Virtual tour panorama showing most of the ruins of Hastings Castle. Perched on top of the Cliff Rly, there are good views along the coast from the castle. It is a paid tourist attraction. Picture taken May 2011.

Hastings Castle - Hastings visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Hastings Castle' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from East Sussex.

Hastings Castle is one of the paid tourist attractions in Hastings. Prior to the Norman invasion of 1066 a Saxon castle stood on this site. After the Norman landing, William ordered a motte and bailey castle to be built here. He also ordered the building of castles at Pevensey and Dover.

After the Battle of Hastings (Actually at Battle some 8 miles north of Hastings), William ordered that Hastings Castle and St Mary's Chapel be rebuilt of stone. The current castle dates from that time. During 1287, after months of sever storms, part of the cliffs and Hastings Castle collapsed into the sea. Then, in both 1339 and 1377, French raiding parties attacked Hastings and burned many of the buildings and the castle.

Hastings Castle was inflicted further damage by Henry VIII during the abolition of the monasteries and then bombed during WWII. What is left for visitors today are the sad remains of the Norman Castle following these centuries of abuse.

Hastings Castle
Castle Hill Road
West Hill
HASTINGS
East Sussex
TN34 3AR

Bus: West Hill, Castle Hill Road (28, 29, 72, 347, 357), Hastings Town Centre, Albert Road (28, 29, 72, 347, 357, 358, 359)

Road: Hastings is on the A259 17 miles east of Eastbourne and 51 miles west of Dover. It is 61 miles southeast of London.

Rail: Hastings Railway Station.