Where creativity meets connection
Di Polas
14 Marine Parade, Hastings TN34 3AH
Like any self-respecting seaside town, Hastings has an icecream shop which is out of this world. Located in the middle of the seafront,this authentic parlour has more flavours than you can shake a wafer cone at.The delicious frozen delights are made onsite, with loads of special flavoursbeing regularly folded into the menus.
And don’t be deterred if there’s a queue; this place is thereal deal, with perhaps the finest selection of gelato you’ll find outsideItaly.
Frewen College
Rye Road, Northiam TN31 6NL
An independent co-educational day and boarding school, FrewenCollege specialises in dyslexia and co-occurring specific learning difficultiesfor children aged 7 to 19.
Located in the beautiful East Sussex countryside - with aPrep School, Senior School and Sixth Form - Frewen provides excellent pastoralsupport in a high-quality learning environment which unlocks each student'sfullest potential, enabling them to
Aspire, Believe and Achieve.
As the first dyslexia school in the UK – and, it’s believed,the world - they embed the most effective, evidence-based teaching methods,with assistive technology used throughout the school. Our small class sizesmean that staff know students extremely well, enabling them to adapt learningto best support each individual.
All of their students have specific learning difficulties,and their primary needs are typically dyslexia and/or dyscalculia, oftentogether with dyspraxia, speech and language and/or sensory integrationdisorders.
A broad curriculum is offered with a full range of GCSEcourses and a wide range of Sixth Form options which provide transition tofurther/higher education and careers. An extensive range of extra-curricularactivities is also offered including sports, arts/crafts, games, Duke ofEdinburgh Award and other outdoor education opportunities – many making use of theexcellent facilities and 60 acres of playing fields and grounds.
The school’s experienced boarding team provides full,weekly and flexi-boarding in a nurturing home-from-home environment, withactivities on/off site and trips.
A new offering, Prep Plus, has just been launched whichwidens the Prep School admissions criteria to include literacy difficulties,rather than purely students with a dyslexia diagnosis.
Frewen’s most recent review in the Good Schools Guidereads: “Pupils are free to develop into the people they want to be. Staffencourage them to value themselves, and eventually walk, fully equipped, overthe bridge to face the world beyond. What more could you ask from their schooldays?
Find out more at: www.frewencollege.co.uk
The Mermaid Inn
Mermaid Street, Rye TN31 7EY
Watching over the ancient town for around 600 years, thisRye institution boasts an AA Rosette Restaurant and lush walled patio. Oncefrequented by smugglers, it now offers rooms to weary travellers who areseduced by the building’s old school charm.
You can avail yourself of The Tudor Room or enjoy a drink ortwo in the aptly named Giant’s Fireplace Bar. There are also two lounges, oneremarkable for the wall carvings left by various Catholic priests escaping tothe continent during the Reformation, while the other looks out onto theancient cobbles of Mermaid Street – the town’s busiest street during its heyday.Anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the building’s rich history can evenparticipate in one of their regular guided tours.
Hastings Contemporary
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW
Situated on the Old Town’s dramatic seafront, HastingsContemporary offers world-class modern and contemporary art in a spectacularsetting. Through innovative programming, partnerships and collaborations, thisforward-looking gallery has become a celebrated and inclusive cultural hub forthe South East.
This summer’s bug exhibition is Undersea, the finalshow in a trilogy curated by renowned art historian James Russell. This gathersover 75 artworks that span four centuries and a range of cultures, inviting visitorsof all ages to take a dip amongst the waves. Spanning four centuries and fivecontinents, this exhibition celebrates cultural connections and the pleasuresof difference. Look out for coral, crabs, lobsters, mermaids, and more, all asseen through artists’ eyes.
Hastings Contemporary is located next to one of Europe’soldest and largest beach-launched fishing fleets, which has been reflected in aseason of exhibitions about life above and below the waves. It appearsalongside an immersive site-specific installation, The Sea Feeds the Wind,created in collaboration with artist Mary Hooper and the Hastings Fishermen’sProtection Society, which documents and celebrates the cultural and industrialheritage of the Hastings fishing community. A full programme of events willshowcase and share the town’s fishing heritage and the threats that the fishingfleet now faces.
Hastings Castle
Castle Hill Rd., West Hill, Hastings TN34 3HY
After coming to these shores in a fleet of small boats andoverwhelming the locals, William the Conqueror, the nearly-crowned king ofEngland and budding tapestry model, was keen to prevent others from replicatinghis feat. This led to the construction of three fortifications along the coastat Dover, Pevensey and Hastings. The latter became an iconic sight on the hillabove a tiny Sussex fishing village, watching as it grew into a world-famousseaside resort.
Violent storms, poor maintenance and the French mean thatthe ancient fort is a shadow of its former self. Although, it’s still worth aclimb up this hill for some amazing views and a stroll around the huge broodingremains of this legendary fort.
Soap and Salvation
18-22 Rope Walk, Rye TN31 7NA
Some stores make you think about form and function in brand-newways. Opened in 2021, Soap and Salvation has swiftly become a haven for antiquelovers and interior designers. Housed in a restored chapel, it offers a fresharray of classic items, antiques, art, textiles, and homewares. There's even a libraryand bookshop, for those looking for inspiration on their next creative project.
Around this is a delightful array of furniture, ornaments,lighting and artwork, blending rustic antiques, contemporary items andcarefully restored pieces. Whether you’re looking for a practical item or a statementpiece, make this treasure trove your first stop.
Maggie's Fish & Chips Restaurant
Fishmarket, Rock-A-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW
We’re at the seaside, so some fish & chips seemappropriate. Maggie’s is so close to the local fishing fleet that the morning’scatch could probably make its own way to the fryers. A family-run business withfriendly service and loads of specials, this is simply the best.
The café is a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy somebattered treats, after having a nose around the market below. There’s anamazing view of the sea, and they even sell alcohol. Can anyone ask for more?
Mark O'Donnell
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