hastings the fishermen quarter Cinque Port fishing fleet beach seaside boats lifeboat station
Image details
Contributor:
19th era / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
BACGATFile size:
48.3 MB (3 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5025 x 3363 px | 42.5 x 28.5 cm | 16.8 x 11.2 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
10 March 2008More information:
Hastings was one of the Cinque Ports, but its significance as a port declined after the 19th Century and its main industry became fishing. It still has the largest beach based fishing fleet in England. From a fishing port it became a watering place and finally a seaside resort in Victorian times. Hastings is situated where the sandstone beds, at the heart of the Weald, known geologically as the Hastings Sands, meet the English Channel, forming tall cliffs to the east of the town. Hastings Old Town is in a sheltered valley between the East Hill and West Hill on which the remains of the Castle stand. In Victorian times and later the town has spread westwards and northwards, and now forms a single urban centre with the more suburban area of St Leonards on Sea to the west. Roads from the Old Town valley lead towards the Victorian area of Clive Vale and the former village of Ore, from which The Ridge, marking the effective boundary of Hastings, extends north westwards towards Battle. Beyond St Leonards, the western end of Hastings is marked by low lying land known as Glyne Gap, separating it from Bexhill on Sea. The sandstone cliffs have been the subject of considerable erosion in relatively recent times, much of the Castle was lost to the sea before the present sea defences and promenade were built, and a number of cliff top houses are in danger of disappearing around the nearby village of Fairlight. The beach is mainly shingle, although wide areas of sand are uncovered at low tide. The town is generally built upon a series of low hills rising to 500 feet above sea level at The Ridge before falling back in the river valley further to the north. There are a miniature railway, fairground rides and amusement arcades catering for tourists near the Fishmarket. The fishmarket includes the striking net shops, fishermans museum and Hastings Sea Life Centre. Fishing boats are likely to be drawn up on the beach and there is a lifeboat station.