Hastings, E. Sussex-what to do with a 2.5 yr old.

[peasoup]

We have to go from London down to Hastings to pick up a big Ebay purchase (fireplace) and the only time the seller can meet us is a Sunday which is the only day me, Dh and Ds usually spend together as a family. Sooo....should we take DS down with us and have a day out of it. If so, what stuff is there that a toddler would enjoy. Or do we just send DH off to get it o his own.

depends on wether. THere is loads to do on the sea front, little fair rides, crazy golf etc. There is also a new aquarium just opened called blue reef i think. You couldnt spend the whole day in there but def pass an hour or so plus you'll stay dry if it rains. There is also an indoor play area called clambers which is just off the seafront which he'd love.

Well there is the furnicular railway up the cliff (one is closed, but other fine), a recently refurbished Sea life centre type place (if you go in there you get money off some other local attractions too), a fishing museum with a big boat that you can climb up into, the coast guard station is sometimes open and you can get in the life boats, probably too young for the Smugglers Caves experience, a small 'fairground' with carousels and a mini rollercoaster, a nice bracing walk along the beach looking at the fishing boats which have no harbour and have to be dragged in and out of the sea with tractors, a miniture train to ride on, the lovely (but not too pram friendly) old town, a fab fish and chip place called The Mermaid...

A few miles back out up the A21 is Bedgebury pinetum which is lovely or Bewl water near there too.

Have a lovely day!

Wow; its starting to sound really nice. I think an early start from London and a day by the seaside! Plus pick up fireplace. Any websites where I can find a little map where these places are?

Bump

this should help

the A21 to hastings should be about 1.5 to 2 hours dependinghwere you start from

it is quite a windy road

we were going to see this but as we are back in London we will miss it

Sunday 13 April - Boat Parade along Hastings seafront from Hastings Lifeboat Station to Bo Peep. 11am-4pm: Opportunity to see lifeboats old and new including the 'Queen Victoria' an oar and sail powered lifeboat, normally based in Bembridge, Hastings's old lifeboat 'The Fairlight'.

Why don't you go to Winchelsea Beach or Camber Sands (both gorgeous beaches) and spend the day and then pop to Hastings at the end of the day on the way back? Completely free (apart from parking at Camber, but that isn't too onerous) if you take a picnic.

Lovely suggestions. Was going to go April 20th as I thought this Sunday might be tough to drive through London due to the marathon but we are in South London so I'm probably being a bit daft. Might go this Sunday and catch that boat thingy. Beach might be nice if a bit non-summery. I have fond memories of a day at Camber Sands with an ex but I did get sun stroke so maybe my memory is a little hazy. Didn't realise it was nearby. Will check out all those links. Thank you

Hi Peasoup

Ideas For The Kids I think has links and maps to all these places, with info about prices and opening times, as well as links to the attractions' own websites. Also worth clicking on the "Near By" tab from any of the attraction pages.

Have fun

have you already been? All I can say is give the new aquarium a wide birth. It's seriously expensive and tiny - only took about 30 min whilst lingering. Then we went to cafe and they had no highchairs. And then we couldn't pay in the cafe as they didn't take plastic. DS (22 months) however loved walking along the seafront and seeing all the fishing boats, and the amusements etc.

Esc and Weegle-thanks. Am gonna go this Sunday. April 20th. Will avoid the aquarium. Hope for good weather!

Ok. We're setting off now; wish us luck!! Thanks for suggestions-have printed them out.