🇬🇧 Day Trip from London | Hastings | A Seaside Escape

We set off from London Charing Cross (the starting station) and arrived at Hastings (the final stop) in about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with an open return ticket costing around £21. The train also stops at Waterloo East and London Bridge, so you can board at whichever station is most convenient! Upon arriving at Hastings Station, we opened Google Maps to find our way to the beach. Since the station is close to the coast and the streets are well-connected, we just followed the general direction and easily made it to the shore 🌊. 🍦 Ice Cream by the Sea A little ice cream shop near the beach had a long line of kids, so we joined in! We tried sea salt, mint, and mango flavors—because ice cream by the ocean is a must 🍦. ⛰️ Hiking Up West Hill In the afternoon, we decided to climb West Hill for a panoramic view. Due to COVID restrictions, the cliff railway was closed, so we hiked up instead. The narrow paths felt like weaving through tight alleyways, but Google Maps guided us perfectly! The view from the top was worth every step 👀. Missed Opportunities 😢 East Hill: Supposedly great for sunsets, but… no sun that day 🌥️. Cliff Railway: Was closed when we visited (though it’s now open—we totally missed it! 🥲). 🌊 Pebble Beaches & Chill Vibes Hastings’ shoreline is mostly pebbles, with a sandy beach further east near fishing boats (which, fair warning, can be a bit smelly). We sat on the stones, played music, and competed to see who could skip rocks the farthest. Everyone around us was just relaxing and soaking in the calm 🌿. Final Thoughts A perfect day trip from London—Hastings is a serene seaside town that feels worlds away from the city. Without pandemic restrictions, it would’ve been even more charming, but we still loved our little escape. #Hastings #DayTripFromLondon #SeasideVibes #UKTravel #SlowTravel 🚂🌊