Smugglers Adventure
Smugglers Adventure
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Deep in the heart of Hastings West Hill lies the Smugglers Adventure, acres of caverns that conceal the thrilling history of smugglers, bootleggers and warring bloodthirsty gangs. Visitors can explore the labyrinth of secret tunnels and passages and discover the dangers and hardships faced by Sussex smugglers in the eighteenth century.More than 70 life-size characters, interactive displays, eerie lighting and sound effects and dramatic recreations bring this mysterious and often bloody world vividly to life.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- LouLSlough, United Kingdom32 contributionsWorth a visitReally enjoyed visiting the caves, we last visited about 15 years ago. Its better than we remembered. The entry fee was fair and good value, we have experience of other caves and this is far better for price. Very informative, Would recommendVisited May 2023Written 9 May 2023
- Sadie KPoole, United Kingdom23 contributionsA wonderful place where history comes to life.I would 100% recommend this to anyone visiting Hastings. It is suitable for all age groups. With something to thrill all. We were fortunate enough to visit on a day Adrian Beckingham was telling true stories of pirates - his tales were captivating! It is a wonderful place where history comes alive.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 July 2023
- CfenfoxRamsgate, United Kingdom28 contributionsGreat little historical attractionI visited today for the first time in years, it brought back so many lovely memories of visiting with my grandparents and today my son got to experience visiting with his grandparents. This is a great attraction for children, teaching them about the history of smuggling in the area. There are ropes to pull, buttons to push, short films to watch and great displays all in the setting of the caves. You can’t take a pushchair around. So Maybe plan ahead of you have non walkers or only just walkers.Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 17 July 2023
- Youthworkerlu91 contributionsGreat family activityWe had a great hour or so in the caves. It's obviously quite far down and quite dark, and a bit cold. But it's got little lights to guide you. There's a fair amount of talk parts on technology or film. There's a fair amount for kids to touch or get involved in. There's a huge amount to learn about the smugglers in the caves. There are toilets in the main part of the cave which I thought was quite clever. There's a photo opportunity at the end which will cost you £9 in the shop if you want to purchase it. We chose not to do the 3in1 ticket but the reviews of this place are good and we're glad that we went. A good shout for a windy and rainy day. Really easy to find and there's free parking on the roads higher up. Great views as you walk down to the cave entrance from the top.Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 2 August 2023
- BazsarahHastings, United Kingdom49 contributionsCome on Smugglers DO BETTER!!Person on desk should be dressed as a smuggler. Give it some ambience and sense of occasion. Start the tour off with a quick acting talk by a staff member pretending to be a smuggler make it more interactive and give it some theatre before you even enter! Too dark to see anything as you firstly walk in before your eyes adjust. Just stood in a dark room for too long once you enter the first room, (lucky we took torches!) could do with floor lighting to guide the way. Kids were crying terrified as they were just in complete darkness. Lots of the interactive gadgets didn’t work at all which is a shame. Tired and out dated lazy displays. Hastings has some really exciting history and honestly this just felt a little tiresome, too much reading not enough show! It’s very expensive for what it is. AND Finally the gift shop was an actual embarrassment! Half empty and the stuff there was a joke. London souvenirs and gifts that. have obviously brought up from the aquarium gift shop! Where were the swords and eye patches, the smugglers dressing up gifts, badges with I love smugglers on it anything would have been better than the rubbish on display! Such a waste of an exciting opportunity to celebrate time in our history that could be fantastic day out! Come on Hastings DO BETTER!!!!Visited August 2023Travelled with familyWritten 25 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
898 reviews
Excellent
319
Very good
361
Average
141
Poor
55
Terrible
22
Jennifer F
Ashford, UK96 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Fab experience. Was a little tricky for us to find as it’s not next to a road but after following the paths round Hastings we found it tucked away and it was worth the hunt! (You can probably find it easier than we did but neither of us have any sense of direction ha!)
The staff were great and very friendly. They had a technical difficulty starting the first show for us as their projector had turned off but they fixed it quickly. We spent ages in there, a lot longer than the hour they say it normally takes, but we were looking at and reading everything and really took our time.
