I stayed in a holiday cottage in one of England's most historic seaside towns

When the golden sunshine and blue skies of spring appeared, an escape to the coast seemed to be calling my name. What better way to enjoy the season than with a quintessential British holiday in one of England's most charming and historic towns? Hastings has a rich history of medieval ports and fishing. Its Old Town is a network of higgledy-piggledy streets, pastel-hued homes and clapboard-style buildings. Here, on All Saints Street, you'll find the aptly named All Saints: a restored one-floor cottage-style apartment, beckoning guests in through its sunshine yellow front door.

is an artistic property, blending original old-world elements with modern touches and amenities.

The stable door from the kitchen gives way to a spring garden blooming with colourful tulips, which could make you believe you're hidden away in the countryside, though the squawks of seagulls overhead remind you firmly that you're by the seaside. There's a garden bar-style seating area, a small table for al fresco dining, and a modern seating area that provides a sun-trap perfect for reading.

Available to book via , the two-bedroom apartment is spacious yet cosy enough to feel like you're at home, whether that's for two days or two weeks. Though it takes up just one level, the property comprises a well-sized modern kitchen, a vast living and dining room overhung by original beams, a bathroom, a twin bedroom and a master bedroom complete with en suite.

It's well suited to groups of friends looking to enjoy the sea air, but the property owners have also ensured All Saints is a lovely home for families too, with plenty of children's games and space for two "well-behaved" pets. The twin bedroom also reconfigures to sleep four, with an additional sofa bed.

Though All Saints Street is a popular haunt, particularly on weekends, high windows and well-thought-out drapes ensure the property remains private. There is off-road parking on a small gated driveway to the rear, though if you're staying in Hastings for the duration of your stay, you can get everywhere you need to on foot.

Booking with is a straightforward process. Their website sets out the dates of availability for each property and, once you've booked, you can download the Sykes app to stay in touch with the property owners leading up to your stay.

Rating: 5/5

Step through the door into the vast open-plan living area, where a sofa quite literally big enough for the whole family sits at the heart of the room, alongside a dining table perfect for gathering around a Sunday roast.

A panoramic photography print of De La Warr Pavilion (a modernist building home to an art and culture space) inspired us to walk nearly 10 km to neighbouring Bexhill-On-Sea during our stay. A mosaic soldier gives a nod to the history all around.

Overhead, traditional wooden beams are decorated with twinkling fairy lights, while mid-century modern sideboards complement the room's warm palette. There's a wood-burning stove to provide warmth on chillier evenings, and guests are given a complimentary basket of logs and kindling (additional firewood is provided in the garden for a fee).

While I'm admittedly no chef, I found the kitchen to be one of my favourite rooms in the property, providing endless interior design inspiration for whenever I get the chance to design my own dream cooking space from scratch. Matte black, contemporary sideboards contrast with burnt orange walls. Though the space is modern, a tangerine barn door reminds you of the traditional nature of the building. On sun-filled mornings, I enjoyed half-opening the door for postcard-worthy garden views while we madee breakfast.

There are plenty of modern amenities, including an electric oven and induction hob, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine. A spacious fridge-freezer and plenty of cupboards mean you can store enough snacks and essentials for your stay. And it's clear a lot of thought has gone into ensuring everything you might need is accounted for, with the owners leaving complimentary milk, cooking oil, salt and pepper, tea, coffee, sugar and (much to our delight) even a delicious lemon cake.

Coffee lovers will also be pleased to find an espresso machine.

The main bathroom, home to a bath and shower, is tucked just off the lounge. It is a calming moss-green room decorated with seaside trinkets and matte black fixtures. A smaller ensuite is located off the main bedroom. Though compact, it contains everything one might need, including an eccentric cerise and yellow pineapple-themed shower cubicle.

The bedrooms are both well-sized and an explosion of character and colour. The artistic personalities of the property owners come to life in these spaces. Colourful, shimmering wallpaper depicts a flock of parrots swooping and nesting. Two incredibly unique duck-shaped bedside lamps sit on either side of a vast four-poster bed. There's a wardrobe and drawers for storage space, plus a mid-century dressing table.

The colourful aesthetic continues in the twin bedroom, though this time, koi carp are swimming around the walls.

Outside, however, is where I found the real highlight of our stay. The private garden is spread across two levels, interspersed with colourful tulips and bluebells. The relaxed seating area is perfectly placed to make the most of the sun, where I relished perching myself and getting lost in a book.

Rating: 5/5

Hastings is a quintessential British seaside town that ticks all of the boxes. Nostalgic arcades and traditional fish and chip shops blend seamlessly with trendy restaurants and quirky vintage shops.

All Saints is located in the charming streets of the Old Town, but you only need to walk a few minutes from its front door to be met by the pebbled shoreline of the English Channel.

A colourful array of cafés, pubs, bars and restaurants is all within easy reach, but one of our favourite haunts of the weekend is mere steps away.

The Crown is a cosy and trendy independent pub on the corner opposite All Saints. It serves a seasonal menu and plenty of drinks.

Warm spring days meant that the outside seating area was always full during our time in Hastings, and given its popularity, we found it best to book for dinner.

We stopped for a simple but comforting paper bag of chips at the merrily-named Codfather, and enjoyed Sunday drinks at the traditional seafront pub The Albion (also home to its own pasty shack).

A fairground across the road is perfect for family days out and the Arcade - where far too many 2ps were spent.

High Street and George Street are Hastings' hotspots for vintage boutiques and unique independent shops, where a sense of community spirit flows. Here, it's hard not to stop and photograph each of the picture-perfect shop fronts, where windows are crammed with trinkets and beautiful displays.

We worked our way down to the seafront towards the black Net Shops looming over the old fish market. These storage huts, dating back to the 1800s, harken back to the bygone heyday of fishing. You can learn more about the area's rich history by stopping into Hastings' Fisherman's Museum (free entry).

If you're planning on cooking at home or need some last-minute bits and bobs, there are a handful of big-name supermarkets in Hastings' centre (all around 15 to 20 minutes away on foot) and a local convenience store just a few streets away.

Hastings train station is just over 20 minutes from All Saints on foot or less than 10 minutes by car.

Rating: 4.5/5

You can book a five-night stay from £679, sleeping up to six people in two bedrooms. However, prices vary based on demand and length of stay. Book directly on the .

You can also or read reviews and find out more on .

All Saints Street
Hastings, East Sussex

Website:

All Saints embraces the heritage of Hastings' historic old town, with original features and traditional touches such as the barn door or exposed beams. However, the owners' artistic nature also shines through thanks to quirky features and bold design choices.

Thoughtful touches like a bouquet of yellow tulips on the mantlepiece and a lemon loaf cake made us feel genuinely welcomed (according to the guest book, it seems the cake is a regular addition for all who book).

The property owners have also left little things you might forget: soft towels, condiments, coffee, tea and cooking oil.

When it comes to location, All Saints scores full points. It's right in the heart of the picture-perfect old town, but only a short stroll sees you in the hustle and bustle of the seafront surrounded by pubs, arcades, ice cream shops and the smell of perfectly battered fish and chips that seems to follow you everywhere.

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