Hastings Pier

The pier at Hastings is one of those places that feels properly alive. You walk out over the water and suddenly the whole seafront spreads behind you - the old town climbing up the hill, the shingle beach curving away. It's a working pier, not some museum piece, with amusement arcades, a restaurant, and enough going on to keep you occupied for an hour or so without feeling forced.

The structure itself was rebuilt after a fire in 2010, which means you get modern facilities grafted onto traditional Victorian bones. Walk to the end and you get unobstructed views across the Channel. On a clear day it's genuinely impressive. Families with younger kids will appreciate the arcades and the novelty of being out over the sea. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Combe Haven or Coghurst Hall are closest - it's an easy evening stroll into Hastings town centre, and the pier is the natural focal point.

The seafront itself is worth exploring beyond just the pier. The old town has proper character, with narrow streets, antique shops, and the castle ruins up on the cliff. You can easily spend half a day here combining the pier, a walk along the beach, and poking about in the town. It's not flashy or Instagram-ready in the conventional sense, but it's genuine Hastings - a bit weathered, a bit shabby round the edges, absolutely honest. Worth the trip if you're in Sussex for a park holiday.