Train travel is incredibly efficient in Europe, but there is a bit of a learning curve to it. Today is relatively easy though. My travel advisor, which happens to be me, booked the train tickets ahead of time. At the station, we need to print our tickets. There is an information desk that we find first so I ask the gentleman where I can print the tickets. Our conversation could have honestly been a comedy sketch. We’re both speaking English, but having a difficult time understanding each other. I ask him where I can print my tickets. He exclaims that you can’t print the tickets at the station. I stare at him for a second then pull out my phone and read word-for-word what my documents says. He then says, “Oh you want to print your tickets! Go to the partition.” I’m still caught on how I could have been clearer the first time with asking. Then, I’m thinking WTH does he mean by partition. He points in a general direction and we start walking. The partition is this garden-type wall and the machines are located on the other side of it. We get to the machine and insert the card used to purchase the tickets and then enter the confirmation code. Out comes our tickets. Easy enough! The tickets are for a certain train and are for travel between London Victoria and Hastings. We look at the boards, but don’t see Hastings listed anywhere. I ask an employee which luckily there are plenty around, and he explains that the Hastings trains ends in Ore so we need to find the one that says Ore. I then find a time that matches our tickets that says Ore. This is it! The board says to wait because the train isn’t ready yet. We wait in the main part of the train station until it changes. Then, a platform is listed and we head over to the proper platform. A train is there and we hop onto it. No where at the train does it state which train it is or where it is going which I find odd. We ask a couple on the train and they tell use they are also going to Hastings. Awesome, we’re on the right one! They then explain to us that the train will eventually split into two trains so we need to make sure we’re in the right half that goes to Hastings. We say thank you and I wonder how are you supposed to know all this?
The train is relatively empty and comfortable. There is a shelf to load large bags so we place our suitcases there. There is also room under the seats where I slide the stroller and also space overheard. There are six seats with three and three that face each other and we claim our spots. The train leaves exactly on time and we’re on our way! It’s about two-hours to Hastings and it’s peaceful. We see the beautiful countryside for most of the ride and then pass beaches and the seaside as we near closer.
Despite the lack of communication at the train, there is a lot of communication on-board. Someone comes around to check tickets so that’s reassuring that we are on the right train, but they did check after we had already left. There are several announcements telling everyone the stops we’ll go and when we’re there. There are also several announcements about the train splitting in two. The lady also comes around before the train splits to ensure that all passengers are on the right half of the train.
I don’t know much about Hastings. We’re here for my cousin’s wedding and staying at the bed and breakfast where the wedding will take place. We arrive to Hastings and now need to figure out where to go. I already know that it’s too far to walk with luggage, but I’m not sure the best way to get there. We start by going to the taxi line and a disgruntled taxi driver tells us we’ll need two taxis. I’m pretty sure we can fit in one, but I’m not about to argue with him. The majority of people coming from the train station are getting on buses. I use Google Maps and discover that bus 20 will take us right to our bed and breakfast. I’m not sure where to buy tickets, but we ask and find out you can buy it right from the bus driver. The bus comes relatively soon and we load on. I buy tickets and then the driver asks, “singles.” I don’t know what he means, but I say yes anyway and we’re on our way. I find out single means a one-way ticket versus a roundtrip ticket so it turns out that is what I wanted! It’s about a 15-minute bus ride and the bus drops us off directly in front of the bed and breakfast! We made it!
The bed and breakfast is called the Old Rectory and despite being early, our room is ready! The accommodations are super nice and we have a two-bedroom two-bathroom setup for the four of us. One bathroom is large with an old clawed bathtub and the other is much smaller with a shower. Colton loves the place and so do I! We’re here for three nights and each morning we have an immaculate breakfast. The first two-nights are only guests here for the wedding so essentially only family and soon-to-be-family. The dining room is setup in one large table and tea, coffee, fresh apple juice, and orange juice are on the table for everyone to share. There is also toast in toast racks. We each have a menu and can order an appetizer and entree. Everything is fresh and amazing!
Hastings is a seaside town and we spend the day after the wedding exploring. We start by taking the East Tram up the hillside. Hastings Country Park Nature Reservation is at the top and we walk through the park taking in the natural beauty. You can see the water from here and nice green rolling hills in the distance.
We head back down and make our way to the miniature steam train. We hop on this small train and it takes us across town. We hop off at the other side and then find some fish and chips. I don’t normally eat seafood, but what I’ve learned is that it’s usually best to east what the locals eat. You may not like whatever the dish is at home, but if it’s popular at your destination, it’s probably much better than what you’re used to. That was definitely the case here! It was the best fish and chips I’ve ever had. Fish n Chips and Cider….this is what the locals eat here.
There is a second tram on this side of town that goes to Hastings Castle. We explore this area and I learn a little about British History. 1066 is when the battle of Hastings happened and it happened here. The top of this tram brings us by a residential area as well and we find a playground. We stop here and my son enjoys playing with the other children here. He becomes friends with this girl and I end up chatting with her dad. He’s French and originally is from Normandy which is a 4-hour ferry ride from this part of England.
We head back down and begin our journey back to Old Rectory. The sun is beginning to set so we stop by the beach to enjoy some wonderful views and then eat at a local restaurant for dinner. Duck is on the menu and being so close to France I think it’s probably good. It didn’t disappoint!
We loved our time in Hastings and would definitely love to come back here! It’s not a well-known destination to us in the US, but it’s an up and coming little town that many British and French escape to in the summer.
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