Cliff Railways - East Hill

East Hill, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3EG

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photograph of the east hill from the lower station. Shows brick building at the bottom of funicular railway cut into cliff.

About

 

The East Hill Cliff Railway is remporarily closed for repairs until futher notice.  The West Hill Cliff Railway is open.

 

The United Kingdom's steepest funicular railway is not only a structure of national importance but also a source of immense local pride.

The East Hill Lift provides access to Hastings Country Park which overlooks the Old Town and Rock-a-Nore. It was in the country park that Hastings resident John Logie Baird, the inventor of television, got the inspiration which led to his first TV experiments.

The lift provides views over the Stade, home to the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe.


The East Hill Lift has step-free access and a space for wheelchair/prams but is not suitable for larger size mobility scooters.

Well behaved dogs are welcome. 
 

 

History of the Railway


Legacy of the Railway


The United Kingdom's steepest funicular railway is not only a structure of national importance but also a source of immense local pride.

It casts a welcoming shadow over Europe's largest beach launched fishing fleet and provides thousands of residents and visitors easy access to the Hastings Country Park and some of the most spectacular vantage points over the town.

It's become an enduring symbol of the unique charm and character of Hastings, a symbol powerful and true enough to withstand two world wars and the fast-changing tides of a turbulent century.


Planning of the Railway


This was fraught with unexpected pitfalls and seemingly insurmountable problems.

Although the town's council successfully bought the land, the original owner, the Reverend Sayer-Milward, had retained a covenant through which he could prevent any construction work.

This setback was quickly compounded by the submission of a major petition from people at High Wickham protesting against any proposed development.

The Council responded with a petition of its own in which 500 residents offered their support for the idea of a cliff railway. This created the impetus for a series of complex negotiations with Sayer-Milward which, after many arduous months, concluded with him granting approval in 1898.


Construction of the Railway


If the Council had found the planning process to be tough, it was nothing compared to the nightmare of the actual construction.

Deep faults in the rocks made it extremely difficult to safely evacuate the shaft and construction workers faced all manner of hidden hazards and perils.

In the Summer of 1902 the opening of the railway had to be delayed because one of the carriages (containing several Council officials) was derailed just fifteen yards from its apex.

Despite all of this, on August 10 1902, the railway finally opened and the first chapter of a one hundred year story had been written.

 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult Return£4.20 per ticket
Child Return£2.60 per ticket
Concessions£2.60 per ticket
Family - up to 2 adults 3 Children£12.00 per ticket

Currently the lifts are only accepting payment by card.
All tickets include return journeys.
Ticket are available for tours and school groups at £3.00 per adult / £2.00 per child. Minimum group size is 10 people.
Weekly and seasonal tickets are available. Weekly: £13.00 adult / £7.00 child/ £34.00 family. Season: £55.00 adult / £37 child.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      515
    • Very Good
      277
    • Average
      85
    • Poor
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    Recent Reviews:

    • theodorosk431
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      A different, attractive experience
      5 of 5 stars
      Friday, 11th August 2023
      The view and the Castle The train is the steepest in the UK It is a different experience but very attractive using the rail lift. Read full review
    • willowb536
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Nice experience on travels
      5 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 20th August 2023
      Does what it says on the tin - nice way to get up to the castle on the hill, reasonably priced and accessible. Read full review
    • lauraletherington
      Worthing, United Kingdom
      Not disabled friendly
      1 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 21st September 2023
      As someone with fibromyalgia I use a mobility scooter to get to places as I can not manage a long distance but am able to walk a short distance and up some steps. On arrival I was told they are not... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Facilities

    Establishment Features

    • Dogs Accepted

    Opening Times

    Summer season (1 Apr 2022 - 30 Sept 2022)
    DayTimes
    Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:30
    Bank Holiday10:00 - 17:30
    Currently Closed (1 Oct 2022 - 31 Mar 2023)
    DayTimes
    Monday - SundayClosed
    Bank HolidayClosed

    * The East Hill Lift is currently closed for repairs.

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    Related

    Picture of the Victorian coaches still used today on West Hill Cliff Railway, HastingsCliff Railways - West Hill, HastingsA heritage funicular railway on Hastings' West Hill.

    1066 Country of Origin Original by nature
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