The attraction was really thought out, interactive, informational and immersive. It really told the story as you went round. We loved it! The displays were great, some fab artefacts in there and loads of information about everything to do with smugglers and the caves themselves.
It was 10*c down there (obviously it’s underground) so take a jumper!
I would definitely go again and recommend it as a great place to visit for all ages. Very interactive with lots of buttons to press, games, videos etc so great for kids too.
A must see if you’re visiting Hastings!
The staff were great and very friendly. They had a technical difficulty starting the first show for us as their projector had turned off but they fixed it quickly. We spent ages in there, a lot longer than the hour they say it normally takes, but we were looking at and reading everything and really took our time.
The attraction was really thought out, interactive, informational and immersive. It really told the story as you went round. We loved it! The displays were great, some fab artefacts in there and loads of information about everything to do with smugglers and the caves themselves.
It was 10*c down there (obviously it’s underground) so take a jumper!
I would definitely go again and recommend it as a great place to visit for all ages. Very interactive with lots of buttons to press, games, videos etc so great for kids too.
A must see if you’re visiting Hastings!
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny M
Leighton Buzzard, UK188 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
I took my 12 year old son and we both really enjoyed our visit.
We took the west cliff lift up to the top of the cliff, the first service was at 10am, just in time for the Smugglers Adventure’s opening time. The cave’s are a 2 minute walk over a grassy spot with lovely views of the coast.
We spend about 1.5/2 hours in the caves looking at all the information, models and exhibits. The experience was informative and enjoyable. We arrived just as it opened and there were very few people there which made it for a very pleasant experience.
We took the west cliff lift up to the top of the cliff, the first service was at 10am, just in time for the Smugglers Adventure’s opening time. The cave’s are a 2 minute walk over a grassy spot with lovely views of the coast.
We spend about 1.5/2 hours in the caves looking at all the information, models and exhibits. The experience was informative and enjoyable. We arrived just as it opened and there were very few people there which made it for a very pleasant experience.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis A
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
I don’t really leave reviews but me and my family went today apart from having a fantastic time, me and my fiancées had a strange experience at the start of the monks walk in the left room with the wooden stocks inside. As we walked up to it we saw a man in what looked like a white robe/ hooded cloak moving from left to right but his arms and legs wasn’t moving he appeared to be gliding then just disappeared my fiancées was saying “hello” over and over thinking it was an actor who was going to jump out on us like at London dungeons but we never saw the person again.
At the end we got to the shop and I asked the person working there about it, wondering if we can get a picture with the man in white but he told me no one there dresses up and has never dressed up he then told me he has heard stories about ghosts and took me back to the area to look but nothing was there.
At the end we got to the shop and I asked the person working there about it, wondering if we can get a picture with the man in white but he told me no one there dresses up and has never dressed up he then told me he has heard stories about ghosts and took me back to the area to look but nothing was there.
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michelebarley
Hungerford, UK36 contributions
Aug 2022
Didn’t have high expectations of this but I was pleasantly surprised. Young, sensitive children would probably be a bit spooked!
