Conservation Area (CA)
Cliftonville, The Avenues, Brunswick Town CAs
Local Listing Reference
LLHA0101
Description
Seafront railings. Following a damaging storm in 1880, it was decided to build a sea wall between the Hove Lawns and the beach, in order to control and minimise future storm damage. The works were undertaken under the direction of Sir John Coode between 1884-1886. This included installation of seafront railings. A photograph in the James Gray Collection shows the work in full progress. Cast iron, the railings are painted dark green (BS 4800 14 C 39) with a silver handrail; granite steps provide access to the beach at regular intervals. Each railing panel incorporates two heraldic shields; apparently each containing three martlets. The martlets are likely a reference to the crest of the Borough of Hove. It is possible that the railings between the Brighton boundary and opposite Adelaide Crescent were constructed first, although the design of the railings matches along their full length. Source: Middleton 1979, http://regencysociety-jamesgray.com/volume11/source/jg_11_168.html
A. Architectural, Design and Artistic Interest
i. A good example of seafront railings; their design and paint scheme providing a clear distinction to the Brighton seafront.
v. The railings contribute aesthetically to the seafront; which formed one of Hove’s greatest attractions as a pleasure resort.
C. Townscape Interest
i/ii. The majority of the railings are within conservation areas (although the section to the south of Old Hove conservation area is not). The railings contribute greatly to the historic character and grandeur of the seafront promenade and largely establish its current character.
iv. Complements the seafront railings to Brighton, which are listed at grade II (the Brighton railings date to 1886 (with a later replacement portion dated 1896), and therefore are also of comparable age).
E Rarity and Representativeness
i. A good example of historic public railings of a design not seen elsewhere in the city
F. Intactness
i The full length of the railings appears to survive largely intact, including the granite steps down to the beach.
Date of Inclusion
Pre-2015
