A coastal town famed for its thriving high street, brimming with independent shops and rows of colourful houses, has been named the best place in England to visit in 2026.

If, like me, you grew up in the South East of England, then it’s likely that many a pocket full of money was thrown into the 2p machines of Hastings arcades. And that the large, somewhat haunting face of the caterpillar ride at the town’s Flamingo Park is etched into your memory. Many a day was spent aboard this leisurely larva, arms aloft in joy, before working through my coppers in the hopes of finally winning a keyring. 

Whilst the ride may be a thing of the past, Hastings – recently hailed by Time Out as the UK’s second-best place to visit this year and the finest in England – is very much vibrant and bustling. The East Sussex town, home to 90,000 residents, now has a speedy train service to London, taking just one hour and 23 minutes. So there really is no reason not to check out this seaside idyll. 

The Old Town presents the perfect location for retail exploration or a relaxed wander along the delightful High Street and George Street, where tilting structures rival York’s celebrated Shambles. The district brims with antique dealers, interior design establishments and brocante outlets.

From retro typewriters at the Goods Depot and distinctive ceramics plus art at Butler and George, to countless discoveries at Hastings Antiques Warehouse and Roberts Rummage, there is a bit of something for everyone here. 

Amid many gloomy headlines about the death of the high street, Hastings bucks the trend. It’s home to many excellent independent shops and boutiques. A particularly outstanding treasure is Old Hastings Pottery, where every piece is created on the premises and the craftsperson welcomes conversation.

The ultimate highlight might well be AG Hendy, an extraordinary three-storey emporium of beautifully displayed household goods, tucked behind a 1920s-inspired frontage. This impressive venture belongs to celebrated food author Alistair Hendy, who invested over three years renovating the late-Georgian structure.

Should shopping fail to appeal, or if you’ve simply exhausted your purchasing capacity, numerous alternative pursuits await in town. Hastings features a thriving independent picture house, the Electric Palace, available for private bookings at £260.

Marking a recent family celebration, we secured the Palace for a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001, accompanied by the Palace’s pick ‘n’ mix and refreshment selections. Head downhill towards the seafront, and you’ll find Hastings Contemporary, an excellent independent art gallery featuring contemporary British artists.

In 2024, Quentin Blake, celebrated for his illustrations in Roald Dahl books, exhibited 100 portraits at the gallery.

If you fancy staying over, there are plenty of lovely places to book for the night. All Saints is a cottage right in the centre of town, perfect for a family, while the impressive Cliffhanger, with its hot tub terrace, is ideal for a large group or special occasion. 

And let’s not overlook the chips. Whilst locals and frequent visitors will have their favoured chippy, I reckon the Blue Mermaid, positioned in the thriving fishing village, stands out as the finest option.

After sampling its delicious fried offerings, it’s a short walk to the West Hill Lift, a funicular railway that initially opened in 1891 and continues to run with its original wooden Victorian carriages. The railway journey takes you through a tunnel that is both thrilling and unique from a railway perspective.

If you’re lucky enough to arrive during pleasant weather, the town’s beach beckons for a swim, though it doesn’t entirely compare to the magnificent Fairlight nudist beach, situated a few miles along the coast.

Most guests choose to park at the hilltop before beginning a descent, tackling the steeper stretches, jumping over logs and stopping to appreciate streams tumbling into small waterfalls beneath the thick canopy of trees. The downward path is bordered by verdant, tightly packed trees, giving the area a somewhat prehistoric atmosphere on warm summer days when the air grows misty and fern leaves begin to glisten.

Following a mile-long walk through comparative darkness, visitors are abruptly met by sunlight as they arrive at Fairlight itself. The beach is bordered by 30m cliffs, which create a bay, providing a feeling of seclusion from the wider world and plenty of large flat rocks at their foot, ideal for spreading out your towel and relaxing.

The cliffs, composed of sandstone and clay, adopt an almost golden tone in the evening sunlight, giving Fairlight an ambience more evocative of somewhere far nearer to the Mediterranean than its true location.