St. Clements Caves facts for kids
St Clements Caves are amazing underground tunnels located on West Hill in Hastings, East Sussex, England. These caves were named after a nearby church. Since 1989, they have been home to the "Smugglers Adventure" tourist attraction. This fun and educational place tells the exciting story of smuggling that happened along the South Coast of England about 200 years ago.
Contents
History of St Clements Caves
The first time anyone wrote about the caves was in 1783. This record mentioned an old man and woman who lived in the caves after leaving the town workhouse. They lived at the start of a long tunnel called the 'Monks Walk'. This tunnel is 140 feet (44 metres) long and is now the beginning of the cave tour.
Rediscovery and Royal Visits
In the 1820s, a local grocer named Joseph Golding found the caves again. He was digging a garden seat into the cliffside when he broke through to a huge underground space. The caves became a popular place for tourists in 1864. Even royalty visited them! The Prince and Princess of Wales came to see the caves. Later, in 1873, Prince Albert and Prince George Frederick also paid a visit.
Caves During World War II
During the Second World War, the caves served a very important purpose. They became a safe air raid shelter for people in Hastings. At first, about 200 to 400 people could stay there. As the war continued, the caves could hold up to 900 people. Even when a bomb directly hit West Hill, the caves remained safe and undamaged.
Smugglers Adventure: A Modern Attraction
On March 25, 1989, St Clements Caves reopened as the Smugglers Adventure. This attraction focuses on the history of smuggling along England's south coast. It uses many cool features to bring the past to life.
What You Can See and Do
Inside, you'll find dozens of life-size figures and special scenes that light up and make sounds. These effects, along with eerie sound effects and surprises, show what smuggling was like. It was a romantic time, but also often dangerous. The old Ballroom area of the caves is now a gift shop and the main entrance for visitors.
In June 1998, the attraction got a big update. They introduced a fictional smuggler character called 'Hairy Jack'. He guides visitors through the caves. New displays, hands-on activities, and interactive features were also added.
Recent Updates to the Caves
The Smugglers Adventure had another major renovation in February 2012. This update brought in new audio and video systems. It also included new lighting to show off the caves' amazing natural rock shapes and architecture.
There is also a special time capsule hidden in a wall of the caves. It was placed there in 1966, which was 900 years after the famous Battle of Hastings. This time capsule is planned to be opened in the year 2066.
