Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival 14 & 15 Sept 2013

The Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival, is a celebration of Hastings’ fishing heritage, its surrounding vineyards and excellent local food producers.

Attracting thousands of food lovers to taste succulent dishes from over 30 food stalls – where local chefs conjure up a colourful array of flavours – the Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival runs from 11am on the Saturday 14th to 7pm on the Sunday 15th September.

Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival festivities take place in the atmospheric Old Town in the heart of the picturesque fishing and cultural quarter known as The Stade with its historic fishing-net shops, and which is home to Europe’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet.

The Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival’s now permanent home on the Stade also boasts the Jerwood Gallery, a prestigious collection of 20th & 21st century British art.

Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival – Exploring the Old Town

Built on 1,000 years of fishing and seafaring history, Hastings Old Town has a character all of its own. Becoming a Cinque Port in the 11th century awarded the townsfolk special rights of independence in return for supplying the crown with ships and crew to defend the English Channel. This independent character and close working relationship with the sea lives on today.

To see for yourself just what makes this place special, take a little time to stroll through the town’s narrow streets or watch the fishermen at work on The Stade beach. For spectacular views you can climb the steps, or catch a lift on the cliff railways, to the East Hill, West Hill, Hastings Country Park and the first Norman castle in England.

Hastings Old Town’s narrow streets and passages (known as ‘twittens’) are home to all sorts of traditional traders, speciality shops and eateries. Just the place to find an unusual gift, precious antique or local delicacy.

The attractive mix of medieval, regency and Victorian buildings, three landmark churches and numerous historic pubs have retained the atmosphere of a traditional town centre. You may recognise some of the streets and buildings from ‘Foyles War’, filmed here.

Back at the festival you can wander through the tents and marquees trying locally landed fish and wine from the award-winning vineyards around Hastings. Sussex and Kent are the two top wine producing areas in the country and here you’ll find some of the best in the area.
 
Enjoy a Jazz Breakfast with a relaxed coffee and a croissant on the Sunday morning, musical entertainment from the cream of the local music scene throughout the day and walks and talks on the 1,000 year history of the Hastings’ fishing fleet – with local fishermen doing net-making demonstrations.  

There really is something for everyone at the Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival, which has fast become an established and eagerly anticipated event in the Hastings’ calendar.
 
Among some of the other foodie delights of Hastings, Craig Sams and Jo Fairley (Green & Black founders) are at Judges Bakery, the legendary Maggie’s fish and chips can be found on the beach and Alastair Hendy has recently opened his homeware shop and restaurant in the High Street.