Can someone tell me how far Hastings is from London and what is the best and cheapest way to get there? Has anyone been to Judges Bakery? What can you tell me about it?

Are there inexpensive accommodations?

Thanks,

Conner

Hastings is about 60+ miles from London - the train is the easiest way to do it (about 1h 45mins - £22 cheap day return) - we used to visit friends who lived just outside and it was an OK drive, but not that straightforward.

The historic part of town near the beach is interesting (the old fishing sheds etc., are very picturesque) and there is a charming park, but Hastings has suffered over recent years by becoming a London overspill town - there are some decidely unpicturesque estates and many of the guest houses and hotels were used by the local authority for temporary homeless (welfare)housing. The area has been undergoing a bit of a fashionable regeneration, as have many of these faded seaside towns , but I would still apply caution when looking at the cheaper end of the accomodation market.

I haven't been to the bakery you mention - what is the particular interest, if I may ask?

I used www.mappy.com to check the distance/driving time, and Hastings is a little less than 2 hours from London by car. (Of course, it will depend on where in London you start.)

I also looked at the www.nationalrail.co.uk. Trains to Hastings leave from Charing Cross Station and Victoria Station, and the trip to Hastings takes between 1-1/2 hours and 2 hours (no changes). A ticket for a morning train a month from now was 22.70 pounds.

If I was looking for lower-cost accommodations in England, I'd start on the www.smoothhound.co.ukwebsite. I'd look for a simple B&B or guesthouse. See their listings for Hastings here.

I've only driven through Hastings (spent a few days in Rye, not far away), so hopefully someone who's been there can offer other input.

Kathy