Hastings Castle crowns the West Hill of this East Sussex coastal town, dominating views from the clifftops above the historic old town. Built in 1067 by William of Normandy as one of three post-conquest strongholds, this motte-and-bailey fortress was initially constructed in wood before being rebuilt in stone following the Battle of Hastings. The castle's south wall and keep were famously lost to the sea in 1287 when violent storms caused the cliff beneath to collapse, though substantial ruins remain visible from the clifftop. Accessible by the West Hill Cliff Railway or scenic walking routes, the site offers dramatic views and a tangible connection to 1066 and Norman England's pivotal moment.
