The East Hill Lift is currently open seven days a week.
Until end of October - 10.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. Closed for lunch 1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.
From 1 November throughout winter - 11.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Closed for lunch 1.00 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.
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.
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.
Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
---|---|
Adult Group | £2.50 per ticket |
Adult Return | £3.50 per ticket |
Adult Season | £46.00 per ticket |
Child Group | £1.70 per ticket |
Child Return | £2.20 per ticket |
Child Season | £31.00 per ticket |
Concessions | £2.20 per ticket |
Family - up to 2 adults 3 Children | £10.00 per ticket |
Weekly ticket adult | £11.00 per ticket |
Weekly ticket child | £6.00 per ticket |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Open New Year |
---|
East Hill - Winter Openings (1 Nov 2020 - 28 Feb 2021) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday - Sunday | 11:00 | - 16:00 |
East Hill - Summer Openings (1 Mar 2021 - 30 Sept 2021) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 17:30 |
* Closed Christmas Day, open Boxing Day.
The West Hill Lift retains its original wooden Victorian coaches, and also runs through a…
Hastings Adventure Golf is the UK home of Miniature Golf and features no less than 3,…
Traditional family friendly amusement arcade where you can play slot machines and air…
Family friendly premier amusement arcade where you can play video, merchandisers…
St Mary in the Castle is a unique historical Grade ll* Listed building located on the…
Fragmentary remains of Norman Castle built on West Hill after William the Conqueror's…
Historic Experiences led by Tina Brown brings to life the historical heritage of our…
The Lifeboat Station is located at The Stade in Hastings Old Town – right next to the…
Attractions and rides for all the family, from Cinderella's Carousel to bumping on the…
The Shirley Leaf & Petal Company, an extraordinary family business which dates back over…
An exciting adventure for all the family as you explore the sandstone wonders of St…
Vine + Country Tours is a multi award winning bespoke English Wine Tour and Food…
Located between High Street and The Bourne, Hastings History House is the headquarters of…
Nestling between the fishing beach and Hastings Old Town, Hastings Contemporary is…
A former fishermen's church by the old net shops, now a museum on local fishing with ship…
Maritime museum with 3000 years of historic treasures from local shipwrecks. Audiovisual…