The Swan Hotel: Then and Now

One hundred and thirty years ago, builders buried a medieval coach house in Hastings, UK, and constructed my house on top of it. When Steven and I moved in, the coach house was sealed and partially flooded. Over the past three years, we have cleared the space of mud, rubble, bones, and broken pottery. We are excited to report that we have uncovered all the original cobblestones, drains, and tracks for the coach wheels. As we continue our restoration, we are piecing together stories about the people who lived and worked here. We are also raising money to commission a 3D scan of the building, which we intend to make available online.

This coach house was part of the courtyard of The Royal Swan Hotel, the largest and grandest establishment on the south coast of England. The hotel hosted notable guests, including the Duke of Wellington, Queen Victoria and the artist J.M.W. Turner.

The Swan Hotel is a reader-supported publication that relies on subscriptions for funding. Subscriptions start at $5 per month or $50 per year.

Benefits for paid subscribers include an individual cellar tour and exclusive posts. Paid subscriptions directly support our ongoing restoration efforts and our goal of making a 3D recreation available online.