Smugglers Adventure (Hastings)

I've been spending a lot of time in East Sussex lately, as my boyfriend lives there, so it's a nice place to get away for a bit of a break . My breaks tend not to be much about lazing around on the beach soaking up the sun though - I'm very interested in history, not just kings and queens, but natural history and local history . So when we went to Hastings, I was pretty keen to visit Smugglers Adventure, and learn a little more about this interesting career choice. I didn't know much about smuggling prior to my visit . I knew it had happened, but not why, or how . I remember reading about smuggling in an Enid Blyton book too when I was younger . But, its fair ...  Read the complete review

With Hastings being quite a quirky, British sea-side town it comes as no surprise that 'Smugglers Adventure' is a quirky, sea-side related museum. It is not very large and does not contain a wide variety of displays or things to do but what is there is of mild interest even if it cannot be described as fascinating. For anyone with a desire to discover a bit about an aspect of the history of the area, this museum is an option. Located near the Old Town by fishing boats, huts and fishmongers, the location is very suitable. There is also a medium sized car park very near by. However, 'Smugglers Adventure' is not a good distraction for children from the Sealife Centre as it ...  Read the complete review

The south coast is famous, or notorious, rather for smuggling. Much like piracy, this nefarious activity has been joked about and romanticised for centuries, making many of the smuggler's caves and dens tourist attractions along the coast. Hastings, along with nearby towns such as Eastbourne and Brighton, were heavily involved in the smuggling industry throughout the 1500's to the 1800's. Any time a war was on the taxes were put up to pay for it, and the only way to turn a profit was to involve yourself in smuggling in some form or another. In fact, so many people in Sussex were involved in smuggling that at one point it was considered a county ...  Read the complete review