Hastings Rocks

LIMEY my second visit to Hastings in a year. Never been there before, but now I’m practically a local. Last time it was to cycle bits of the South Down Way but this time it was more of a quick ride to the pub kind of a trip. That being said and not wishing to tread on Pernickety’s size 10’s we did encounter some great places to eat, drink and enjoy the tropical weather.

First I must mention The Crown in All Saints St, Hastings. We clocked up two visits, one for their fantastic food and then the next day to have a bit of a trawl through their excellent wine list, while sitting outside in the sun. All Saints Street is pretty narrow so the guy who lives opposite has called his house Pub View - that is a bit of an understatement. While we were sitting there he opened his front, stable door and fed half a loaf of bread to a very friendly seagull that was the size of a London Bus and obviously dined there daily.

Next and definitely our favourite place, was the Goat Ledge on the front at St Leonards. Luckily we hit it at brunch time on a Monday but I guess on a music night or busy weekend the place gets mobbed. The cafe is a set of brightly overpainted shacks and beach huts all huddled together alongside eating booths and a small deck chair jetty. The food is mostly interesting fish and veg combinations in bread or baps that you can eat out of a paper bag plus delicious cakes and a really magnificent selection of hot and cold drinks, beer, wine and cocktails and even a bottle of bubbly if you’re feeling flush. I get the impression this place with its super friendly staff is a big hit with the locals, especially dog owners walking Fido on the front.

9HP

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Not quite so in your face but just as wacky is The Beacon at the top of Whistlers Steps. It looks like a normal large family house, which it is, as all the family who live there work in the place. It’s a converted old primary school. Inside there is a bar and a restaurant room and out in the garden are some sheds you can use for private gatherings, tables all over the lawn, a log shelter for the barbecue and the wing of the primary school where you can stay. The evening we were there it was barbecue night and there was a great live trio called Los Twangueros. Led by the excellent guitarist Andy Neate. This local band specialize in Balearic/Latin instrumentals, very soothing.

Finally we decided to go East and e bike over the hills to Fairlight and try out The Cove as highly recommended by Grace Dent. Unfortunately, we hit it on Pizza Tuesday but the pizza truck guys in the car park knew their stuff and we couldn’t leave as our mate Kev, who you might know better as the French clown Monsieur BonBon, had elected to swim the 4 miles to the pub along the coast (What!). Unfortunately he only managed half of that in the water after a slightly bizarre traffic accident with a large jellyfish but none the less still managed to arrive just before the pizza van closed. Pretty impressive Kev!

Incidentally Grace Dent’s review of The Cove sent so many people their way, in the first month of opening, that it nearly scuppered their business. I am hoping my enthusiasm for The Goat Ledge doesn’t send a tidal wave of Broad Sheep readers to St Leonards that sinks the whole show!