Underrated but 'unloved' UK seaside town named among the best in Britain

A beautiful seaside village in the UK has been named one of the best in the country despite it being 'underrated' - and it's the perfect holiday retreat for this summer
A town in the UK "that doesn't get the love it deserves" has been named among the best places in the country.
Hastings in Sussex is a beautiful seaside town on the south coast of England. It has a population of 91,000 people and a convenient one hour 23 minute train ride to the capital. It is also a good holiday destination for those who don't want to hop on a plane and travel hundreds of miles from home.
‌
For a bit of context and history, the town's name comes from the Battle of Hastings, which took place in 1066. The battle resulted in a Norman victory, which marked a turning point in English history and the start of the Norman Conquest.
‌
Despite being a great spot for those seeking a coastal holiday, it seems to be quite underrated despite the many good things it has to offer, such as its extensive history and beaches.
Travel company Rough Guides has included Hastings in the list of 30 best seaside towns in the UK. The site said: 'Whether you want nice beaches in England, pebble bays in Wales or coastal artists' retreats in Scotland, the UK certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to seaside towns.'
The site also claimed that despite its rank on the list, the town 'doesn't get the love it deserves'.
Things to do in Hastings, Sussex
One thing about Hastings is that you'll never get bored of it. There are so many activities, both for children and adults, to suit all different preferences. The main attractions are the Hastings Castle, the Hasting Piers and, of course, a visit to the Old Town.
‌
For those who like history, there are plenty of museums where visitors can learn about the town's history and the shipwrecks in the English Channel. Some of the key places are the Shipwreck Museum, Hastings Fishermen's Museum Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.
However, if you're looking to relax in the sounds of the beach waves, the beach stretches from the Old Town to Bulverhythe and has a mixture of sand and pebbles. For example, Pelham Beach is a popular spot for those travelling with small children. Alternatively, Stade Beach and St Leonards On Sea Beach are great for sunbathing and other water activities.
Hastings also has the UK's largest beach-based fishing fleet, and the town praised for its 'ultra-fresh seafood'. Many restaurants specialise in fresh, locally sourced seafood, offering the best fish and chips to other delicious platters, ensuring that locals and visitors have a wide variety of things to eat.
Despite being 'underrated', Hastings welcomes around 63,000 visitors a year with around 3.8 million tourism day trips, as the Hastings Town Deal reported. So, if you're thinking of visiting a new place that doesn't involve taking a plane and has a lot of things to do, Hastings is the place for you.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Record

2 hours ago

• Daily Record

Tommy Fleetwood reveals inspiration behind Travelers Championship charge as he eyes epic PGA Tour win

