Hastings Castle
Hastings, Coast
Photo: Kreepin Deth, CC BY-SA 3.0Photo: Kreepin Deth, CC BY-SA 3.0
The ruins of a Norman castle on the West Hill cliff above Hastings, with wide views over the Old Town, the sea and along the coast. Ride up on the Victorian West Hill Cliff Railway from George Street or walk up from the station.
Highlights
- Norman castle ruins on the cliff top
- Views over Hastings Old Town and the Channel
- West Hill Cliff Railway up from George Street
- Halloween family events in late October
Good to know
- Dogs are not allowed, as the site is in an exclusion zone
- Children must be supervised near the cliff edges
- Open air with no shelter, so dress for the weather
- Cold drinks and ice cream at the ticket office; the West Hill kiosk is nearby
Getting there
Hastings Castle, Castle Hill Road, Hastings, TN34 3ARParking: Limited metered parking on Castle Hill Road and a small car park lower down; larger seafront car parks at Pelham Place and Rock-a-Nore.
Get directionsChecked on 16 October 2026 against hastingscastle.org.uk, visitsoutheastengland.com. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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Nearby
Image: Visit 1066 Country (Hastings Borough Council)East Hill Cliff Railway, Hastings
A short, steep cliff railway climbing from Hastings Old Town to the clifftop at East Hill. At the top, Hastings Country Park opens out with sweeping coastal views, and at the bottom you are beside the beach-launched fishing fleet.
Image: Smugglers AdventureSmugglers Adventure
An atmospheric tour through more than an acre of St Clement's Caves under Hastings' West Hill, telling the story of the area's smuggling gangs. Life-sized scenes, interactive exhibits and sound effects bring 18th-century life underground to life.
Image: Hastings AquariumHastings Aquarium
An aquarium on the seafront at Rock-a-Nore with an underwater tunnel, an ocean tank with catsharks and a jungle area. Talks and feeds run through the day, and there is a cafe on site.