splash & sail & swim

The most perfect example of the unique connection between coast and community in this area can be found in Hastings Old Town.  Taken from an old Saxon word for 'landing place', the Stade is a steep, man-made shingle beach that, for nearly a thousand years, has been the primary source of income and activity for countless fishermen and their families.

It's no surprise that the Stade's immediate surroundings are full of monuments and landmarks that celebrate the achievements and sacrifices of the hardworking families that have made it such a close, successful community.  Although they are no longer in use, the tall black Net Huts, built vertically in order to avoid having to pay the heavy land taxes of the time, have been lovingly preserved.

The Shipwreck Heritage Centre contains many artefacts recovered from local waters together with numerous fascinating exhibits.  The border between the coast of South East England and the English Channel has one of the greatest concentrations of historic sunken ships in the world.  Hastings' most famous shipwreck, the Amsterdam, can only be seen at the lowest tides.  This 18th century vessel sank into the sands after beaching during a bad storm and there is an annual guided walk around its remains.

The Fishermen's Museum is housed in a charming old fishermen's church and at its heart is the 'Enterprise', the last sailing lugger to be built at Hastings over a century ago.

The beaches at Hastings, Bexhill, Camber and Pevensey are also used as a base for sailing, rowing, angling and windsurfing with a thriving sports community.  The beaches' South East-facing orientation means the North East wind is crossshore and therefore safe for water and windsports.