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DavidFarmbrough (talk | contribs) They are a special class of caves; "show caves". Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
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{{short description|Partlally natural, partly man-made sandstone caves in Hastings, East Sussex}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{coord|50.858|0.590|display=title|region:GB_scale:5000}} |
{{coord|50.858|0.590|display=title|region:GB_scale:5000}} |
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[[File:Smugglers tableau, Smuggler's Cave Adventure, Hastings, UK-15049806300.jpg|thumb|A tableau at the Smugglers Adventure]] |
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'''St |
'''St Clements Caves''' are [[show caves]] located on the West Hill in [[Hastings]], [[East Sussex]]. The caves were named after a nearby parish church and since 1989 are home to the "Smugglers Adventure" tourist attraction which tells the story of [[smuggling]] on the South Coast of England 200 years ago. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The earliest written reference about the caves was about an old man and woman who were discharged from the town workhouse for misbehaviour and who lived in the caves from 1783. The couple lived at the bottom of 'Monks Walk', a 140 feet (44 metres) long tunnel which is now the start of the |
The earliest written reference about the caves was about an old man and woman who were discharged from the town workhouse for misbehaviour and who lived in the mysterious caves from 1783. The couple lived at the bottom of the 'Monks Walk',<ref name="historymap.info">Historical Hastings Wiki: [http://wiki.historymap.info/St_Clements_Caves#Discovery St Clements Caves - Historical Hastings Wiki], accessdate: 10 December 2019</ref> a 140 feet (44 metres) long tunnel which is now the start of the caves tour. |
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In the 1820s, the caves were rediscovered by a local grocer named Joseph Golding. He was cutting a garden seat into the side of the cliff when he broke through to the vast cavern. They became a tourist attraction in 1864 and were visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales. In 1873 the caves received another royal visit from Prince Albert and Prince George Frederick. |
In the 1820s, the caves were rediscovered by a local grocer named Joseph Golding. He was cutting a garden seat into the side of the cliff for his boss when he broke through to the vast cavern. They became a tourist attraction in 1864 and were visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales. In 1873 the caves received another royal visit from Prince Albert and Prince George Frederick. |
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During the Second World War the caves became an air raid shelter and a temporary home, originally for 200-400 people and then, for up to 900 people as the war drew on. Even once when the West Hill received a direct hit from a bomb, the caves remained undamaged. |
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==Modern tourist attraction== |
==Modern tourist attraction== |
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On 25 March 1989 |
On 25 March 1989 St Clements Caves reopened as the Smugglers Adventure, a centre for the history of smuggling on the south coast of England. Dozens of life-size figures, push-button tableaux, dramatic lighting, eerie sound effects and a few surprises bring the romantic yet often bloody heyday of smuggling to life. The Ballroom is now a converted gift shop and the main entrance to the attraction. |
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In June 1998 the attraction reopened after a major refit, which introduced fictional smuggler 'Hairy Jack' who guides visitors round the caves, along with new displays, hands-on features and interactive activities. |
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In February 2012 the Smugglers Adventure reopened after another set of major renovations, which included the installation of a brand new audio-visual infrastructure, and of new lighting systems to highlight the caves’ extraordinary architecture and natural geological formations. |
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There is also a time capsule buried in a wall of the caves which was placed there in 1966 (the 900th anniversary year of the [[Battle of Hastings]]) and is due to be opened in 2066. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www. |
* [http://www.smugglersadventure.co.uk Smugglers Adventure official website], www.smugglersadventure.co.uk |
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* [http://www.showcaves.com/english/gb/showcaves/Clements.html St. Clements Caves], www.showcaves.com |
* [http://www.showcaves.com/english/gb/showcaves/Clements.html St. Clements Caves], www.showcaves.com |
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* [http://wiki.historymap.info/St_Clements_Caves St Clements Caves History] Local history wiki relating to the caves. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Caves of East Sussex]] |
[[Category:Caves of East Sussex]] |
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[[Category:Hastings]] |
[[Category:Hastings]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Tourist attractions in East Sussex]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of East Sussex]] |
[[Category:Protected areas of East Sussex]] |
Revision as of 23:27, 13 May 2023
50°51′29″N 0°35′24″E / 50.858°N 0.590°E
St Clements Caves are show caves located on the West Hill in Hastings, East Sussex. The caves were named after a nearby parish church and since 1989 are home to the "Smugglers Adventure" tourist attraction which tells the story of smuggling on the South Coast of England 200 years ago.
History
The earliest written reference about the caves was about an old man and woman who were discharged from the town workhouse for misbehaviour and who lived in the mysterious caves from 1783. The couple lived at the bottom of the 'Monks Walk',[1] a 140 feet (44 metres) long tunnel which is now the start of the caves tour.
In the 1820s, the caves were rediscovered by a local grocer named Joseph Golding. He was cutting a garden seat into the side of the cliff for his boss when he broke through to the vast cavern. They became a tourist attraction in 1864 and were visited by the Prince and Princess of Wales. In 1873 the caves received another royal visit from Prince Albert and Prince George Frederick.
During the Second World War the caves became an air raid shelter and a temporary home, originally for 200-400 people and then, for up to 900 people as the war drew on. Even once when the West Hill received a direct hit from a bomb, the caves remained undamaged.
Modern tourist attraction
On 25 March 1989 St Clements Caves reopened as the Smugglers Adventure, a centre for the history of smuggling on the south coast of England. Dozens of life-size figures, push-button tableaux, dramatic lighting, eerie sound effects and a few surprises bring the romantic yet often bloody heyday of smuggling to life. The Ballroom is now a converted gift shop and the main entrance to the attraction.
In June 1998 the attraction reopened after a major refit, which introduced fictional smuggler 'Hairy Jack' who guides visitors round the caves, along with new displays, hands-on features and interactive activities.
In February 2012 the Smugglers Adventure reopened after another set of major renovations, which included the installation of a brand new audio-visual infrastructure, and of new lighting systems to highlight the caves’ extraordinary architecture and natural geological formations.
There is also a time capsule buried in a wall of the caves which was placed there in 1966 (the 900th anniversary year of the Battle of Hastings) and is due to be opened in 2066.
External links
- Smugglers Adventure official website, www.smugglersadventure.co.uk
- St. Clements Caves, www.showcaves.com
- St Clements Caves History Local history wiki relating to the caves.
References
- ^ Historical Hastings Wiki: St Clements Caves - Historical Hastings Wiki, accessdate: 10 December 2019