“With a new cookery school, artisan shops, gourmet food and modern art, the Sussex seaside town has gone cool.” – The Guardian
The Guardian says it, so it must be true. Hastings has now achieved 3rd coolest seaside town in Britain, beating Whitstable and Margate which came in at fourth and fifth respectively on the coolness gauge.
Whitstable and Margate be like:
For those in the know this comes as no surprise. Every week new quirky businesses arrive out of nowhere looking to cash in on Hastings' status as the “London day trip destination of choice”.
With a new reputation as a hub for creative bohemian art and culture, cheaper retail estate and a packed schedule of annual events drawing in the crowds. Hastings is the perfect venue for a business owner’s new artisan bakery or vegan wholesale store.
Why Hastings is Definitely the 3rd Coolest Seaside Town in Britain
The Art
There are loads of exciting art galleries in and around Hastings. The jewel in the Hastings art crown is the British contemporary Jerwood Gallery situated in the Stade area. The Jerwood Gallery houses an international standard collection of contemporary art and serves as a huge draw for artists, creative types and art aficionados.
The edgier street art can be found in St Leonards, much of it inspired by the sea. Many works incorporate local materials such as driftwood.
The Accessibility
London is the place to be and Hastings’ good transport links and close proximity to the capital does it no harm in the ‘cool’ stakes.
Rich city entrepreneurs, musicians, artists and young families need only travel on the train for an hour and a half to find themselves by the seaside. Families are given even more incentive to visit Hastings with the new discounted family train tickets organised by the Hastings Tourist Board.
With a reputation as the ‘new Shoreditch’ and the ‘in’ crowd making frequent pilgrimages to the seaside it's not hard to see why Hastings is the place to be and be seen.
Tradition Vs Innovation
Hastings is unique in the fact that it is steeped in culture and history but simultaneously boasts highly modern, cosmopolitan aspects. The old world charm of the Old Town contrasts with the cutting edge Jerwood Gallery which sits rather incongruously by the fisherman's old maritime boat sheds and fishing vessels.
Architectural treasures such as Hastings Castle, Battle Abbey and the old time smugglers' tunnels are in sharp contrast to the stylish newly established array of businesses such as artisan bakeries, upmarket delicatessens and fine dining restaurants. The diversity of the area is such that you’re likely to discover some fantastic vintage and antique shops next door to a hipster-esque craft beer pub and contemporary art gallery. The continual surprises and revelations of Hastings, with its fascinating mixture of old and new or tradition and innovation, makes it a most satisfying location to spend some time.
The People
Hastings is without a doubt is a fantastic place to sit and do some people watching with eccentrics and colourful characters aplenty providing a fine display for the casual observer. As all wildlife experts know, timing is everything and there is no better time to people watch than during one of Hastings mad festivals where all manner of men, women and children take to the streets like birds of paradise (or prey) to parade their bizarre plumage before the public.
Image by Duncan Price via Flickr - CC Licence
The Hastings crowd like to let loose during festivals and express their inner selves.
This Man
Enough said really…
Image by Duncan Price via Flickr - CC Licence
