Secret
2 total works
Today Hastings (and neighbouring St Leonards-on-Sea) is a busy seaside town, popular with holidaymakers and day trippers wanting to soak up its coastal heritage and historic charm. Known to many for the famous battle of 1066, which was not actually fought at Hastings, the town has so much more to offer. In this book author Tina Brown reveals many little-known stories about Hastings including the fact that the town was the birthplace of television - invented by John Logie Baird - and that the unique Piece of Cheese Cottage in the old quarter was built as a result of a bet in 1871. As well as these, its secret places will be explored, including places connected to smuggling such as the Mortuary House with its cold chamber and coffin hatches, and the Stag Inn, which was frequented by the smugglers.
Secret Hastings & St Leonards explores the lesser-known episodes and characters of the town through the centuries. With tales of remarkable people, unusual events and tucked-away historical buildings, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this East Sussex town.
Secret Hastings & St Leonards explores the lesser-known episodes and characters of the town through the centuries. With tales of remarkable people, unusual events and tucked-away historical buildings, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this East Sussex town.
The Crawley and Gatwick area is fascinating and both have seen a great many changes. Gatwick Airport is central to this area, but has anyone stopped to think about its ancient Roman ironworks and how Crawley developed as a market town from the thirteenth century onwards? Crawley has always been known as a trade route with good connections both to the city of London and the coast at Brighton, so its location has always been important. The coming of the railways brought prosperity to Crawley and saw its first major expansion, as well as the development of Gatwick Racecourse and the original Gatwick airfield, which has now been swallowed by today’s airport. After the Second World War, the town was designated a ‘new town’ and saw a vast increase in population and building, becoming one of the most important business and employment centres in south-east England. Crawley also has many buildings of historical importance dating back to the fifteenth century, and many Grade I and II listed buildings. Settlements close by on the Weald that are served by Crawley also have many secrets and stories connected to them, including numerous historical churches and manor houses.
Secret Crawley & Gatwick brings the history of this area to life, highlighting that there is a whole lot more to it than just the airport.
Secret Crawley & Gatwick brings the history of this area to life, highlighting that there is a whole lot more to it than just the airport.