I don’t really write reviews but I thought I’d leave one for this museum as I whizzed around really quickly. It exceeded my expectations, especially for a small town museum. Full of a huge range of things across a timeline of almost 1000 years. I was so impressed by its diversity. I’m a history student and it was cool to see unrelated things that I’d studied in completely different modules connected in this museum through Hastings’ story. And not just history either, the art was lovely to look at too, and visually the whole place had a playful, nostalgic seaside feel which was really nice. I think whoever designed the place managed to bring out Hasting’s unique character. :) I should add that the museum is wheelchair accessible which is great, but walking there is an uphill journey which is a bit tough.

What a little gem!! I hadn't heard of this and have been visiting Hastings for over 10 years. I went with my husband, 3 children and extended family and there was something for all ages in every room. I will most definitely head back there again. They just need a cafe and it would be perfect. Xx

A fantastic free admission venue steeped in fascinating history and exhibits. The Durbar Room is simply amazing, a room transferred piece by piece from India and reconstructed here within the Museum and Art Gallery. An amazing venue for weddings and special events all encased within a very picturesque building contained within well kept grounds. Great selection of merchandise and wonderfully professional and friendly staff. A real architectural gem combining traditional and modern structures into one building. We'll worth a visit.

A treasure trove of surprises! We absolutely loved it

An amazing collection of artifacts displayed in a beautiful old building in a quiet area ( approximately 15 upwards from Hastings train station ) and near open spaces and gardens. If you want to learn a lot about Hasting's history this is a MUST. The exhibitions/displays - ( a few interactive ones, not aimed at younger children, but that shouldn't be a deterrent ), retell the history from neolithic times onwards. Find out who was Grey owl, the exploring family who travelled extensively in the 1800's to 1900, enter and see the beautiful ornate carved wood panelled room and much, much more. The staff are extremely welcoming and friendly. There are available toilets, disabled friendly lifts, a gift shop, but no refreshment facilities. However, outside are some bench tables where you could sit and enjoy a packed lunch. Due to present world issues it is essential you BOOK ONLINE to visit. It is FREE and you are able to choose an available date and time depending upon demand. You will be given an hours visiting slot, but l went over this which wasn't an issue. Now start your adventure and book a visit if you really want to learn about Hastings history.

Lovely museum very interesting. Great exhibits. Free!

Great amount of items from every period in history on display. Loved the Grey Owl story with a mock up of his log cabin and many personal items of his to see. Some stairs but there are lifts to all levels. Great art exhibition also. Worth a visit

It has a lot of artefacts on display and rich history to tell. Staff were friendly, self toured, and a great place to take the kids. It's not really wheelchair accessible as there's quite a number of stairs to climb and descend when going around the whole place. Mythomania was on display, and I saw one that looked like optimus prime. Loved it.

This free museum has an elected mix of exhibits about the seaside town of Hastings.

I went with my 2 year old to the Hastings Museum recently. I was really impressed how they had set up in each room toys, books and interactive activities suitable for young children. I'll definitely be revisiting.

The brick-by-brick exhibition was the main reason we went there but the place's charm made us to stay and enjoy what the Museum had to offer. One can marvel at the architectural style of the building, then enjoy a tad bit of local history, and a small but dazzling collection of paintings. Even though it's commission free the 3£ donation well worth to price to pay or you can just buy one of the nicest postcards and books.

Lovely regional museum with fun local history to discover. A bit old-fashioned in its displays but in a way that's a good thing. We have been a few times with family and friends, and always enjoyed our visit.

A lovely local museum full of amazing historical items and images

A fantastic place, just so much to see. And better yet, it's free. 😊

We come here at least once a month. Our 5 year old now always loved this museum and we hope the love with stay with her forever. There's a few places for kids imagination to run wild and I think that's what captured her the most and us too.

Hastings Museum is a great place to take children of any age, my granddaughter is only just 3 and she enjoys an afternoon there. The rooms of local history is displayed well. She likes the animals section and an area upstairs full of pottery, only because there is a table laid out with a little tea service ready for the "Tiger that came to tea". I like the section dedicated to local man known as "Gray Owl". The exhibition room changes frequently, I like to see the new exhibition items. It's a free museum, so go and there is a nice little shop, nice greetings cards.

