Escaping the Everyday: A Coastal Break with Friends in Hastings, Sussex
Spending time with friends, especially when we can disconnect from the distractions of home and work, is undoubtedly a precious experience. For a recent getaway, nine midlifers decided to escape the hustle and bustle of daily responsibilities and reconnect over a cozy coastal retreat in Hastings, East Sussex. This decision marks a refreshing shift, allowing us to indulge in friendship without the usual chaos of family life.
The Art of Organization
As a parent of two primary-school-aged children, my organizational skills have reached a level of finesse, thanks to the years spent juggling nursery drops, school trips, and extracurricular activities. However, planning a minibreak for a large group felt like a daunting task. With friends scattered across London, Dorset, Oxfordshire and south Wales, locking in the ideal location, accommodation, and budget proved challenging. After a bit of search, the solution came from Kip Hideaways, a service that specializes in unique self-catering properties situated throughout the UK, including the charming coastlines of Sussex.
Discovering the Perfect Retreat
Kip Hideaways has gained popularity for offering “properties with soul,” particularly catering to the growing demand for group bookings post-pandemic. Not only do they accommodate families, but they also provide ideal setups for friends looking to celebrate life’s milestones or simply enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed environment. The trend reflects a broader desire to forge connections in an age dominated by screens and digital interactions.
Once we settled on St Clements, a beautifully converted church building nestled within Hastings’ Old Town, our excitement grew. We arranged a supermarket delivery to stock our kitchen, ensuring our phone screens took a backseat, allowing for genuine conversations, meals, and laughter throughout the weekend.
An Effortless Arrival and Exploration
The staggering joy of our trip began as many of us arrived by train, setting in motion a memorable adventure. The short, invigorating walk to West Hill allowed us to appreciate Hastings’ history, including the remnants of a Norman castle dating back to 1066. From this elevated vantage point, we were treated to stunning views of the cobalt-blue Channel, a perfect greeting to our coastal escape.
Hastings’ Old Town is a fascinating labyrinth of narrow passageways, known locally as "twittens," and a blend of historic houses. The area boasts beautifully curved Regency windows and pastel-painted cottages, all with their own unique character. Our home for the weekend stood out: St Clements, with its spacious dining area perfect for meals and laughter shared among friends.
A Feast for the Senses
The locality itself was a revelation. Within a stone’s throw of our accommodation, a plethora of vibrant pubs, quaint bars, and delightful restaurants awaited. We opted for sundowners at the Old Pawn Shop, an inviting bar with a trattoria-style ambiance created by owner Shaun Clarkson. The cozy setting was perfect for our group to unwind and situate ourselves into the ease of the weekend.
Returning from our outing, we transformed the large dining table into a communal feast, enjoying a potluck-style dinner. The ease of sharing food, drinks, and stories made for a relaxed atmosphere that kept us spilling into deep conversation late into the night.
Embracing Nature and Local Culture
With late spring weather in our favour, we eagerly embarked on our planned activities. Our first adventure was swimming off the pebble beach, supported by assurance from the Surfers Against Sewage mapping resources. We quickly dried off and made our way to the Fishermen’s Museum, a uniquely quirky establishment. Its odd yet endearing exhibits coupled with the charm of the former Fishermen’s Church made it a must-see.
After a hearty meal of takeaway fish and chips from Rock A Nore Kitchen, we hired vibrant yellow bikes from Hastings Cycles. The flat, traffic-free path along the seafront allowed our group to leisurely enjoy the coastal sights until we stopped at Goat Ledge for a drink, eventually turning back to reminisce about the day’s activities.
Wellness and Renewal
Sunday dawned earlier than we would have liked, but our plans of relaxation continued with a group session at Samphire Sauna located on Hastings Pier. The converted horse boxes provided an intimate space to relinquish the stress accumulated during our busy lives. A session of sweating out toxins and rehydrating with cooling refreshments rounded off our time perfectly, allowing us to reconnect with both our bodies and one another.
A Simple Yet Meaningful Escape
The beauty of our coastal break in Hastings lay in its simplicity — uncomplicated, yet filled with memories that would last well beyond the weekend. Each moment reaffirmed the necessity of real human connections, offering us all the chance to step away from our screens, escape the everyday, and indulge in the joy of simply being together once more.