Hastings Castle sits on the West Hill in a ruinous but atmospheric state, its surviving walls perched on the edge of the sandstone cliffs above the town. What remains — the gatehouse, some towers, and lengths of curtain wall — gives enough of the layout to read as a castle, and the views along the coast from the cliff edge are excellent.
The castle was originally built by William the Conqueror shortly after the 1066 landing and developed into a significant Norman fortification over the following century. The West Hill Cliff Railway provides the easiest ascent from the seafront, or there are steep paths up from the Old Town. An audio guide to the ruins is available on site.