Overstrand, The Pleasaunce c.1960

Photo ref: O31083

After being de-requisitioned and restored at the end of WW2, the Overstrand Hotel was a massive building standing only yards from the cliff edge, it opened, then closed, then re-opened with a new bar called “Bubbles Bar” to cater for the modern post war holiday makers, who frankly never came. Around the late 1940's there were some very high tides which scored the unprotected cliff, creating a massive cliff fall. I ...see more

Francis Frith must have been standing almost on the doorstep of a grand-looking house called 'The Patch' when he photographed 'Overstrand, Hotel East 1921' (Ref 71000). In 1916, 1921, 1923 and 1924 my Great Aunts Lily and Olive sent postcards to their family in Oxfordshire from 'The Patch'. On one postcard (Ref 70999 'Overstrand 1921') Lily marks 'The Patch' with an 'X' - just ...see more

I have fond memories of Overstrand, holidaying as children at my aunt, Kate and uncle, Reg Harvey in Thurst Rd - the bungalow at the bottom of the road. My aunt used to ask myself and my sister to fetch a block of ice cream from the cafe. She would divide it and always end up with the biggest bit. I also remember my aunt fetching crabs from Mr Davies in a special crab basket - I think they cost 2/6d - about ...see more

I worked at The Pleasaunce from 1958 - 1961. My memories of wonderful Christmas house parties, and 'tradesmens' parties on New Years Day when all the tradesmen who had any contact with the Pleasaunce over the year, were invited. I remember Mrs Dennis and the boiling of the crabs in her kitchen, which was directly opposite the gardener's cottage (Mr Neave, the gardener lived there) now the bungalow. ...see more