5 Best Sights in The Southeast, England

Situated six miles northwest of Hastings, this great Benedictine abbey was erected by William the Conqueror on the site of the Battle of Hastings—one of the most decisive turning points in English history and the last time the country was successfully invaded. All of this meant little to Henry VIII, of course, who didn't spare the building from his violent dissolution of the monasteries. Today the abbey is just a ruin, but a very pretty one.

Start at the visitor center to get the full story through a series of films and interactive exhibits before taking a walk around the abbey site, including up to the first floor. A memorial stone marks the high altar, which in turn was supposedly laid on the spot where Harold II, the last Saxon king, was killed.

You can also follow a trail around the 1066 battlefield, lined with a series of intricately carved wooden sculptures of Norman and Saxon soldiers, or climb the gatehouse for an exhibiton on the site's post-invasion history as well as spectacular rooftop views of the town. For a potted history of Battle, head to nearby St. Mary's Church, where the three-meter-long Battle Tapestry artfully illustrates how the town developed around the abbey.

With a banner waving from one tower and a glassy moat crossed by what was once a drawbridge, this fairy-tale castle has everything except knights in shining armor. Situated 13 miles northwest of Hastings in the direction of Lewes, the redbrick structure was originally built by Sir Roger Fiennes (ancestor of actor Ralph Fiennes) in 1444, although it was altered in the Elizabethan age and again early in the 20th century after it had largely fallen to ruin.

Today, most visitors come to explore the castle's stunning grounds, comprising hundreds of acres of themed gardens (including the formal walled Elizabethan garden), lily-covered lakes, and winding woodland paths. Kids will also enjoy the rope maze. The castle itself is owned by the Canadian Queen's University, so opportunities to get inside are limited—though check the website for occasional guided tours. If you do make it inside, don't miss the stunning Tudor staircase (see if you can spot the odd one out among the lion sculptures) and the corner room with a medieval dungeon and an escape tunnel.

Families visiting Herstmonceux Castle may also want to stop at the neighboring Observatory Science Centre ( www.the-observatory.org;  £9.50) for its entertaining and hands-on astronomical exhibitions.

Take a thrilling ride up the West Hill Cliff Railway from George Street precinct to the atmospheric ruins of the thousand-year-old fortress now known as Hastings Castle. It was built by William the Conqueror in 1066, before he had even won the Battle of Hastings and conquered England—that's confidence for you. Today all that remains of the country's first Norman castle are mere fragments of the fortifications, some ancient walls, and a number of gloomy dungeons. Nevertheless, you get an excellent view of the chalky cliffs, the rocky coast, and the town below. You can buy a joint ticket that covers admission to Smuggler's Adventure and the nearby Blue Reef aquarium for £22; you then have seven days to see the other attractions.

A symbol of Hastings's slow but growing regeneration after decades of neglect, this spruced-up exhibition space in the Old Town has become one of the most talked-about contemporary art galleries outside London. Formerly known as the Jerwood Gallery, Hastings Contemporary's collection includes works by Walter Sickert, Stephen Lowry, and Augustus John, while temporary exhibitions change every couple of months. The glazed-tile building on the seafront was designed to reflect the row of distinctive old, blackened fishing sheds it sits alongside.

The history of smuggling on the south coast is told through waxworks and other exhibits inside this labyrinth of caves underneath the West Hill, a 15-minute walk from Hastings Castle. You can buy a joint ticket with Hastings Castle and Blue Reef aquarium for £22.