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Hastings
ℹ️Practical info — Hastings
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The town is situated near the old domestic airport; keep this in mind as it serves as a local landmark for giving directions.
- Carry small denomination Leones for transactions in local markets, as breaking large bills can be difficult.
- The dry season (November to April) is the most comfortable time to navigate the unpaved side roads and paths.
- Taxis and "poda-podas" (minibuses) are common for getting around, but always agree on the fare before starting your journey.
🍽 Food
A staple and hearty Sierra Leonean stew often made with palm oil, fish, or meat.
Enjoy freshly caught, spiced, and grilled fish, a common delight near coastal or market areas.
Street food stalls serving fried treats like plantains, akara (bean cakes), and sweet potatoes.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Bustling areas where you can buy fresh, locally grown vegetables, peppers, and fruits.
Look for small tailoring shops or market stalls selling lively West African print fabrics.
Head slightly away from the town center towards the Freetown Peninsula hills for serene landscapes.
The elevated areas around Hastings offer peaceful spots to take in views of the region and escape the town bustle.
Water temperature…
Hastings is a growing suburb of Freetown in Sierra Leone's Western Area Rural District, located about 25 kilometers south-east of the city center along the main road to Waterloo. The town was founded in the 19th century as a Krio settlement for freed slaves and long retained the character of a small suburban community with old wooden houses, an Anglican church, and a Methodist chapel. In the 20th century, Hastings became known for the present-day Hastings Airfield, a small airport originally built by the British Royal Air Force and since used as a civilian backup and domestic airport. During the civil war, Hastings served as a base for troops defending Freetown. After 2002, the town grew rapidly through migration from the interior; today it is home to tens of thousands of people, and Hastings is a key hub for commuters, small industries, workshops, and markets. Several secondary schools, a polytechnic, churches, and mosques shape its skyline.
- Location: Sierra Leone
- Top sights: Western Area Peninsula National Park · Tigiemans Resident
- Nearby: River No. 2 Beach (10 km)
- Population: ~5.121 (2014)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 1 | 2 | 3 | 25 | 136 | 399 | 644 | 699 | 400 | 187 | 71 | 4 |
Geography
Facts
- Founded in 1819 for the settlement of liberated slaves.
- Features a historic airfield used during World War II.
- Home to the Sierra Leone Police Training School.
- Named after the British General Francis Rawdon-Hastings.
- Major transit hub on the main highway entering Freetown.
- A growing center for commercial trade and vocational education.
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Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Hastings (2)
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