The True CRIME Museum

The True Crime Museum sits just outside Hastings and does exactly what it says on the tin - walks you through some of Britain's most notorious criminal cases. It's the sort of place that either fascinates you or makes you deeply uncomfortable, depending on your stomach for the macabre. Inside, you'll find exhibits covering everything from Victorian murders to more recent high-profile cases, with photographs, artefacts, and detailed accounts that pull no punches.

It's definitely not for everyone. Children under about fourteen will probably find it either tedious or unsettling, and if you're the sort who finds true crime documentaries exploitative, you'll want to skip this one. But for anyone genuinely interested in criminal history and how the justice system has evolved, it's absorbing stuff. The museum gives proper context rather than just sensationalising, which makes the difference.

You'll need a couple of hours to get through it properly without rushing. Admission isn't free, though exact prices aren't advertised online - best ring ahead or check their site before you go. It's positioned well for a Sussex coast trip, sitting between Hastings town centre and the various holiday parks dotted around - Combe Haven, Beaulieu Farm, and Coghurst Hall are all within easy reach, usually two to three miles away. It makes a decent rainy-day option when the beach gets unbearable, and it breaks up the traditional holiday park routine. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if dark history holds your interest, it's worth an afternoon.