The quieter seasons bring out a different side of Hastings, when the beaches empty, the cliffs feel wilder and familiar walks become some of the best days out of the year.
There is a moment each year when Hastings seems to exhale.
The summer crowds begin to thin, the light turns softer over the Channel and the sea air gains that unmistakable chill that tells you to bring a proper coat. For those of us who live here, this is not the end of the season. In many ways, it is when some of the best parts of Hastings begin.
This is the time for long walks without a plan, coffee carried along the seafront and afternoons spent following paths through woods and over clifftops. Hastings is never short of drama, but in autumn and the quieter months, the town reveals a calmer and more personal side.
Alexandra Park in Its Autumn Colours
Alexandra Park is one of those places I can visit dozens of times and still notice something new.
It begins close to the centre of town, yet it does not take long before the traffic fades and the paths lead you beneath mature trees, beside ponds and through pockets of woodland. In autumn, the park becomes a patchwork of copper, red and gold, with fallen leaves gathering along the paths and that rich, earthy smell that belongs entirely to this time of year.
It is ideal when you want fresh air without turning the day into a full expedition. Families can wander at their own pace, dogs seem to have the time of their lives and there are plenty of quiet corners for anyone who simply wants to sit and watch the season changing.
I often think Alexandra Park is easy to take for granted because it is so close to home. Yet that is precisely what makes it special. It offers a small escape whenever you need one.
Wild Views at Hastings Country Park
For something more windswept, I head above the Old Town to Hastings Country Park.
The climb is rewarded with some of the most impressive views along this stretch of coast. On a clear day, the sea seems to fill half the world. On a grey and blustery afternoon, the landscape feels even more dramatic, with gulls circling above the cliffs and the wind pushing in from the Channel.
This is one of my favourite places to walk when I need to clear my head. The paths cross open countryside, woodland and cliff edges, with every bend offering a slightly different view of the coast.
The changing seasons also bring plenty of wildlife. Patient walkers may spot birds moving along the coastline, while the quieter paths make it easier to appreciate just how wild the edges of Hastings can feel.
Wear sensible shoes, bring an extra layer and do not rush it. This is a landscape best enjoyed slowly.
The Seafront Without the Summer Crowds
The beach does not stop being beautiful when summer ends. It simply changes character.
In the cooler months, the seafront belongs to walkers, runners, dog owners and those of us who enjoy standing near the water while pretending we are not cold. The promenade becomes quieter, the sound of the waves carries further and even a familiar stretch of beach can feel newly discovered.
I like to pick up a hot drink and walk without deciding exactly where I am going. Some days that means heading towards the pier. On others, I drift towards the fishing beach and the tall black net huts that give Hastings such a distinctive skyline.
There is something restorative about a cold coastal walk, particularly when you know a warm cafรฉ is never very far away.
Losing an Afternoon in the Old Town
The Old Town suits the quieter seasons perfectly.
Its narrow streets, historic buildings and independent shops feel especially inviting when the weather encourages a slower pace. It is the kind of place where you can set out for a short walk and somehow lose an entire afternoon.
Browse the shops, stop for lunch, look up at the buildings and take whichever turning catches your attention. Even after years of visiting the same streets, I still find details I had previously missed.
That is the real pleasure of Hastings at this time of year. There is no single attraction you must see and no strict itinerary to follow.
The season is found in the small things: leaves beneath your boots in Alexandra Park, birds moving above the cliffs, waves rolling onto a quieter beach and the glow from an Old Town cafรฉ as the afternoon begins to darken.
Hastings does not retreat when summer ends. It becomes wilder, quieter and, in many ways, even more itself.