Introduction
Early one August morning, I filmed along the eastern edge of Hastings known as Rock-a-Nore — a name that comes from “rock against the north.” The light was perfect, spilling across the cliffs and over the shingle beach, where fishing boats still launch directly into the sea.
Below is the short film from that morning — a quiet look at one of Britain’s last working beaches.
You can view the area on Google Maps or on my own collection of All Map Locations.
The Hidden Heart of Hastings
Rock-a-Nore sits between the Old Town and the eastern cliffs, right where the land gives way to the sea. Unlike the white chalk faces of Beachy Head or Seven Sisters, these are Hastings sandstone — darker, layered, and more easily eroded. At low tide, it’s possible to walk from here all the way to Covehurst Bay and even on to Cliff End, though conditions can change quickly.
This part of the coast doesn’t get the same attention as the more famous cliffs along the Sussex coast — but in many ways, it’s far more alive.
The Stade and the Boats
The shingle beach here is called The Stade, from the old Saxon word for landing place. It’s home to the last full-time beach-launched fishing fleet in Britain.
There is no harbour. Boats are pulled out to sea using tractors and heavy winches, and returned the same way. This technique dates back centuries — adapted to the geography, and kept alive by generations of Hastings fishermen.
I was lucky enough to film a team launching one of the smaller boats into the morning tide. You can still feel the rhythm of work here — quiet but constant.
The Net Shops
Behind the boats stand the black wooden towers known as Net Shops — often called net huts, but their true name is older.
Built on tiny plots of land, each one is tall and narrow, designed to store and dry hemp fishing nets before the days of nylon. The tarred wood keeps them waterproof, and some reach three or four storeys high. You won’t find anything like them anywhere else in the world.
They’ve become an icon of Hastings — as much a part of the town as the boats and cliffs themselves.
East Hill and the View Across Town
Above Rock-a-Nore, the East Hill Lift rises up the cliff — the steepest funicular railway in England. At the top, you’re rewarded with views across the Old Town, the pier, and even Beachy Head in the distance.
From up there, you really see how the town fits together — hemmed in by the sea, the cliffs, and its own layered history.
Practical Info
- Location: Rock-a-Nore, Hastings, East Sussex
- Access: Easy via Rock-a-Nore Road, car parks nearby, and lift access to East Hill
- Best Time to Visit: Sunrise for photography; low tide if exploring east towards Covehurst
- Nearby:
- Covehurst Bay – wild, dramatic, and rarely crowded
- East Hill & Funicular – for the best views of Hastings
- Hastings Old Town – historic streets, local pubs, and galleries
