East Hill

The cliffside walk up East Hill is what you do when you've had enough of Hastings seafront and want something with actual legs to it. The path climbs steeply through woodland before opening out onto open grassland with proper views across the English Channel and back towards the old town. On a clear day you can see the whole sweep of the bay - Romney Marsh stretches away to the west, and the cliffs have that austere, weathered quality that makes you understand why this stretch of coast mattered so much historically.

It's a straightforward walk from Hastings town centre, taking about twenty minutes to reach the top if you're reasonably fit, though the gradient means it's not one for small children unless you're prepared for complaints. The reward is genuine though - a windswept hilltop with breathing space and scale. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, which is exactly the point. Come up here after rain when the grass is slick and the light breaks through the clouds in that particular way it does on the south coast.

If you're staying at Beaulieu Farm or Coghurst Hall just outside town, this fills an afternoon nicely between beach visits. Not a destination in itself, but a proper walk that reminds you why you came to Hastings rather than spending the week in a carpark. Allow ninety minutes there and back if you're taking your time.