St Leonards on Sea seems to be a mecca for cool shops and places to eat. If you can tear yourself away from the beach and the beachfront cafés, as well as the quirky architecture, there’s a town centre that is colourful, slightly bohemian and full of style.
The Arts
If it’s art and culture you’re after, Norman Road is a good place to start. There are several galleries here, particularly at the west end, including Project 78, the Stella Dore Gallery, the Lucy Bell Gallery and Fleet Gallery.
But there are also antique shops, vintage furniture and homewares, vintage clothing and there are more art galleries tucked around the town. Although if you’re still in need of more art, you can always head into Hastings to the Hastings Contemporary and the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, or visit the Hastings Art Forum at Marine Court.
There is also the Kino Teatr in St Leonards, an independent cinema, arts centre, music venue and restaurant. A purpose-built cinema first opened here in 1913, eventually becoming the Curzon Cinema and closing in 1977. It’s now been restored by the Baker Mamonova Gallery, owned and run by Russell Baker and Olga Mamonova whose work is known internationally. It’s well worth checking out their programme.
At the other end of Norman Street is The Piper, a grassroots music venue and pub that opened in 2019. And don’t let your love of music and art end there, because there are a couple of good vinyl record shops here too. And weaved throughout the streets is lots of street art and murals, as well as the odd sculpture.
Food, glorious food
If you like hanging out in cool cafés and fabulous foodie venues then you’re going to love St Leonards. A good starting point is Heist, an indoor street food market with different outlets and a really great warehouse feel vibe.
If you love seafood, head to Boat Yard. They get their fish straight from the Hastings fishing fleet and they have such delights as Bloody Mary oysters and grilled shell on crevettes.
Or make your way up to Kings Road where there are lots more cafés and restaurants. Farmyard specialise in local produce and natural wines, but there is plenty of other choice and lots of the restaurants are big on local and or organic ingredients. Or for a seaside vibe, head back down to the cafés on the seafront.
Seaside living
Talking of the seaside, St Leonards beach is a mixture of shingle and sand and when the tide is out, it’s a vast expanse that has the benefit of plenty of amenities nearby. It’s also known as the Marina.
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