Hastings Ship wreck Heritage Centre

A Museum devoted entirely to the history of wrecked ships, the Shipwreck Heritage Centre was opened in1986 and is run by the Nautical Museums Trust. New discoveries are continually being added as further treasures are recovered from the sea bed. A spectacular audio­visual presentation tells the story of the wrecks featured in the display. These include a Medieval sailing barge that sank in the Thames at Blackfriars, the sevengun English warship Anne damaged at the Battle of Beachy Head in 16 go and the Dutch East Indiaman, Amsterdam, that ran aground near Hastings in 1749 and was quickly swallowed by the beach. Recently the last Rye barge, Primrose, has been added to the display and is undergoing restoration after being rescued from the River Rother.

Some more features of the Shipwreck Heritage Centre:

AN EXHIBITION of historic shipwreck treasures.

VIDEOS of sunken ships.

RADAR monitoring of Channel shipping ­ live!

SATELLITE PICTURES of Europe's weather ­ live from space!

History of the Centre

The Centre was created in 1986 by the Nautical Museums Trust, a registered educational charity, and is a government accredited Registered Museum. It was opened by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, with capital funding from government, local authority and local charitable sources but pays its running costs from charging admissons and receiving donations. It is not maintained from public funds, and some staff are volunteers. In 1989 it received the Museum of the Year Award as 'best museum of historic and archaeological interest' in a national competition. Its aim is to illustrate the history of ships and seafaring in north­west Europe primarily from archaeological remains which have been rescued and preserved and which would otherwise have been lost.

School visits

We can accommodate your visit at any time throughout the year. Groups of 10 students or more (aged 16 years and under). One supervising adult free per 10 students. All school parties must be accompanied by teachers or leaders.Toilet facilities are not available in the museum but exist very close by. The deaf and those in wheelchairs are particularly welcome (Loop system) Free pre­visit available to teachers to assist preparation for the visit. Activity sheets, teacher's notes and guide book available at $3.
Car and coach park nearby. Educational goods and souvenirs, on sale in the shop.

Staff

Trust Director: Dr. Peter Marsden Centre manager: Mrs. Yasmin 0rnsby

Address

Rock­a­Nore Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3DW. Tel. & Fax: 01424 437452 Opening hours: open daily Easter to October 10.30am to 5.oopm. Special openings for parties ­ apply the Manager. Admission charges with special rates for families and groups. Parking: pay car park adjacent.