Brilliant Englishman on the brink of success at Travelers with a round to go Driven Tommy Fleetwood admits it would be silly to think he's not bursting to break his PGA Tour duck. The English star is on the brink of winning for the first time in the United States as he takes a three-shot lead into the final round of the Travelers Championship. ‌ Fleetwood has seven triumphs on the DP World Tour, has won Ryder Cups and has the highest number of Top 10 finishes without winning, but is widely-recognised as the best current player never to have triumphed on the circuit. ‌ However, the 34-year-old is in prime position at TPC River Highlands and said: 'I'm on top of a lot of stat lines for people that haven't won on the PGA Tour, so to always to be a No.1 at something is always nice! 'Yeah, of course I would love to win on the PGA Tour. It's like an element of your career that everybody wants and I of course want it. This year, especially, this is like my first real chance, so I'm really excited about that and looking forward to it. 'It's easy to put pressure on yourself and, the longer things go on, the more people talk about it, of course they do. But there's also things that I'm very proud about as well, like my consistency, where I stand FedExCups and World Rankings and things like that. So there's a lot to be happy about. 'But I'm not going to be silly and say I don't care about it. Of course I want to win and, hopefully, it will happen sooner rather than later.' Fleetwood is deeply respected amongst the game's elite and the feeling is mutual as he takes inspired education on board from the likes of Ryder Cup partner Rory McIlroy and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler. ‌ He explained: 'No doubt everybody mentions Scottie when he's on the leaderboards. He's definitely earned that. He's been there a lot, he's won a lot and, over the last two, three years, he has definitely been that player that has found that way to win. But all you can do is focus on yourself. 'He's a great person to aspire to in terms of his game, the level that he's played at. I look at what the best players are doing and basically try and copy it. How they practice, how they play, how they manage their selves around the golf course. "So I think it's great having the likes of Scottie and Rory who are having such amazing careers as we are playing to look up to and learn from. 'But when you're out there playing you just, it's all about you and focusing on your game. Because I think there's times when you'll finish, aside from winning, winning is obviously the ultimate satisfaction, but there's times when you'll finish second and be disappointed, there's times when you'll finish 20th and come away feeling pretty good, so it's all about your own self satisfaction at the end of the day.' Fleetwood has wife Clare and his kids roaring him along in Connecticut and he said: 'Yeah, they're great. My biggest supporters completely. They love golf. They absolutely love it. It is always great having them out. "I'm sort of one of the guys that probably, living where I live, does the most amount of travel and probably spends the most amount of time away from my family, if you like. So I do really love the weeks when they are out here.'

