Hastings - Museum & West Cliff

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Hastings Museum & West Cliff, with Explorers helping Ivor Bignet follow Chick Maite's memoirs and a map of an island to work out whether the legendary golden chess set really exists.

The quest covers 1.6 miles and should take around 2.0 hours to complete. You'll set off from Rock-a-Nore Road between the Blue Reef Aquarium and Shipwreck Museum, explore Hastings Old Town, investigate The Stade, pass historic streets, pubs and caves, tackle a climb up East Hill and other uphill sections, then loop back to the start area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes steps, some steep streets, raised pavements, a climb up East Hill, other uphill sections and steep downhill sections too, so sturdy footwear and steady legs are recommended.

Use the pedestrian crossing on The Bourne and another pedestrian crossing to reach the 'Island'. There are other road crossings along the way, so keep Mini Explorers close while the treasure hunt is underway.

Getting There

By car: Begin your quest between the Blue Reef Aquarium and Shipwreck Museum on Rock-a-Nore Road (TN34 3DW). Rock-a-Nore Road car park (TN34 3DW) is the recommended place to park, with plenty of parking available in this area.

By public transport: Make your way to Rock-a-Nore Road, then head for the spot between the Blue Reef Aquarium and Shipwreck Museum to begin the adventure. The Trail is circular, so you finish back at the start area.

Need the Loo?

Toilets can be found at the end of Rock-a-Nore Road, near the beginning and end of the quest - handy for a comfort stop before you start searching for golden chess pieces.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt. 🐾

The route includes Old Town streets, road crossings, steps, steep hills, raised pavements and steep downhill sections, so keep dogs close around traffic and take care on the climbs and descents.

Food & Drink Stops

There are plenty of shops, fish & chip shops and pubs in the old town for provisions, and the route also passes the West Hill Cafe. If you'd rather bring your own supplies, pack a picnic to enjoy up at the Lookout area.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Stade

The route takes you through The Stade, where fishing boats have worked from the beach for at least 600 years thanks to the rich fishing ground of Rye Bay nearby. 'Stade' is Saxon for landing site, and Hastings fishing vessels are registered at Rye - which is why they bear the letters 'RX' for Rye, SusseX.

Smugglers Adventure - St. Clements Caves

Smugglers Adventure is actually St. Clements Caves, named after the nearby church. Over the years, the caves have served as a home, hospital, air-raid shelter and ballroom/concert venue, and they are now a visitor attraction exploring the history of smuggling in the area.

Hastings Old Town

The quest explores Hastings Old Town, with shops, pubs, fish and chip shops, historic streets and steep climbs up to the higher parts of the town. Once Ivor Bignet's golden mystery has been tackled, it's worth slowing down and enjoying the old streets without needing to interrogate every detail for treasure-hunting evidence.

The Stag Inn

Keep watch for The Stag Inn as you follow the route. Two mummified cats are on display there, found up the chimney in the 19th century by builders. Local woman Hannah Clarke is said to have placed them there in 1665 to ward off the plague by using witchcraft - a properly strange extra tale for curious Explorers.

The Castle

If you've time, there is an optional diversion beyond the West Hill Cafe to the Castle. It is not open every day, but the views are worth it when your expedition can make the extra climb.