Wednesday 17 August 2016

Madhouse diaries : The West Hill, Hastings


We've just got back from a fortnight discovering the lunar lava landscapes of Lanzarote, but I still haven't finished telling you about our trip to Hastings yet, so you'll have to wait for a while to hear about our Canarian holiday adventures ! While in Hastings, we headed up to the West Hill which, you've probably guessed it, overlooks the East Hill, rising up on the other side of the Old Town. 


We had plans to go up there too but ran out of time so that will be for another trip. It's a wilder, less developed area that would be perfect for a spot of kite-flying, and you may remember how much fun Pierre has been having with his kite lately. I even managed to find two kites for a pound in one of the town centre pound shops, so it's all set up for next time !

The first thing we visited on the West Hill was St Clements Caves, now known as Smugglers Adventure - I've already blogged about our slightly spooky visit so click through to find out more about it.


The next stop was a play area where there was lots of giggles on the swings and roundabouts.


While Pierre and Juliette burnt off some of their endless energy ...


... the older members of the extended Madhouse family found a nice bench to have a rest on !


From both the West and East Hills, you get great views across the Old Town and down to the beach.


You can see down to the Stade with its amusement arcades and fairground rides. I'm trying to look at my old hometown through the eyes of a tourist and introduce Madhouse Daddy and the kids to some of the things that the residents take for granted. We'll have to have a go on the boating lake in one of the swan boats next summer and maybe take the tiny miniature train along to Rockanore.


We always end up going down to win toys in the 2p machines in the amusement arcades and have a go on the bumper cars, so it must be about time to go the whole hog as daytrippers !


I always love the way the Old Town mixes up the old and the new, with the amusement park backing on to the historic net huts and the fishing fleet.


Hastings is famous for the fact that the fishing boats are pulled up onto the shingle beach rather than into a harbour.


To finish off, we headed up to the Ladies' Parlour, a grassy plateau on top of the sandstone cliffs just opposite Hastings Castle.


I haven't been there for at least 20 years and it's another of the places I always think I should show the family, but there's hardly anything left so it never really seems worth it ! Nearby Bodiam Castle is always much more impressive.


Before heading for home, we had a good giggle at the warning signs dotted around behind the fences ! 

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful views over the old town. It is so wonderful to see your Dad being such a great sport and playing with his grandkids

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    1. I think he's the biggest kid of the lot of them ... and I definitely take after him !!

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  2. Such an interesting post of a beautifully historic place to visit with so many different adventures to enjoy. I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing, Sarah

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    1. It's funny when you've lived in a place for so long that you don't see things the same as the tourists, which is what I'm trying to get back to !

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  3. Such a beautiful little town with so much history behindo it. I found it fascinating that the fishing boat are pulled up onto the beach! From the looks of your pictures you all had a lovely time.xx #countrykids

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  4. Lovely to see a familiar place through the eyes of others. My children love it when they find a playground that's new to them. Just when you think they have grown out of them. I didn't know about the boats being pulled out. Images of them doing this by hand, but I suspect there are pulleys involved. #CountryKids

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    1. Yes, big chains and winches but I believe in days of old, it was horses

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  5. What a lovely day out for all of you, it's great that you managed to explore some more of your home town with the kids. That park looks like a fab place for kids to let off some steam with so many unusual pieces of equipment to use! The kids look like they always really enjoy visiting Hastings, it's great to show kids what you used to enjoy as a child isn't it?

    Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids.

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    1. It is lovely to go back to your own childhood haunts and see them through the eyes of children again :)

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