Why not get the train?
Like most Regency seaside resorts, train travel transformed the fortunes of Hastings. The first train chugged into the station in 1851 and with it came a whole new income stream: weekenders and day trippers. When the station was updated in 1931, the council was clever enough to realise that part of its appeal was its architectural heritage and rebuilt it in the Georgian vernacular. St Leonards Warrior Square and West St Leonards stations both retain these open-fronted lace-like structures and as the train pulls in en route, it gives a real sense of having arrived somewhere special.
The main Hastings station, however, was given a rather radical facelift in 2004 and fi tted with a modern glass-fronted building with a large car park alongside the bus stands. If I am dragging luggage or children, I jump on one of these little hoppers or take a £4 taxi. Otherwise, I embrace the walk. As soon as you head down the hill, the sea becomes visible and the desire to reach it irresistible.
The train journey itself is effortless – around one-and-a-half hours direct from Charing Cross or London Bridge. Recently, they have reintroduced that most exciting of inventions: the refreshment trolley. Armed with a cup of tea and some UHT milk, who could want for more? In my experience, Southeastern trains rarely seem to have delays and if you buy a Network Railcard for £28 a year you can get one third off all tickets for you and three other adults.
The alternative, of course, is driving, on slow and unpredictable roads. At Rock House, the previous occupants were so devoted to their car, that some time in the early 1980s they concreted over the tiled fl oor of the main garden room and stuck an up-and-over metal garage door in place of a once exquisite porch. The garden itself was then given over to hardstanding and a driveway. Of course, having offstreet parking in the Old Town is seen as something rather special. Even a brief look online at Parkopedia (a handy guide to free parking) will show you that, umm, there is no free parking. There are car parks – expensive. And meters, ditto. Besides, having arrived here, why do you need a car?
The charm of the place is that everything is within walking distance. But if no excursion is complete without feeling the need to pour small change into a slot all day, then there is always the amusement arcade.
Next week: Despite the bad signal, TV was invented here…
The main Hastings station, however, was given a rather radical facelift in 2004 and fi tted with a modern glass-fronted building with a large car park alongside the bus stands. If I am dragging luggage or children, I jump on one of these little hoppers or take a £4 taxi. Otherwise, I embrace the walk. As soon as you head down the hill, the sea becomes visible and the desire to reach it irresistible.
The train journey itself is effortless – around one-and-a-half hours direct from Charing Cross or London Bridge. Recently, they have reintroduced that most exciting of inventions: the refreshment trolley. Armed with a cup of tea and some UHT milk, who could want for more? In my experience, Southeastern trains rarely seem to have delays and if you buy a Network Railcard for £28 a year you can get one third off all tickets for you and three other adults.
The alternative, of course, is driving, on slow and unpredictable roads. At Rock House, the previous occupants were so devoted to their car, that some time in the early 1980s they concreted over the tiled fl oor of the main garden room and stuck an up-and-over metal garage door in place of a once exquisite porch. The garden itself was then given over to hardstanding and a driveway. Of course, having offstreet parking in the Old Town is seen as something rather special. Even a brief look online at Parkopedia (a handy guide to free parking) will show you that, umm, there is no free parking. There are car parks – expensive. And meters, ditto. Besides, having arrived here, why do you need a car?
The charm of the place is that everything is within walking distance. But if no excursion is complete without feeling the need to pour small change into a slot all day, then there is always the amusement arcade.
Next week: Despite the bad signal, TV was invented here…