The Pilot Field

The Pilot Field is where Hastings FC call home, a proper little ground that punches above its weight for a club of their size. It's the sort of place where you can actually see the pitch clearly from anywhere in the stands - no obstructed views nonsense - and there's a genuine sense of community about match days. The atmosphere depends entirely on who they're playing and whether the locals have turned out, but on a good day with a decent crowd, it's got charm in spades.

Football fans will get the most from a visit, obviously, but it's worth timing a trip to catch a match if you're staying nearby at Beaulieu Farm or Coghurst Hall. The ground itself won't take long to look around - you're talking an afternoon rather than a full day - but combined with a stroll into Hastings town centre afterwards, it slots nicely into a coastal break. The facilities are basic but functional, and parking nearby is straightforward enough.

If you're a supporter of non-league football or just fancy experiencing grassroots sport the way it's meant to be played, this beats a sterile Premier League stadium any day. It's real football in the truest sense. Just check their fixture list before you go - there's no point turning up on a Tuesday in August to find it empty.