A Guide To Hastings Old Town

Hastings is a truly unique English coastal town. The Old Town itself is a beautiful area widely considered a place of historical importance as well as a tourist destination. Thousands of visitors go to the Old Town for the many attractions and famous international events.

A view of The Stade in Hastings Old Town

The old town is home to the biggest beach launching fishing fleet in Britain, the shingle beach has always been known as The Stade (the old Saxon term meaning "landing place") being a maritime center for over a thousand years. The fleet has always been famous and internationally recognized for fishing in an ecologically sound way.

A famous and unique part of the old town are the famous Net Shops: these are tall black wooden sheds which were built to provide a weather proof store for the fishing gear made from natural materials to prevent them from rotting in wet weather. The sheds were originally built on posts to allow the sea to go underneath, however more shingle has built up and the sea does not reach the huts anymore. The beach area, on which the Sheds stand on, built up after groynes were erected in 1834, however the limited space meant the sheds had to grow upwards, even though some sheds do have cellars.

Many colourful events take place every year in the Old Town such as the Seafood & Wine Festival, the Old Town Week, the Bonfire Procession, etc. as well as many shows & performances,

Residents having a spontaneous chat on Winkle Island 

This summer event is probably the most famous of all the yearly events celebrated in the Old Town. It represents the culmination of the The Old Town Week, officially opened on Winkle Island and include erstet parties, pop & rock concerts, charity races, morris dancing, etc. The Carnival procession, which contains innumerable 'floats', dancers, majorettes and marching bands, etc. ends with a gigantic evening firework display. Other events taking place during Old Town week include: The Seaboot Race, the Bike Race, the famous Pram Race, the Best Dressed Window Competition, the Grand Procession, the High Street Party as well as the Old Town Film Show, the Trawler Parade, etc.

Residents participating in Old Town Week

The Carnival was first started in 1968 after Old Town residents felt the original Hastings Carnival should have included the Old Town in its route and decided to set up their own carnival. The Old Town event gradually got more popular and bigger, whilst the Hastings event became less popular and eventually stopped. As a parting gift the Old Town organisers were allowed to title the Carnival Queen "Miss Hastings".

During the successful Seafood & Wine Festival 2007

Winkle Island is at the heart of Hastings Old Town and is part of a unique area in Hastings called 'The Stade' (the old Saxon term for 'landing place') and the stretch of shingle beach from which Hastings famous fishing fleet has launched every day for over thousand years.

The giant winkle on Winkle Island

Winkle Island is located at the foot of All Saints Street at its junction with Rock-A-Nore Road at Hastings seafront. The small island is the central meeting point for many outdoor events such as the Hastings Hastings Old Town Week, Jack In The Green as well as many other artistic local events and street performances. A giant winkle standing on the pavement is used as a collecting box for charity purposes.

The Winkle Club is an internationally famous charitable organization formed in 1900 by Hastings fishermen to help chldren of under-privileged families in the Old Town. The club's headquarters, is located at the Fishermen's Institute and opened in 1882. The building was given in trust for the use of Hastings Fishermen; the ground floor area, now used as the bar and clubroom, was initially used by the fishermen for making and repairing their nets. Apart from some specially selected local residents, Winkle Club members have included some very illustrious personalities such as the the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, Lord Montgomery, and Sir Winston Churchill.

Each Winkle Club Member (or 'Winkler') carries a winkle shell which they must produce when challenged to 'winkle up'. Failure to do so results in a fine which goes towards local charities. During special occasions, members of the Winkle Club gather together on Winkle Island at the foot of All Saints' Street. Winkle Island is the venue for many of the club's outdoor events. The giant winkle that stands on the pavement (see above), was used as a collecting box in the past.