The National

6 hours ago

• The National

Inside an asylum hotel – the experiences of those left waiting

The so-called 'asylum hotels' have been the site of anti-immigration protests in recent years, and hit the headlines last summer when they became the target of far-right riots in England, but so often missing from the coverage are the voices of those living inside. The Sunday National met three men staying in a hotel to find out more about their experience in Scotland. Kawa KAWA* has been in asylum accommodation for 10 months, first in Aberdeen and then more recently in South Lanarkshire. In his home country of Iran, speaking out against the regime's human rights abuses can have grave consequences. When his activities were reported to the authorities, he was forced to flee his home in the middle of the night to avoid capture. 'There were no preparations, it happened all of a sudden,' Kawa said. 'I was just thinking about not falling into the hands of the government because they easily burn lives. If I was arrested, a dark fate awaited me.' He paid a smuggler for safe passage from Iran into Europe – a dangerous journey he 'would not even wish on his enemies'. The 35-year-old wears a black cap every day, which he explained was to cover his newly greying hair. READ MORE: BBC officially axes documentary on Gaza doctors over 'impartiality' concerns 'During this time all my hair turned white … being away from my family cost me a lot. Now I hide myself when I talk to them so they won't be upset.' Kawa left behind his wife in Tehran and has been suffering from depression since he arrived in Scotland. Unable to speak English, he explained through a translator that he has struggled to get the support he needs for his mental health. Furthermore, issues with his ASPEN card – a prepaid card which allows people seeking asylum to get their weekly subsistence allowance – means he has yet to receive any financial support. While their claim for refugee status is assessed, people seeking asylum are not allowed to work or claim benefits. The hotel provides a room and three basic meals a day, and the Government issues a weekly allowance of £8.86. With no income and nothing to do all day, frustration and boredom set in quickly with residents, many of whom face lengthy waits for their applications to be processed. Mohammad MOHAMMAD* stayed in the hotel for 15 months. He left Sudan on the back of a sheep lorry, the only means of transport he could find, to escape war in 2023. 'There's nothing to plan for with nine pounds,' said Mohammad. 'You just sleep, get up, sleep – there's a lot of time to think. The time in the hotel is very difficult for mental health, with anxiety and depression. 'If allowed to study during asylum time it would be very helpful. Instead of letting people stay and waiting, let them work and do something to support themselves and the community.' People like Kawa and Mohammad rely on charities to provide clothes and other basic amenities. With a long history of accommodating asylum seekers, Glasgow has many organisations that provide support, but even a trip into the city is often out of reach for those accommodated in other towns across Scotland. 'When I arrived, there were no organisations in this area,' Mohammad said. 'People were talking about stopping asylum and sending people to Rwanda; I was scared about this. 'Maybe because there is a lot of fake news about people coming here, inside you feel strange; it's a big barrier most people are struggling with. You don't feel it's your real country. We are very thankful for everything, but there's still this kind of sense.' Dismayed by the lack of services in South Lanarkshire, a group of local residents formed East Kilbride Integration Network (EKin) at the end of 2023 to help address the basic needs of those in the hotel. They hold monthly conversation cafes, where people can meet for a hot drink, practise their English and even get a haircut. Mohammad took up the opportunity to attend English classes and play football with a local team. He has since started volunteering at the organisation, alongside fellow refugee Ahmed* who also fled the war in Sudan. Ahmed AHMED travelled to the UK alone, in a journey across North Africa and into Europe that spanned five months. A huge football fan, he said his knowledge of England was mostly from supporting Liverpool FC, but the 25-year-old knew nothing of Scotland before he was placed here. 'When I came here, I was really nervous,' he said. 'I'm in a different country with new people – are they going to be friendly with us or not? I asked myself many questions. I didn't go out in my first three weeks.' READ MORE: Labour blasted as 'deeply authoritarian' over plans to proscribe Palestine Action Ahmed was unable to speak English when he arrived in 2023, and 'felt ashamed' that he could not converse with people due to the language barrier. Armed with a notepad and pen, he spent his time in the library with the aim of learning 10 new words every day. He added: 'I have to learn quickly to understand people and the system, or there are so many doors closed on your face in the future.' The asylum system not only dictates where you live while you await the outcome of your application, but it also strips away the daily autonomy most take for granted – such as what food to eat and when. 'Sometimes the food is bad, sometimes it's nice,' Ahmed said. 'You don't have any choice, you have to eat at the same time, if you didn't eat at that time, there is no food for you.' With no friends or family around, everyone we spoke to told us life in the asylum system can be very isolating. More than 100 refugee charities across the UK recently signed an open letter urging the UK Government to end the use of hotels and instead accommodate people in community housing which supports 'better integration into society'. In the current circumstances, local organisations that offer events and support are often the only way for people to make new connections in the area. 'In EKin community I made friends, they help us so much,' said Ahmed. 'There are a lot of activities, I play football, sometimes the gym, and badminton – I didn't have any idea about this. Last year we went on some trips to Edinburgh, to Kelvingrove Museum, it was fantastic. I feel like I'm in the middle of my family.' Mohammad and Ahmed recently received their refugee status, and are planning to further their education in software development and electrical engineering respectively. They both want to remain in Scotland to build their new lives. Kawa's initial asylum claim was rejected by the Home Office, and now he is awaiting the outcome of his appeal. *Names have been changed

Scottish Sun

12 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

I explored the tiny European country with underground cities and little-known islands

