The ruined clifftop castle William the Conqueror put up within days of landing in 1066
Access unclearno public right of way confirmed — check locally before setting out
Substantial ruinsruined, but plenty survives above ground
The first castle here went up fast: a timber structure brought over in pieces and put together within days of the Norman landing nearby, before William marched inland to fight Harold at the Battle of Hastings, a few miles away despite the name. It was rebuilt in stone before long and stood on West Hill above the town, with a clear view out to sea that was rather the point — this stretch of coast needed watching.
Part of the original castle is gone now, lost as the soft sandstone cliff beneath it eroded away over the centuries, so the ruins that survive are smaller than the castle once was. The remains include a collegiate church and an open enclosure known as the Ladies’ Parlour, along with stretches of wall looking out over the rooftops of the old town.
You can walk the grounds and take in the ruins, with Hastings Pelham Beach directly below and the rest of Hastings Country Park’s cliffs continuing east. Hastings station is a few minutes’ walk down the hill, and a Victorian funicular climbs part of West Hill for anyone who’d rather not do it on foot.
More at the National Heritage List entry
