The best school trip in Hastings
Smugglers Adventure, Hastings Castle and the 1066 Story represent a fantastic opportunity for learners of all ages to tap into the extraordinary heritage that Hastings has to offer. Uniquely placed in the heart of the largest beach-launched fishing community in the UK, our trio of attractions deliver an immersive school trip for children of all key stages.
Whether you’re a teacher, group leader, or independent children’s event organiser, this page covers everything you need to plan a school trip to Hastings Castle, Smugglers Adventure, and the 1066 Story – from pricing and accessibility information to steps on how to make group bookings for schools and other organisations.
Should you further information and assistance, please contact our friendly team on 01424 718776. Alternatively, you can use our online booking form found further down this page.
Why choose a school trip to Hastings?
Few UK place names bear the same weight of curiosity and intrigue as Hastings. From 1066 to the present day, this English coastal town has played a pivotal role in the formation of modern Britain, making it an invaluable, must-visit destination for school groups from the UK and beyond.
From the ramparts of the town’s famous castle to the immersive story of 1066; Hastings is perhaps best known for its precious antiquities and role in one of England’s most formative battles – a story which continues to capture the imagination of school children of all ages.
But you’ll quickly realise that there’s a lot more to discover here than just ancient history – from the town’s scandalous smuggling past to its legacy as one of southeast England’s most celebrated maritime ports. That’s what makes Hastings school trips so dynamic and engaging, and suitable for classes at all key stages.
Plus, it isn’t just English-speaking students that can benefit from an educational school trip to Hastings. All of our attractions feature audio guides in French and German too, giving international students the opportunity to learn more about the town’s role in the development of modern Britain.
How to book your school trip to Hastings Castle and Smugglers Adventure
Planning an educational school trip to Hastings Castle and Smugglers Adventure couldn’t be easier. Simply fill in our form with a few details about your trip, including the name of your school, the number of students, and the preferred date and time of your visit, and our friendly team will get back to you with a full quote based on your requirements.
Alternatively, you can call our reservation specialists directly on 01424 718766 who will be happy to discuss your needs over the phone.
Please note that there is a 15 paying person minimum for school trip group bookings.
Tap here to complete our school trip booking form.
Pricing
We understand that planning school trips begins with budgeting. That’s why we’ve provided a complete breakdown of our pricing below on a per-head basis, so you can start planning your visit and getting an idea of the overall cost.
Don’t forget, too, that we offer a combined per-head rate for both Hastings Castle and Smugglers Adventure, as well as free places for teachers and group leaders. Full details about our free teacher places, including the ratios that apply, can be found below
| Smugglers Adventure Only | £7.50 per head |
| Hastings Castle Only | £5.00 per head |
| Combi Ticket – Smugglers Adventure & Hastings Castle | £11.00 per head |
| Combi Ticket – Smugglers Adventure & Hastings Aquarium | £13.75 per head |
| Combi Ticket – Smugglers Adventure & Hastings Aquarium & Hastings Castle | £16.25 per head |
| Teachers / Leaders | Free – Subject to student / leader ratio) |
Important Details
Opening times
Please find our full opening hours for both Smugglers Adventure and Hastings Castle below. Remember, too, that it is possible to take advantage of a free familiarisation visit ahead of your official school visit date.
| Smugglers Adventure | 10:00 – 17:00 Daily (Last entry 16:15) |
| Hastings Castle | – Weekends only until May 1st – 11:00 – 16:00 (Last entry 15:30) – As of May 1st, open daily – 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30) |
Getting here and parking
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Given that most school trips to Hastings will be travelling by coach, the information provided here pertains to arriving at our site by road. However, if you plan to use public transport or are visiting us from across the Channel, full details can be found on our Find Us page.
For those arriving from the Channel Ports, Channel Tunnel, or from the direction of Brighton, the A259 is the best way to get to Hastings. Alternatively, for those coming from London and the north on the M25, the A21 at junction 5 is the exit you’re looking for.
Of course, offloading students safely and finding suitable coach parking can be tricky when planning school trips. Happily, we have the solution.
We ask school trips arriving by coach to drop students near the entrance to Smugglers Adventure on Priory Road, before parking coaches at the allocated coach park on Falaise Road. The postcode for the Falaise Road coach park is TN34 1EU.
Risk Assessment
Carrying out a comprehensive risk assessment is pivotal to the smooth running of a school trip. So, to help make this important yet laborious administration as easy as possible, please download our full risk assessment planner from our School & Group Visitor Resources hub.
Accessibility
Given that our attractions are both natural and historical in nature, we cannot guarantee accessibility for all guests.
There are a total of 40 steps at the entrance to Smugglers Adventure and due to the attraction being set in a natural cave, slippery surfaces, uneven floors, and low ceilings are unavoidable.
Please visit our accessibility page for more information.
FAQs
Can I amend my school trip booking with Smugglers Adventure?
Yes, but amendments cannot be made within 48 hours of the visit. We do not offer refunds post-payment.
Is there a minimum number of people to book a school trip?
Yes, school trip bookings to Smugglers Adventure and Hastings Castle must be made for a minimum of 15 paying people.
What do I need to bring?
Nothing in particular! However, we recommend that teachers encourage their students to wear sturdy footwear during their visit. Don’t forget, too, that a range of resources are free to download and use on our School & Group Visitor Resources hub.
Can I do a pre-visit before the school trip?
Yes, we offer free pre-visit familiarisation sessions to teachers and group leaders.
Do you provide lockers?
No, we do not provide lockers.
Are there dining facilities at Smugglers Adventure?
No, there are no dining facilities at Smugglers Adventure or Hastings Castle.
Is Smugglers Adventure cashless?
No, but Hastings Castle is cashless – something to bear in mind!
Booking form
