The Printworks

The Printworks sits on the outskirts of Hastings as a working reminder of Sussex's industrial past - a Victorian-era printing factory that's still producing letterpress work today. You can actually watch printers at their machines, see the original equipment, and understand how things were done before digital took over. It's hands-on in the best way: tactile, loud, genuinely interesting.

History buffs will find plenty to linger over. The building itself tells a story, all exposed brick and period fixtures, and the staff know their stuff - they're not just minding the place. You'll spend a solid hour or two here, depending on how deep you want to go. Some visitors take a quick thirty-minute tour; others end up staying much longer.

What you don't get is the polished museum experience. There's no café, no gift shop with overpriced mugs, no theatrical lighting. It's working and worn, which is precisely why it works. Families with kids old enough to appreciate machinery will get the most from it - teenagers doing Design or History at school especially. Younger ones might find it a bit dull after the novelty wears off.

If you're based at Beaulieu Farm Campsite or Combe Haven Holiday Park just down the road, it's worth the short drive. Pair it with Hastings town itself - the old town and seafront are proper interesting - rather than treating it as a standalone trip. Best to ring ahead before you visit, as opening hours aren't entirely straightforward.