Image Marybeth Haas

Vote Hastings for Ramblers’ prize

Help Hastings Old Town walk off with Ramblers’ prize. Hastings Old Town is in the running (walking?!) to win the very first Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood Award, launched by the Ramblers on Monday 26 February. It is one of ten areas to make it to the final public vote in the new award, which celebrates the places that put urban walkers first.

Anthony Slack, long-time Hastings Old Town resident, nominated his neighbourhood for the award. He said: “Whether it’s simply to visit local shops and restaurants, to go to the doctors’ surgery or to the local cinema or theatre, or just to admire our historic buildings, walking is usually the best way to do it in Hastings Old Town. The well-maintained green spaces, the sea views and pleasant places to stop and socialise, all combine to make Hastings Old Town a fantastic walkable community.”

Cllr Kim Forward, deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council and lead member for marketing said: “I am delighted that the Old Town has been shortlisted for this award.

“The streets of the Old Town really were made for walking. Developed long before the invention of the car, there are few parking spaces, meaning people are more likely to choose walking as the quickest and easiest way of getting around.

“The quaint streets are crisscrossed by narrow “twittens” that today form charming pedestrian routes between the streets. Many of the roads have light traffic flows and, indeed, some are pedestrianised, so are excellent for walking along.

“We’ve got plenty of other great walks in and around Hastings too, including our award winning Alexandra Park, our three mile long seafront, the green spaces of Hastings Country Park with its stunning clifftop views, and the West Hill and East Hill.

People can vote for Hastings Old Town by visiting: Ramblers: Vote Hastings.

Image Marybeth Haas

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