Smugglers Adventure — Attraction in Hastings

Excellent and fantastically fun and interactive, which charters Smuggling in Hastings and the surrounding areas. The attraction itself is situated in St Clement's Caves, which was formed during the last Ice Age adding to the mystery and intrigue of the place. There are some interesting informative displays about the history of Smuggling in the area and why Smuggling came into being and the products that were smuggled and the gangs involved and also the brutal aspects of it with people being murdered. There are some interesting artefacts to see in the display cabinets to see such as Excise Man's Account Book, Uniforms of a Dragoon Officer and Cruiser Commander, Jewellery, Clothing and Food such as Coffee, Tea, Spices, Cheese and Pepper. There is a short video to see which is very enthralling all about Smuggling in the area detailing how it started in the 17th Century through tax duties on exports and imports of products, how goods were smuggled into the UK through Sussex from the Coast and how the gangs involved in Smuggling operated. As you walk around the place you can see and listen to accounts from different anamatronic figures about Smuggling, which is quite fun and very interactive along with offering different perspectives on the trade of Smuggling to give you a full idea about the people involved in the trade of Smuggling and the challenges they faced. There is also some interesting about the use of Caves after the Smuggling period detailing its use as a Ballroom, as a Hospital during the World Wars and also as an Air Raid Shelter again during the World Wars. Prior to finishing the tour there is a photo opportunity for an extra charge where you can have a nice memory of your visit. You can also purchase a combined ticket for this attraction along with the Castle and Aquarium for £24, which is more than reasonable. There is a small gift shop selling souvenirs at a very reasonable price. Overall this is an amazing and brilliant place to visit, which makes for a very intriguing and very interesting day out. Well worth a visit whilst...

Located on the West Cliffs of Hastings Old Town is the Smugglers Adventure, set inside St Clements's Caves - not far from Hastings Castle.

Access is via steps and a narrow foot path, so is not accessible = as is the caves for those in a wheelchair. Push chairs are also not allowed in the caves but there is a push chair parking.

Some of the passageways are dark and steep. The can also be damp in places. - nearly slipped on a metal plate descending down the entrance passage way. Also there are some very low ceilings and passage ways.

There are plenty of items on display abut the history of the caves and smuggling in the area. There are also mannequins in various poses and an interactive display. Some of the displays can scare the unexpected such as a prisoner rattling the bars of his cage and the skeleton of the unfortunate Hairy Jack rising from the grave.

There is a small gift shop in the caves but it didn't seem to well stocked on my visit. The tour of the caves is also self guided.

To get up to the site from the old town there are two options. One is walking up the various pathways, the other is via the West Cliff lift. There is some parking on the roads nearby, but this may be full during busy times.

Otherwise parking is on the seafront and other...

We purchased a bundle ticket that included the caves, castle and aquarium. Before entering the caves we asked if it was suitable for a one year old both at the caves and at the aquarium where we purchased our tickets and was told multiple times that it was dark but was suitable. Unfortunately, it was not. There were a lot of ‘dummy’ people, screens with quite loud volume and motion sensor sounds. Once we were in the caves there was also no turning around or anyone available to speak with to see if there was a quicker exit. We were literally the only people down there. Luckily my son was ok, but I hate to think what would have happened if there was something that DID spook him.

This attraction is more suited for older children and I personally wouldn’t recommend taking any child under the age of 7/8 because they would need to have an understanding that once they’re in the caves it’s a very long way until they get back out again.

We were unable to enjoy the experience as we just wanted to...