- Find out what Hastings used to look like in its heyday in the 1900s - from donkey rides to beach athletics
- READ MORE: Spectacular winners from the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards revealed
Although it's now one of the UK's most iconic seaside towns, Hastings was once just a small fishing village.
It became globally famous due to its association with the 1066 Battle of Hastings, even though the famous showdown between William the Conqueror and Harold Godwinson was actually fought about seven miles down the road in Senlac Hill.
Despite that geographical inaccuracy, the town drew tourists in the early 1900s who travelled to Hastings in droves to enjoy holidays by the sea and admire its Norman Castle.
Like many British seaside towns, Hastings sadly suffered a fall in popularity in the 1980s and 90s when cheap package holidays abroad began to attract Brits overseas.
Nevertheless Hastings remains a popular daytrip destination for Londoners.
It's also home to one of Europe's last 'beach-launched fishing fleets' - a top tourist draw.
MailOnline Travel is now taking a walk down memory lane with this collection of fascinating, historic photos, depicting the seaside town's glory days.
Scroll down for a stroll back into Hastings' heyday - from donkey rides to a Marilyn Monroe lookalike competition...
Read more