Caves Road
| Other Names | |
|---|---|
| Former name(s) | Cliff Road |
| Construction | |
| Completion | c1840 |
Was previously known as 'Cliff Road'[1] and renumbered in 1880.[2]
The cliff-face behind Caves Road, once had a cave known as St. Leonards Caves which extended underground for some 300 feet with rooms branching off either side. The cliffs are particularly unstable and the exact location of this cave is now lost.
Sussex Steps
These public steps, connecting Caves Road at the corner with Sussex Road to West Hill Road were closed circa 2002 due to instability of the cliff face behind[3], however even as early as 1883, the steps were known to be dangerous, a correspondent to the Hastings & St. Leonards Observer writing in to complain about the state of the footway/steps in September of that year[4].
Reported Cliff Falls
| 12 May 1812 | At approximately 3PM, several tons of rock fell behind Mr. Bray's beer stores. No injury was caused, or damage, except a stable door was knocked open. Falls of rock continued throughout the following days, although all minor in nature[5] |
| 9 Feb 1851 | Rock fall which demolished stable and kitchen associated with St. Leonards Caves, effectively sealing them[6], although they were re-opened for the public on the 24th of May 1863[7] |
| Jan 1861 | Following heavy rainfall, the cliff between St. Leonards Caves and the Terminus Hotel at Bo-Peep suffered several landslides, fortunately without injury to life or property.[8] |
| 24 Feb 1876 | Landfall causes damage to the Marina Inn and Cave Cottages[8]. |
| 31 Dec 1876/1 Jan 1877 | Following a severe storm, the cliff fell blocking the road with thousands of tons of rubble[9] |
| 27 Nov 1880 | Landfall causes more damage to the Marina Inn and Cave Cottages[8]. |
| Feb 1926 | Large fall of rock near Sussex Steps exposes underground pipework[10]. |
Images & Features
N.B. The 'features' tab, whilst returning buildings and business premises in this road is not operating correctly, therefore a 'Dev.Use' tab is in place to explore alternative ways of retrieving this data.
Images
- Images
West Marina Map 1873
ESCC Broderick West Marina Gardens b
ESCC BroderickWest Marina Gardens 1905 b
ESCC Broderick 145 Marina and Caves Road
The-Marina-Inn-Corner-of-Caves-Road-and-Sussex-Road-Marina.-1922.
WestGarthlate1930s
| Street number ⠉ | FromYear ⠉ | FromRef ⠉ | ToYear ⠉ | ToRef ⠉ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caves Cottages | |||||
| Newcraft Products | 20 | 1969 | 1969 | ||
| Riddles Mews | 9 | 1891 | |||
| St. Leonards Caves | 1863 |
| Occupier | Number | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle House | 21 |
References & Notes
- ↑ Brett's Manuscript Histories Vol. 1 Chapt. VII
- ↑ Hastings & St Leonards Observer 07 February 1880 pg. 7
- ↑ Hastings Forum: Sussex Steps - Hastings Forum, accessdate: 14 July 2021
- ↑ British Newspaper Archive Hastings & St. Leonards Observer 1 September 1883 Pg. 0007
- ↑ Hastings & St Leonards Observer 16 May 1874 pg. 5
- ↑ Brett Manuscript Histories Vol. 4 Chap. 45
- ↑ Brett Manuscript Histories Vol. 10 Chap. 69
- ↑ a b c Brett Manuscript Histories Vol. 9 Chap. 65 pg. 38
- ↑ Storm of 1877
- ↑ British Newspaper Archive Hastings & St. Leonards Observer 4 February 1928 Pg. 0016
