Overstrand Village and Parish Council

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Beck Hythe

Beck Hyth, Beck Hythe or even Beckhythe - however recorded it is sad that so few records of this important part of Overstrand's history survive. We are not even sure when it finally fell victim to either the sea or a cliff fall or even how it came to its end.

We know from accounts that it was a long established fishing station which in its heyday was fairly self-contained and included a curing house, a commissary and even a room or an area for schooling the children of the fishing families. This paints a picture of the men bringing home their catch; mainly herring, crab and lobster, which the women would have cleaned, gutted, cured or dressed ready for market, while the children received schooling.

In the early 19th century there were 4 large herring boats and 14 smaller vessels taking crustaceans.

From the watercolour by Edward Pocock it would seem reasonable to assume that Beck Hythe was still in existence in 1880. We can also imagine that the tunnel was created through the final vestiges of what in the 13th century were gentle rises up from the shore. But when did it come into being? From where does it take its name? There are a great many theories and handed-down accounts, much of which could well be true including the belief that it was once a separate fishing hamlet that successive storms finally pulled it into the sea. The fishing families relocated the station to the cliff base at Overstrand to carry on their trade.

Another says it takes it name from the inn on the cliff top run by a Becky Hythe in the 17th century when ship wrecks and smuggling was rife. The inn, a refuge for fishermen and smugglers, was known as Beckhythe.

The story of Beck Hythe is yet to be fully told and so will remain a work in progress.  Any substantiated contributions will be most welcome.