As the sun set over Ta' Cicivetta farm, we were prepared a feast of traditional dishes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) REACHING for my umpteenth honey and date fritter, I joked that I would have to use the hotel gym after our incredible meal. But my host clutched her pearls and gasped: 'No, no. You have to forget about the gym in Malta, my love.' Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The colourful, quaint cafes in Valetta's old town in Malta Credit: Getty 4 The Azure Window on the Maltese island of Gozo Credit: Getty Malta derives its name from the Greek word meaning 'place of honey' — fitting, for somewhere I was quickly realising might be Europe's most underrated culinary utopia. And with underground cities, little-known islands and mysterious temples, I would soon discover this wasn't the only surprise Malta had in store. As the sun set over Ta' Cicivetta farm, we were prepared a feast of traditional dishes, all using ingredients sourced from the garden we stood in. This tiny Mediterranean country is smaller than the Isle of Wight, which goes some way in explaining why its food goes under many people's radars; the limited land area means Maltese produce is barely exported, so you have to try it at source. In one dinner, we could taste the different cultures that have called Malta home over the centuries — Italian in the ricotta parcels and focaccia, Arabian in the date-based sweets and bigilla (a hummus-like dip made from beans), Spanish in the bread rubbed with tomato and drizzled in olive oil. Equally intriguing, however, was how easy it is to come across a full English on this faraway archipelago. The British stopped ruling Malta in 1964, but they left behind a love for this breakfast along with other cultural footprints such as UK plugs, driving on the left and speaking English (an official language here alongside Maltese). I got used to the unexpected sight of red telephone boxes on the streets of cities like Mdina, an ancient fortress which otherwise looked like something out of Game Of Thrones. Mdina's winding lanes and picturesque plazas were actually used as King's Landing in the HBO series, and our guide, Audrey, would occasionally hold up a scene on her phone to prove it. But Malta has seen real battles that make Starks vs Lannisters look like a tea party. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival The country was heavily bombed during the Second World War, forcing people to seek refuge in tunnels under the capital, Valletta, built 400 years earlier by knights defending the city against the Ottomans. We had already been given an introduction to Malta's fascinating past at Odyssey — an immersive history experience complete with special effects and rides — now, prepped with head-torches and hard hats, we explored this amazing subterranean network on a tour with Heritage Malta. Visitors walking Valletta's grand streets and enjoying €4 Aperol spritzes in its squares seemed to have no idea what lay beneath their feet — understandable, as the city's ground-level attractions are impressive enough. These include the 16th-century cathedral (home to one of Caravaggio's most famous paintings, The Beheading of St John the Baptist), the Upper Barrakka Gardens with sweeping views over the harbour, and the stunning Grandmaster's Palace, all within walking distance of each other. In fact, pretty much all distances on this island are extremely manageable, especially from where we stayed in St. Julian's. It's a great base for exploring Malta by car, and a stay at the Hyatt Regency there makes coming back after a day of activities almost as appealing as heading out. 4 Tuck into a feast of traditional dishes at the Hyatt Credit: Hyatt 4 The Sun's Nuria Cremer-Vazquez loved the island Credit: Nuria The luxury hotel has pristine sea-view rooms with balconies, as well as a heated rooftop pool, spa facilities and a gym (for anyone who does wish to burn off those honey and date fritters). Its rooms are also triple-glazed so, despite St. Julian's being Malta's nightlife capital, we didn't have to worry about our five-star sleep being disturbed by revellers. Awe-inspiring A short drive from the hotel is the port of Cirkewwa, the jumping-off point for visiting Malta's sister islands, Gozo and Comino, and we were lucky enough to have Audrey — a proud Gozitan — showing us around her home isle. Gozo is an unassuming patch of land with a smaller population than Dover, yet it is home to the awe-inspiring Ggantija temples — megalithic structures that are older than the pyramids. Its vibrant capital, Victoria, is another must-visit, and on a clear day you can even see Sicily from the ramparts of the city. There is plenty to do beyond sightseeing. At Il-Wileg restaurant, you can try your hand at making the authentic Gozitan cheese, which is served all over Malta, under the watchful eye of a local chef — or you can take an idyllic tuk-tuk ride around the island. We rounded off our day trip with a memorable dinner at L-Istorja, set inside the lavish Kempinski Hotel. It serves the rich tapestry of Maltese cuisine with a gourmet twist but without the fine-dining cost — so you might as well order the gold-leaf-coated gnocchi and knock back a few Gozitan wines. Gozo has much of what makes Malta so special — stunning citadels, mind-blowing food, budget-friendly prices, and glittering turquoise sea — though it has noticeably fewer tourists, giving it a more relaxed, off-the-beaten-track feel. The ferry takes 25 minutes and costs less than €5, and you only pay on the return journey. Technically, if you chose to stay, the journey would be free — and you could certainly be forgiven for never wanting to leave.