Situated high above the East Sussex coast, Shear Barn offers no-fuss camping and easy access to beaches, historic Hastings Old Town and wonderful walks through the Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve.
This campsite has everything you need for a comfortable stay, with clean, modern shower blocks, level pitches and plenty of space. It's family-friendly with a children's play park, laundrette and a small shop selling essentials in the Reception area. Guests are also welcome to use the facilities onsite, which has an indoor swimming pool and a well-appointed bar that serves reasonably-priced food all day and boasts spectacular views over the rolling countryside down to the English Channel.
A 25 minute stroll from the park (via the funicular railway) lies picturesque Hastings Old Town, which thanks to its arty community has no shortage of cafes, restaurants and independent shops selling everything from antiques to artisan bread. On the seafront you'll find The Stade where the tall black net huts of the town's still-working fishing fleet stand proudly alongside the Jerwood Gallery of modern art. The park gives direct access to cycle paths and walks through the Hastings Country Park which can take you down to the coast and the town through woodland and rolling countryside.
This stretch of the East Sussex coast runs for miles offering a mix of sand, shingle and pebble beaches. Camber Sands is a classic bucket 'n' spade sandy beach, bordered by dunes and popular with the kite surfing fraternity. Winchelsea is much quieter thanks to the shingle beach at high tide. But, with the iconic groynes framing the landscape, is just as picturesque. Fairlight Glen Beach is a lovely secluded spot lying beneath the Hastings Country Park with shingle, low-tide sand and rounded rocks to explore.
This is, of course, 1066 country and there's heaps of history to be discovered. England's most famous battle didn't actually take place in Hastings at all but 6 miles away in what is now the town of Battle. William the Conquerer erected the magnificent Battle Abbey on the spot where King Harold fell and though the original church was destroyed like so many others during Henry VIII's reign, the ruins can still be explored. The battlefield visitors centre gives you a great opportunity to learn more about this iconic site and to soak up the atmosphere it recreates.
Hastings Old Town lies a 25 minute walk away. You'll find plenty of independent shops, plus the Jerwood Gallery (01424 425809) of modern art and the award-winning Shipwreck Museum (01424 437452). Blue Reef Aquarium (0844 5499088) offers visitors an underwater safari with turtles, sharks, rays and octopuses. Soak up the history of the famous 1066 Battle of Hastings by visiting the English Heritage-run Abbey and Battlefield (01424 775705) where audio tours and CGI film bring this brutal battle back to life. Bodiam Castle (01580 830196) is a fairytale fortress with spiral staircases and imposing battlements to explore. The popular sandy beach of Camber Sands is favoured by bathers and kite surfers alike. The Kitesurf Centre (0756 3763046) offers lessons for all skills and ages.
The Retreat bar, coffee shop and restaurant is a 5 minute walk away in Shearbarn Park and offers a wide selection of food and drink, a soft play area and views over the surrounding countryside. There's no shortage of mouthwatering places to eat in Hastings Old Town. Two Bulls Steakhouse (01424 640258) serves top-notch aged steak cooked over a charcoal barbecue. Maggie's (01424 430 205) is the place to go for the best fish and chip supper. Soul Food (01424 446946) serves delicious reasonably-priced Caribbean food – and it's BYO booze! The Little Larder (01424 424364) is a cafe serving decent coffee, tasty food and even gluten-free pastries. There are plenty more independent eateries amongst these historic streets so it's always worth having an evening stroll to see if you stumble upon a hidden gem.