appreciated what an interesting place it is when I lived there. Having a bit of sunshine (& spending money) helps when I go back! I was toying with the idea of retiring there one day but if it keeps on improving, I may not be able to afford a house eek..

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much for your comment. I hope you have a great break there when you go, and fingers crossed you can retire there one day (I’m going to try to do the same 🤪)

[@suepeak7757]

I live down the road in Bexhill and I love going into Hastings old town

[@jackryanmiller]

Lovely, I was actually nearby at st Leonards a few days ago doing a new video!

[@jeffreyherbert7627]

The smugglihg caves are good for a visit. They go under much of the town.

[@jackryanmiller]

Thanks very much for the recommendation