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Hastings has the largest beach-based fishing fleet in England.

A harbour began construction in the late 1800's but funding ran out. The harbour arm was partially blown up during World War II to prevent the enemy using it, and so the boats have continued using the beach.

Around fifteen wooden and steel boats still fish and are moored on Harbour Beach to the East of the Harbour Arm. They are pushed into and pulled out of the water by bulldozers and winches. This would once have been done by horse walking around a circular winch.

The fleets future is constantly under threat due to increasing quota pressures.

The huts were used to store fishing nets and equipment. The weatherboarded structures were around 25 feet high and 8 feet square. Due to the lack of space the huts were restricted to 8 square feet at the base, so they were built tall.

There are around 43 remaining in Hastings, which were Grade II listed in the 1970s. Most are found to the Fishermans Stade along Rock-A-Nore Road There were once many more which were destroyed by storms or demolished in the 1950s for redevelopment.

Found mid way along Rock-A-Nore Road, the East hill lift is an Edwardian funicular cliff railway which was opened in 1902. It was originally powered by water, then electricity from 1976. The track length is 81m, and at 1:1.128 it is currently the steepest railway in Britain.

For more information Link

After being shut for 3 years the lift was reopened in March 2010.

Also see West Hill Lift Link

The beach is used as by the beach based fishing boats.