Miniature
Railway
The miniature railway running along the beach at the
Old Town was constructed in 1948 and originally operated
with scaled-down steam engines. These were replaced
in time by diesel locomotives which are more |
|
|
efficient
and don’t require water.
Net Huts
The prominent net huts on the beach in Hastings Old Town are made of clinker weather boarding and stand an average of 25 feet high. These unique wooden buildings were originally used as workshops and storage for nets, sails and ropes.
In 1934 the Borough Council restricted the area allowed for each net hut to eight square feet because of the limited space between the cliffs and the sea. To overcome this problem the fishermen built their equipment stores upwards to maximise the allowed space and constructed three stories, one above the other.
About 45 of these unique structures can still be seen today and they are considered one of
Hastings most famous and internationally known landmarks. Many more were originally built but have been destroyed by strong seas during the past 150 years. The council also demolished some during the 1950's to clear the beach area for development.
With the advent of nylon nets there was less need for workshops and the buildings
main use became storage. The remaining net huts are still used for this purpose today and are regularly maintained to withstand the elements.
Rotunda
Fish Market
The retail fish market was housed in a round construction
known as the Rotunda. Built by Hastings Borough Council in 1870 it was situated at the bottom of the High Street. Eventaully demolished in 1928 to make way for the trolleybus turning circle and later turned into a car park.
Swan Inn
The Garden of Rememberance is on the site of the old Swan Inn, which dated from the 16th Century. The original building was pulled down in 1879 and rebuilt It was finally demolished by an air raid in 1943.
Tamarisk Steps
The Tamarisk Steps are named after the plant which once grew profusely on the edge of the East Cliff.
The Anchor
The Anchor was often used as a courthouse. The ghost of one unfortunate soul who was sentenced to hang, is rumoured to haunt the present bar.
The Bourne
The Bourne originally had a brewery and properties survive there
from the late 15th Century.
The
Cutter
The Cutter in East Parade was built in 1792. During the times
of the Napoleonic Wars the landlord was James Bell, from 1807
to 1823. He had been a former valet to Lord Nelson. The facade
has since been considerably altered.
The Dolphin
The Dolphin was rebuilt
by Edward Ridley about 1851, although records show
that an inn existed there in 1798.
The East Well
A natural spring at Rock-a-Nore still provides public drinking water to this day. The East Well is situated next to the East Hill Lift and was built in the 1840's with part of the money raised from a local fundraising campaign.
The Rising Sun
Opposite the Victorian Lifeboat House in East Parade was a pub
called the Rising Sun that sold ales from the Star Brewery Company
of Eastbourne.
The
Stade
The fishermen’s beach known as “The Stade” has the largest fishing fleet worked from a beach.
The Stag Inn
The
Georgian frontage to the Stag Inn masks a much earlier building (originally
known as the White Hart). Tunnels, possibly used by
smugglers, run from the cellar (which was the original
bar). At the beginning of the tunnels there was an
opening, through which they might have looked to see
if any excise men were present before they emerged.
The mummified cats above the present bar were found
when a fireplace was removed. Some believe they were
walled up to ward off evil spirits.
Lifeboat
House
A splendid Victorian Lifeboat House with turret was built in 1882 on the site of the old Custom House in East Parade, Hastings Old Town. It replaced the earlier lifeboat house that was situated in Rock-a-Nore. Strangely, Hastings Borough Council built the boating lake between the Victorian lifeboat house and the sea which hindered launches and the building was eventually demolished in 1959. The current day lifeboat house was built in 1949.
