The Smugglers’ Adventure is appealing for visitors to contact them with their memories of the caves to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
The West Hill attraction, which opened in 1989, is planning to put together a special exhibition charting its history and it wants local people to get in touch to add their own stories.
Staff are hoping the appeal will encourage people to contact them with photographs and other memorabilia which trace the attraction’s recent past.
“For centuries these mysterious caves have had a fascinating part to play in the history of the area; playing host to everything from soldiers to smugglers,” said manager Trevor White.
“They have served as a home, a hospital, an air-raid shelter and a ballroom and been visited by an extraordinary cast of characters ranging from common criminals to royalty.
“We’re hoping to add our own chapter to their extraordinary history and we need the public’s help to make it happen,” he added.
Deep in the heart of Hastings West Hill lies the Smugglers Adventure, acres of caverns that conceal the thrilling history of smugglers, bootleggers and warring bloodthirsty gangs.
Explore the labyrinth of secret tunnels and passages and discover the dangers and hardships faced by Sussex smugglers of the eighteenth century.
Join notorious smuggler ‘Hairy Jack’ as he leads visitors through the underground caverns, passages and tunnels on a voyage back through time to the heyday of smuggling.
More than 70 life-size characters, interactive displays, eerie lighting and sound effects and dramatic recreations bring this mysterious and often bloody world vividly to life – but beware there are surprises lying in wait round every dark corner…
Learn the tricks of the trade in the interactive games area, enjoy an illustrated history in the subterranean theatre and come face to face with real artifacts in the fascinating smuggling museum.
- If you have an interesting story to share about the caves please get in contact via email at [email protected] .