Hove's iconic seafront railings are being restored to their former glory
The historic cast iron railings on Hove seafront, now being restored
Hove's iconic seafront railings are being restored to their former glory
One of Hove seafront's most recognisable features is getting a much-needed makeover. Brighton and Hove City Council has begun restoring a section of the historic cast iron railings that run along the seafront, stripping away decades of paint to reveal the original Victorian detail underneath.
The work is part of a wider programme to maintain and protect the city's much-loved seafront heritage, and it follows the recent restoration of Hove's distinctive cucumber benches earlier this year.
What the work involves
During August, specialist contractors are stripping around 300 metres of railings, just west of the Meeting Place café on Hove seafront. They are using a process called garnet blasting, an environmentally friendly alternative to sandblasting, which strips the metal back to bare iron, removing a heavy build-up of old paint and creating a clean surface for repainting.
The council chose this approach after trialling several paint systems and preparation methods. It gives a longer-lasting finish, which matters most in the highly exposed spots along Hove seafront where salt, wind and storms take their toll. The railings will be covered while the work is carried out, and this first phase also includes restoring the shelter opposite Waterloo Street.
A hidden piece of Hove's history
One of the most exciting parts of the project is what lies beneath the paint. Stripping the railings back will reveal original details cast into each panel, including the Martlets, the small heraldic birds of the Sussex and Borough of Hove emblem, set into the central circle of every section.
The railings are a genuine piece of Victorian heritage. They were installed between 1884 and 1886 under the engineer Sir John Coode, as part of a sea wall built to protect Hove Lawns and the beach after a damaging storm in 1880. Traditionally painted dark green with a silver handrail, they have lined the seafront for around 140 years.
"It's great to be starting work on restoring our iconic seafront railings and we're excited to see what lies beneath the many layers of paint! By taking a section at a time and working with specialists we can ensure that this important part of our heritage is properly restored and preserved for future generations."
Councillor David McGregor, Cabinet member for Economy, Culture, Heritage and Tourism
Councillor David McGregor at one of the restored cucumber benches
The cucumber benches came first
The railings follow another popular restoration earlier this year, when eleven of Hove seafront's much-loved cucumber benches, the distinctive double-sided green seats, were brought back to their former glory. That project was powered by volunteers, with the council's highways contractor R J Dance organising the repairs and local building merchants and paint suppliers providing the materials.
Residents and staff from local companies including Lloyds Bank and Network Rail helped sand and repaint the benches, while workers from the Community Payback scheme weeded and tidied the surrounding areas. The council said the benches were restored at no cost to itself thanks to that support.
"I'm thrilled to see these iconic benches have been restored back to their former glory, providing the perfect places for residents and visitors to enjoy watching the world go by on our lovely seafront. We're incredibly grateful to R J Dance and local businesses, and to the hard-working volunteers whose generous support has seen the benches restored at no cost to the council."
Councillor David McGregor
Part of a bigger seafront plan
The railings and benches sit within a much larger effort to protect and revive the city's Victorian seafront. The council has secured £280,000 for this summer's maintenance programme, covering railings, benches and shelters alongside safety checks, cleaning and repairs. It is also looking at other funding streams for seafront improvements, such as income from the new beach huts recently installed at Hove Lagoon.
Running alongside are the headline regeneration projects: the £3m-backed restoration of the Grade II-listed Madeira Terrace, the ongoing rebuild of the King's Road arches, and the new Hove Beach Park. Together they aim to protect the seafront's heritage while improving how it looks, how accessible it is, and how well it stands up to the sea.
Could your group adopt a railing?
The council is keen to keep residents involved. Once the current work is finished, it says it would love to hear from community groups interested in adopting a stretch of railing or a restored shelter, and helping with minor upkeep such as touching up the paintwork to keep them looking clean and tidy.
"Residents are always hugely supportive of our maintenance projects and we are extremely grateful to the volunteers who worked alongside the contractors to restore the cucumber benches."
Councillor David McGregor
This article is based on Brighton and Hove City Council press releases and the council's seafront heritage records. For the latest Brighton and Hove news, visit ImJustBrighton.