Claremont Hair Studio Photo Maxine Beuret

Launch of Hastings Heritage Trail

Four Years in the Making! Hastings has an amazing breadth of history in its everyday built environment. Launching on 17 November, the Hastings Heritage Trail celebrates this, taking visitors around 10 central locations that have stayed largely unchanged for at least 25 years. Created by Hastings born photographer, Maxine Beuret, and including suggestions from local people, each place has been chosen for its fascinating history with a focus on design.

The trail, which has 7 outdoor locations and 3 indoor, is supported by a leaflet with a children’s brass rubbing trail, a website with an Instagram feed and digital storytelling. A key aim is to inspire all generations to enjoy these places. The trail is numbered but can be done in any order.

The Albion Pub Photo Maxine Beuret

Trail locations
1.             F. Chambers Jewellers, 51 Robertson Street, 1925 (indoor)
2.             Claremont Hair Studio, 7 Claremont, 1987 (indoor)
3.             Carlisle Parade/Robertson Terrace Seaview Shelters, 1931
4.             Carlisle Parade Underground Car Park, 1931
5.             Pelham Place Roundabout Fountain, 1960
6.             Hastings Crazy Golf Course, 1974
7.             The Albion Pub, George Street Bar, 1940 (indoor)
8.             The West Hill Lift, George Street, 1891
9.             The Net Shop & Jellied Eel Bar, 7a Rock-a-Nore Road, 1968
10.           Tamarisk Steps, Rock-a-Nore Road, 1839

Robertson Terrace Shelter

Display sign
At each trail stop, a sign designed by In Situ collective exhibits a single current photograph taken by Maxine Beuret, some concise historical information and a historic image, space for public trail user photographs and other artworks, a trail map and a children’s brass rubbing (outdoor locations only).

Carlisle Parade Car Park Photo Maxine Beuret

Interactive website linked to signs
The website’s digital storytelling combines Maxine’s photograph with oral history interviews done by local people. Trail users are encouraged to submit their photographs and these will be displayed on the website and social media platforms. Periodically a selection will be printed out and displayed on the signs.

The Heritage Trail is supported by In Situ, Hastings Borough Council, The Arts Council and The Old Town Preservation Society.

Visit website at: Hastings Heritage Trail.

Also in: History