Living in St Leonards-on-Sea

Thinking of moving to St Leonards-on-Sea? This bohemian seaside town on the Sussex coast combines Victorian elegance with a thriving arts scene – a creative alternative to its more famous neighbour, Hastings.

Where is St Leonards-on-Sea?

St Leonards-on-Sea sits on the East Sussex coast, immediately west of Hastings and around 65 miles southeast of London. The town stretches along the seafront from Warrior Square to Bulverhythe and forms part of the wider Hastings borough.

Despite being technically part of Hastings since 1897, St Leonards maintains its own distinct identity and character. The area is well-positioned for exploring the Sussex coast, with Eastbourne to the west and the historic Cinque Port of Rye to the east.

Is St Leonards-on-Sea a nice place to live?

St Leonards-on-Sea has developed a reputation as a creative hub that attracts artists, writers and those seeking an alternative to Brighton’s busier scene. The town combines elegant Victorian and Regency architecture with independent shops, cafés and galleries, particularly around the Norman Road area.

The seafront offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than many coastal towns, with miles of promenade perfect for walking and cycling. The area appeals to a diverse mix of residents, from young families and creative professionals to retirees drawn by the coastal location and lower property prices compared to nearby Brighton.

What is St Leonards-on-Sea famous for?

St Leonards-on-Sea was originally developed as a planned Victorian resort town by architect and builder James Burton and his son, Decimus Burton, in the 1820s and 1830s. The Burtons’ vision was to create an elegant seaside resort to rival Brighton, hence the grand Regency and Victorian architecture that still defines much of the town today.

The town is particularly known for its creative community. It has become home to numerous artists, musicians and writers, with this creative energy reflected in the independent galleries, studios and performance spaces throughout the area.

The distinctive Victorian seafront gardens, designed as part of the original town plan, remain a defining feature and provide a beautiful green space running parallel to the beach.

Things to do in St Leonards-on-Sea

St Leonards-on-Sea offers a wealth of cultural attractions centred around its vibrant arts scene. The town is home to independent cinemas, live music venues and the nearby Hastings Contemporary art gallery. It also hosts regular events including the annual St Leonards Festival, which celebrates local creativity with art exhibitions, live music and street performances.

Norman Road is the heart of the independent quarter, packed with vintage shops, record stores, art galleries and quirky cafés. Meanwhile, the seafront provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, with miles of promenade for walking, cycling and jogging. The beach itself is a mix of shingle and sand, which is popular with swimmers and families during summer months.

Warrior Square Gardens hosts community events throughout the year. The area also benefits from its proximity to Hastings Old Town, with its historic fishing quarter and medieval castle just a short walk or bus ride away.

What is the transport like in St Leonards-on-Sea?

St Leonards Warrior Square station provides regular train services to London, with direct trains to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street taking around 90 minutes. The station also offers connections to Eastbourne, Brighton and Ashford International.

Local buses connect St Leonards to Hastings, Bexhill and surrounding areas, making it easy to explore the wider region without a car. The A259 coastal road runs through the town, providing access to nearby destinations, while the A21 offers a direct route to London and the M25.

In addition, the town’s relatively flat seafront and quiet residential streets make it cyclist friendly.

Schools in St Leonards-on-Sea

St Leonards and the wider Hastings area offer a range of primary and secondary schools, several of which have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Ark Alexandra Academy and Hastings Academy are among the secondary schools serving the area, while there are numerous primary schools including Robsack Wood Primary Academy and St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School.

For further education, Hastings College and East Sussex College’s Hastings campus offer a variety of courses for school leavers and adults. The nearby University of Brighton also has a campus in Hastings.

Is St Leonards-on-Sea safe?

St Leonards-on-Sea is part of the Hastings borough and is policed by Sussex Police’s Central St Leonards and West St Leonards Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Hastings as a whole has a crime rate of around 98 crimes per 1,000 people. Detailed local crime statistics are available on police.uk for those wanting to review specific data.

What are the average property prices in St Leonards-on-Sea?

House prices in St Leonards-on-Sea have an overall average of £300,846 over the last year. The majority of properties sold here during this period were flats, which had an average price of £203,431. Detached properties sold for an average of £426,512, with terraced properties fetching £290,535.

Overall, sold prices in St Leonards over the last year were 3% down on the previous year and 6% down on the 2022 peak of £320,300. The town offers more affordable property prices than Brighton while maintaining good transport links to London.

FAQs

• How far is St Leonards-on-Sea from London?
  St Leonards-on-Sea is around 65 miles southeast of London.
• Is St Leonards-on-Sea good for commuters?
  Direct trains from St Leonards Warrior Square station to London take around 90 minutes to reach London Bridge, Charing Cross or Cannon Street. By car, the journey takes approximately two hours via the A21 and M25, though times vary depending on traffic.
• Why do people like living in St Leonards-on-Sea?
  Residents are drawn to the town’s creative and bohemian atmosphere, independent shops and galleries along Norman Road, Victorian seafront architecture, relaxed coastal lifestyle, and strong sense of community. Good transport links to London also make it attractive to artists and young professionals.
• Is St Leonards-on-Sea good for families?
  Yes. The area offers beaches, parks, a range of schools and a relaxed coastal lifestyle that may appeal to families seeking a quieter alternative to larger cities.
• Is St Leonards-on-Sea affordable?
  Compared to Brighton and many London suburbs, St Leonards offers more competitive property prices while still providing coastal living and reasonable transport links.