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FatmanRich
Ramsgate, UK34 contributions
Aug 2022
This is a fascinating visitor attraction that presents the story of Hastings’ rich history of smuggling in the centuries-old caves originally constructed to conceal their illegal adventures back in the day. Expect dark areas, unstable surfaces and low headroom scenarios around the Smugglers Adventure as well as lots of interactive elements for kids (and adults). The ghost of a smuggler - Hairy Jack - explains about the caves as you go around and there are many mannequins lurking to catch out the unwary! When I visited I saw quite a few of the kids (especially very young ones) get a bit scared because it was in places very dark and there are plenty of triggers for anxiety and claustrophobia - this isn’t a criticism but just a warning for anyone aiming to bring youngsters around. The caves are, however, contained so there is no real danger of kids getting separated or lost - but keep hold of them nonetheless. The caves are pleasingly spooky and it’s perfectly possible, if you’re lucky, to be on your own in certain parts of the caves so that you can try and conjure up the spirits of long dead smugglers…if you believe in that sort of thing, anyway! I visited with my 77-year-old Dad who can be a bit unstable on his feet so if you’re taking someone older or with mobility issues, keep a close eye on them - remember: many dark areas and unstable surfaces. The two members of staff I saw were young lads and both were friendly and helpful. My only real criticisms are that some of the video and interactive elements need a revamp and the gift shop really needs a lot of improving in terms of what’s available: while this could understandably be down to funding, in both cases I don’t think it would be any harm to do some benchmarking at other attractions. Getting to the attraction can be difficult if the council-run funicular railway is not working. When I visited, we tried to get on the railway but a sign at the George Street entrance said it was closed for maintenance - so my old Dad walked up the steps to get to the top only to find out it was open at the other end! They’d clearly opened the railway in the time it took to get to the top. I would strongly recommend checking the opening/closing times for the railway before visiting and double checking with their staff on the day. Alternative walking routes are available to the attraction, but obviously aren’t feasible for those with mobility issues. Note to anyone using the railway: when you get to the top, you come out at a cafe that looks across a vast expanse of lawn; the Smugglers Adventure is nowhere near the railway - you’ll still need to walk a little way to get there, across the lawn. All in all, the Smugglers Adventure is a fun, interesting and educational way to spend an hour in Hastings. I intend to revisit.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lady_britts
Bexley, UK1,340 contributions
Aug 2022
Sitting at the top of the cliff via the West Hill lift is this fab adventure that all ages will enjoy. Set in the caves - which I still find odd that they are up a cliff rather than closer to the beach - it's a fab way to learn of the history of smuggling through these caves and spend an hour in a cool place on a hot day!
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrs Lloyd
19 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This was certainly worth a visit! Really interesting and a bit scary too, is adults and teens really enjoyed it but our younger children who are 6 and 4 were so scared!
Maybe not a place to visit with young ones who scare easy but definitely worth a visit!
Maybe not a place to visit with young ones who scare easy but definitely worth a visit!
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil B
2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Fantastic presentation. Interesting and inclusive. Well worth the entry fee. Highly recommend to anyone
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean G
Ashford, UK103 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
I enjoyed the visit. It’s not an attraction you can spend too much time at but interesting exploring the underground caves and the mannequins are fun. We spent about 45 minutes having a walk around.
The walk down to it wasn’t great with litter outside, doesn’t give a great first impression.
It’s very dark in places so obviously if you don’t like the dark then it may not be for you.
The walk down to it wasn’t great with litter outside, doesn’t give a great first impression.
It’s very dark in places so obviously if you don’t like the dark then it may not be for you.
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne W
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Couples
Not well sign posted went wrong a couple of times which is not good as it’s all up hill. Not good value for money- the entrance fee
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay C
1 contribution
I have limited walking ability but can manage a few stairs us this site suitable?
Hi there,
Are the caves suitable for a 2 and a half year old?
Many thanks
Zeo007
n/a391 contributions
Probably not suitable. They might get scared by the sudden activation of the motion sensor displays. Also the activity is not step free so I would advise caution on any entrants under years old.
Hi there,
Are the caves suitable for a 2 and a half year old?
Many thanks
Paul M
Ipswich, UK92 contributions
Probably a little scary for this age range, I would wait a few years.
Wenn man die Karten online kauft, wie bekommt man die dann? Per Email oder anders??
SmugglersAd
Hastings, UK
Hi!
Online tickets are emailed to you.
Thanks!
Ken M
Wadhurst1,619 contributions
Are dogs allowed in the caves please?
Charlotte P
Tonbridge, UK2 contributions
Dogs are not permitted to the caves unless registered guide dogs.
Martyn C
Bar Hill, UK6 contributions
Are dogs allowed in the caves?
glen mr cheeky in kent
Kent, UK297 contributions
Hi there when we was there didn’t see any signs saying no dogs but give them a ring before you go to check where flat shoes hope that has helped the staff are very helpful see what they say love mr cheeky in Kent
What is the disabled access like can wheelchairs access every part of the cave.
SmugglersAd
Hastings, UK
Hi Chris
Thanks for the question.
We can admit standard wheelchairs into the attraction but not motorised ones. However there are several sets of steps to get into the attraction to make you aware of. For more detail call us on 01424 422964 and we can assess your individual needs.
Many thanks
Smugglers Adventure
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