What an amazing place filled with out of the ordinary things to see and do for all the family. Friendly staff welcome you into another world and as you walk around enjoying the various seasonal exhibitions on show. The very building itself is alive with curves, beautiful stone work and the most remarkable carved wood I've seen anywhere. I've lived a few roads away from the museum for years and just never ventured inside until recently to see an art installation and performance by Orryelle and Melissa and I've been back a few times already and enjoy every bit of it.

Absolutely beautiful building with fantastic exhibits. Would highly recommend a visit.

The design of this museum is great. Lots of space. Child friendly. Wonderfully interesting contents. Great for adults too. My only criticism would be that the notes next to the exhibits is too small. Which was frustrating for me. Maybe though there is a guide. I will definitely revisit. Photos taken by my 4 1/2 year old grand daughter. Thankyou Hastings Musuem.

Amazing place to visit. Suitable for children as well. Very specious and lots to see and read . Free parking. Good size parking area. Good toilets. Free entry.

Some interesting information about historic Hastings. Free entry, will keep the kids amused, mine's 33 but he really enjoyed it!!

For a free museum it contains an impressive collection, albeit one that veers from one topic to another with not much connective tissue. The information on the collection does need updated and a broader explanation of the pieces would provide a more involved experience but this, I'm guessing, belies the origins of the museum as a collection donated from an insanely wealthy family whose mother sailed the world with the family, collecting pieces wherever they landed. As such, some elements are only a few pieces with little more than a short card saying what it is and where it's from, whereas other elements have more of a narrative to them about what the pieces were used for, why they were used, etc. I think the staff have done a decent job fleshing out what they have and tying in some local history and artifacts too. Very glad I went in and recommend it if you're in the area.

Excellent small museum with plenty of interesting exhibits exploring many facets of the town's history. I was particularly struck by the impressive Durbar Hall, part of an Indian palace built for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition of 1886 and transferred to its present location in the Museum in the early 1930s. The small shop is also a winner with many inexpensive but quality items suitable for gifts. I have sourced many children's gifts and greetings cards there. Highly recommended.

An interesting small museum with interesting information on local history. Various artifacts and pictures. Small gift shop attached. A little of the beaten track, but there is a bus that goes from the Stade in the Old town to Bohemia Street where it is located.

We planned two days in Hastings by the seaside, first day was sunny, second day we went to the museum cause the weather betrayed us. The museum was a real nice surprise, after a short walk from the beaches we left astonished by the assortment of artefact in it: from the paleolithic to the pop culture with some real gems. I loved the photographic exposition and the disposition to have a complete view with a single passage in each rooms. Extra plus that this museum is free. Super suggested.

Smaller museums are often a joy and have loads of local history and information about people and places in the area. Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is no exception and is well worth a visit, if you're in the area. I was really impressed by the exhibition of contemporary photography and the paintings, the more modern women artists especially.. Good displays on social history, holidays at the seaside and plenty of background on local archaeology. There's a lot to see, so take you time. Children will like it! They are well catered for. Worth a visit!

A cracking regional museum composed of culturally relevant artifacts plus legacy gifts from private collections of local historic luminaries. Not just for a rainy afternoon.

Nice little town museum and art gallery with arrays of local artefacts. There are interactive displays and fun activities for kids as well. Definitely a must visit!

Nice little museum with lots of hands-on exhibits, local history and art. I really enjoyed wandering around and learning all about Hastings and surrounding areas, with so many interesting artifacts. There's also a small art gallery and some natural history. Really well curated, though I did get a bit lost upstairs as the rooms weren't well marked.

Well worth a visit. Really cool mix of objects.

Fantastic array of information and finds on Hastings from prehistoric times onwards. A wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Interesting displays, well paced and informative. But I'm not sure about its purpose, certainly not a history of Hastings, it was, but so sketchy. There is so much else to know! But as a display of local artifacts it did well. The Art Gallery seems to be just a collection of local landscapes. Very interesting exhibition about the Brassey family. Well worth a visit - and free. Don't be put off by the quoted "booking" on a Thursday in November I was able to simply sign in.