St. Leonards-On-Sea, the lesser-known neighbour to Hastings, was once the favoured haunt of Queen Victoria – a Decimus Burton-designed resort which attracted the smart set down from London to take in the sea air. Now, the town and its quirky, bohemian vibe are enjoying a fashionable renaissance, with the ever-growing restaurant and bar scene proving a big draw for a new generation of out-of-town visitors.

If you want to sample its delights for yourself, enter our competition to win a Foodie Weekend package for two. The prize includes dinner for two at award-winning gastropub, The Royal, which helped to put St. Leonards on the culinary map when it opened its doors in 2019. Since then, it has earned and maintained its pace in the Michelin Guide, with Bib-Gourmand status.

Set in a handsome Victorian hostelry, The Royal is operated by James Hickson, who learned his trade at well-loved establishments including St John, Great Queen Street and The Canton Arms, with chef Andrew Taylor Gray (ex-Petersham Nurseries, Hix and Winemakers Cub) heading up the kitchen. It specialises in unpretentious yet imaginative menus that make the most of the finest local, seasonal produce alongside an informed and carefully selected wine list and has garnered rave reviews from a number of esteemed food writers including Jay Rayner.

The winner of this fabulous prize will stay at The Knowle, a boutique B&B set within a grand Arts & Crafts villa a short stroll from the beach and town centre. It boasts beautifully-appointed guest suites featuring vintage furniture, supremely comfortable super king size beds and opulent bathrooms. (And breakfast is a seriously sumptuous affair.)

Also included in the prize are two tickets to leading gallery Hastings Contemporary – which presents world class modern and contemporary art exhibitions in a spectacular coastal setting – as well as Sunday lunch at Supernature, an upbeat restaurant which combines the owners’ passion for wood-fired cookery and music. (Expect an uplifting disco soundtrack with your roast!)

Walk off some of this fine food with a stroll on the beach and be sure to visit the wealth of independent shops, vintage stores and art galleries in Kings Road, Norman Road and along the seafront too. What could be better?

Competition closes on 17 March 2025.

THE PRIZE
A weekend in St Leonards-On-Sea including dinner for two at The Royal and bottle of house wine; a one-night bed and breakfast stay at The Knowle; a pair of complimentary tickets for Hastings Contemporary; and Sunday lunch for two at Supernature, also including a bottle of house wine.