Hastings Fishermen's Museum

About

The museum is housed in a former fishermen's church (dedicated to St Nicholas) which was built on the beach in 1854 to serve the local fishing community.  It operated as a church until the late 1930s but was turned into a museum in 1956, by the Old Hastings Preservation Society, as it had become derelict.

In the external area, the museum maintains one of the famous Grade ll* listed net shops next to the building. You can also find the 'Edward and Mary' which, in 1919, became the first locally-built fishing boat to be installed with an engine, and 'The Valiant', which was built in Newhaven in 1953 and worked from Hastings until 1999.  We have new additions to our boat family for 2026 such as ‘The Lady Molly’ and ‘Roebuck’. On the beach in front of the boats is an anchor dating from Napoleonic times. 

The highlight of the museum is being able to board a Hastings lugger 'Enterprise', built in 1912. The museum is packed with model boats, fishing gear, historic paintings and many  photographs bringing alive the history of the Hastings fishing industry. Finishing with a well stocked gift shop with gems, clothing and gifts made by local crafters such as pottery and glasswear.