Three Months in Albion: 13.08.12 - Conquering Hastings

12-13.08.12 - (Canterbury to Hastings, UK)

My last day in Canterbury is an agonizing slog. I check out of the hostel before 10am (required) and head into the town centre. I mainly sit by the computer, uploading photos from the previous day, but I also get to see the ruins of Canterbury Castle. The Castle was originally built as a wooden motte and bailey style castle to protect the route William the Conqueror took on his march through England to subdue the West Saxons, Kentish, and Mercians.

That castle, unfortunately, is not visible anymore, but this stone keep, built during the reign of Henry I, is. Interesting fact: the castle was once owned by the gas company and was used to store gas, during the utility's tenure in the castle, it's top floor was destroyed. This just shows you the sort of irreverence England is dealing with regarding its historical landmarks.

Hastings Castle sits atop West Hill in Hastings. It's one of few medieval sites that is still visible here. Most of the older sites have been destroyed due to weather and human development. In the process of excavating the cliff overlooking the sea to basically put a hotel in, Joseph Kay discovered pieces of the castle. William Herbert came along and helped continue the excavation. Unfortunately Herbert also destroyed parts of the wall of the castle as he was going. On top of that, long before the excavation, whole parts of the castle had sunk into the sea due to erosion of West Hill. Really, there seemed to be no respite for William's castle and church.

I take a detour and stop at West Hill for the view. I meet a couple who are in town for the afternoon to see the sights and move on. I'm starting to wonder whether Hastings really has much in the way of sights, other than the castle. There really isn't much here, but there have to be a few hidden gems. Here's some more history.

Below - St. Mary's Church: founded by Robert, Count of Eu, just after the Conquest. The castle was built to accommodate the church.

The ruins of St. Mary's Church

Hastings Castle: the pictures below are of the excavated castle walls and keep.

And what's a castle without... dungeons!

Actually these were not terribly exciting. Most of the walls have been scrawled all over by idiots.

I decide to do a little walking around and down to Hastings Pier (which is in total disarray). Then I head into Old Town, and up to East Hill via hillside rail.

Old Town

Atop Old Town

Outside the Fisherman's Museum

Fisherman's Museum

Taking the rail up to East Hill.

Nearly there...

High atop East Hill!

Looking down toward Hastings.

Later that evening I decide to go find a church-in-the-woods. Supposedly, this church was constructed in the 13th century, although from what I saw, it didn't quite look that old. It must have either been destroyed and rebuilt, or someone is pulling my leg.