2 major art galleries of national importance; the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the UK; one of Lonely Planet's top undiscovered spots in Europe*; the most musically sophisticated town in the UK**. Mix these together and throw in four Arts & Music festivals taking place between August and October 2014 and you have the perfect combination for a short break for culture lovers.

However it is styled, whether 'Shoreditch on Sea' or 'the most musical borough in the UK'*, Hastings is the place to be these summer Saturdays if you love music, food and performance. The third annual Stade Saturdays programme of free performances by the sea runs until October 18th; old favourites such as the Hastings Shanty and Seafood & Wine festivals are included in a summer season of cultural goodies from dance to new circus, from folk to classical, from Latin to African. http://www.visit1066country.com/events/seasonal-highlights/stade-saturdays

The annual Coastal Currents Visual Arts Festival, Hastings, offering a combination of Open Studios mixed with art trails and bespoke exhibitions, takes over the town from 29 August – 14 September 2014. While visiting the town, take the Coastal Culture Trail from the Jerwood Gallery, Hastings, to the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, ending at the Towner Gallery, Eastbourne. Three major art galleries within less than an hour's drive from one end to the other on this section of the sunniest coast in the UK. http://coastalcurrents.org.uk/

The beautiful medieval town of Rye plays host tonot one but two festivals. From 21 – 25 August, the 3rd Rye International Jazz & Blues Festival offers a fabulous array of events and venues encompassing Jazz, Blues, Soul, Latin and Fusion music genres. Headline acts will take place at The George in Rye and the Melting Pot Music venue and include Jason Rebello, one of the most respected pianists and composers of this generation, having worked with Sting, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and many other big names. http://ryejazz.com/ 

For a plethora of musical performances and literary events from artists across the globe, add the 2014 Rye Arts Festival to your diary.

On the classical music calendar, the newest addition to this long-running festival is the appointment of a resident string quartet – The Piatti – a young, award-winning British quartet, fast-becoming established as one of the most exciting ensembles around. Add to these, multi-award winning vocal group VOCES 8, who reached number 1 in the Classic FM chart February 2014.

Complementing the classical music events, the contemporary calendar sees the Argentinian dance and music craze of Tango Milonga hit East Sussex with a workshop and performance on 14th September. Winners of this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Award, duo Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, showcase their latest music ventures on 24th.

12 individual and unique literary events and performances make up the fortnight including performances focusing on the 100th anniversary of the Great War and English cricket commentator Henry Blofeld tells his colourful life story.
http://www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk/

Finally, to Battle. More usually recognised as the site of the Battle of Hastings, 1066, this beautiful little town, one of just five in the UK to make the top 50 undiscovered places in Europe, hosts the first annual Battle Arts & Music Festival from 13 – 31 October, with headlining performances during the weekend 24 – 26 October.

The headline ticketed performances will be given by the Battle Festival Sinfonia, comprising internationally renowned classical musicians, drawn from premier UK and London based orchestras and ensembles. A selection of works by Elgar, Bach, Vaughan Williams, Haydn, Mozart and many others will be played in three concerts entitled, 'A Sussex Legacy', 'Friends, Family & Rivalry' and Battle Classics 'Adopted Sons'.

And if these don't tick your boxes, as the nights begin to draw in and cosy firesides beckon, what better way to spend your time than at one of the jazz, rock or folk fringe events taking place in many of the town's bars and restaurants, while sampling local food and drink. Tim Rice-Oxley of multi award winning band, Keane, has been appointed Patron of Battle Arts & Music Festival and will be holding a series of workshops for young local talented musicians during the festival.
Visual Arts exhibitions will display work by renowned international and regional artists at participating galleries and exhibition spaces. http://www.battlefestival.co.uk/ 

For more information on any of the above, or to organise a press visit to this beautiful part of East Sussex, please contact: Jane Ellis jmellis@hastings.gov.uk 01424 451113

Notes to editor:
 *Lonely Planet e book, 'Secret Europe', June 2014
 **Residents of Hastings have been judged to have the highest level of musical sophistication by researchers from Goldsmiths, University of London and BBC Lab UK in their highly regarded PLOS ONE journal. http://www.famouslyhastings.com/live/musical