Hastings is a large old fishing town along the southern coast of England. It is best known for its connection with the Battle of Hastings. Hastings offers all the traditional amusements of the seaside but retains much of the character of its colorful past. It still has the largest beach-based fishing fleet in England based in The Stade in Hastings Old Town. From a fishing port it became a watering place and finally a seaside resort in Victorian times. Hastings is situated where the sandstone beds, at the heart of the Weald, known geologically as the Hastings Sands, meet the English Channel, forming tall cliffs to the east of the town. Until the development of tourism, fishing was Hastings' major industry. The beach launched fishing fleet, based at the Stade, remains Europe's largest and has recently won accreditation for its sustainable methods.