Discovery of St. Clements Caves
Whilst the history of the caves likely spans thousands, if not millions of years as a natural formation, the St Clements Caves were re-discovered in the 1820s when a grocer named Joseph Golding was cutting out an arbour from the sandstone. There’s also some evidence to suggest that a couple made it their home when they were evicted from a workhouse for “poor behaviour”.
Their Role
From being the perfect location to hide smuggled goods such as tobacco, tea and alcohol, to hosting some of the biggest bands in the world and now an incredible tourist attraction. St Clements Caves has an illustrious, colourful history that you can now take part in at Smugglers Adventure.
Post-War
After the war, the cave was turned into an entertainment venue, with huge acts such as The Rolling Stones playing one of their earliest gigs back in 1963.
The Caves soon came to be nicknamed The Ballroom for performances with concerts and other functions happening, like dinner evenings.
Present Day
Today, St Clements Caves are an immersive tourist attraction demonstrating the vast history of smuggling in England called Smugglers Adventure.
An subterranean system of ancient caverns and caves can be found here, along with covert passages that were previously used by the Hastings smugglers to organise and store illegally trafficked items from other countries.
We also have a gift shop where you may purchase smuggling souvenirs to show your friends and family!
There’s also a time capsule buried within the caves, which was buried in 1966 and will be opened on the 1,000-year anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.
What an incredible history that St Clements Caves has, and all from natural cave formations that have been expanded on! If you’d like to become part of the history of these wonderous caves, book your tickets today and embed yourself into the story of the caves.
