Spring is finally here, and Britain is getting a welcome spell of warm weather. With lighter evenings and sunny skies, many will be heading to the coast to enjoy the best of what the UK has to offer. One seaside town on the south east coast stands out not just for its beauty, but for its long beach and unusually warm temperatures.

Hastings in East Sussex has everything you’d expect from a traditional seaside town. According to The Beach Guide, the town’s main beach stretches for 1.1 miles and backs directly onto the promenade, offering easy access to shops, cafes, and attractions. The beach is mostly shingle, but at low tide a wide stretch of sand appears, which is perfect for beach games or building sandcastles. There’s also a Victorian pier, grand Edwardian buildings, and Britain’s steepest funicular railway. Temperatures in Hastings can also climb well above average in April. 

According to Extreme Weather Watch, the town has reached or passed 20C several times over the last two decades, with a record 24.4C recorded on April 15, 2003. 

In more recent years, April temperatures hit 23.8C in 2019 and 21.8C in 2018.

What’s more, the town is full of history. It was one of the medieval Cinque Ports and is closely linked to the Norman conquest of England. 

While the Battle of Hastings in 1066 took place a few miles inland at Battle Abbey, the remains of William the Conqueror’s first English castle still stand above the town today.

Hastings is also home to Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet.

Boats have landed their catch at The Stade for more than 1,000 years, and visitors can watch the fishermen bring in fresh seafood daily.

For things to do, the town has plenty of options. According to Visit South East England, Hastings Castle, Hastings Country Park, the Smugglers Adventure caves, the Shipwreck Museum and the recently refurbished Hastings Aquarium all offer something for visitors. 

The True Crime Museum, set in seafront caves, features the UK’s largest collection of crime memorabilia.

Art lovers can visit Hastings Contemporary, a modern British art gallery located by the sea among the town’s famous black net huts.

There’s also a packed events calendar throughout the year, including the Jack in the Green Festival in May, Pirates Day in July, the Old Town Carnival in August, and the Hastings Bonfire in October.