Netherwood

Netherwood was a large Victorian house standing in four acres of grounds, situated on the very northern edge of Hastings and St. Leonards near a road that had been used as a highway since prehistoric times. At an elevation of around 500 feet, extensive views could be enjoyed across the rolling countryside to the south, with the town center visible in the distance and to the south west the large town of Eastbourne and Beachy Head.

Its name derives from an Old English word designating the lower or low-lying part of a wood and an extensive area of woods and fields lies to the south. The main house was probably built in the years 1860 to 1870.

In late 1935, the main house was purchased by Vernon and Kathleen Symonds. The Symonds frequently invited artists and intellectuals to the property and exchanged lodging for a lecture or performance. They would transform Netherwood into a unique guesthouse, where some of the most interesting and radical personalities of the time would stay, including, in the final years of his life, a guest who had been given the title by the popular press of 'Wickedest Man in the World,' Aleister Crowley. Louis Wilkinson persuaded the couple to take in Aleister Crowley who moved into Netherwood in late August or very early September of 1945. Although Crowley spent much of his time in his room writing late into the night he got along well with both the owners and guests.

Netherwood was a large three-storey Victorian house with an attractive battlemented tower on the north-east corner with much of the building covered by ivy. Most of the guest rooms were on the first floor [second floor], and above, inside the roof with its gables. In some photographs of the south side of the house a detached building can be seen to the left: this was the 'Dance Hall' where many of the dances, talks and other entertainments took place.

A promotional leaflet, probably written by Vernon Symonds, detailed the charms of Netherwood, picturesquely and peacefully situated in 'rural Sussex' and enjoying 'four acres of woodland and lawn 500ft. up.' It was claimed that the guesthouse was 'ten minutes from Hastings Front by frequent Bus Services passing the gates.' The facilities were also detailed:

Central heating and hot and cold running water in all bedrooms. Luxury beds. With open fires in the Sitting rooms, the whole house is cosy. The Library is stocked with books, magazines and pamphlets of all moods. With many improvements, Netherwood is lovelier than ever. Even in its past glory as a country mansion, it is doubtful if the gardens ever looked better than they do today. We are constantly adding to the amenities of the house for relaxation or for play, there is no Guest House in the country offering a higher standard than NETHERWOOD.

. . . During the last four years, the Kitchen Gardens have been cultivated with a view to obtaining the maximum production of home-produce, and they are now able to make us a self-supporting community. Eggs, poultry and vegetables come from the garden, and we produce other surprises from our family farm in the West Country, there need be no food problem at Netherwood. Mrs. Symonds controls the Kitchen. The new circumstances may demand new menus but it will always be impeccable cuisine.

In addition Netherwood offered extensive parking facilities and 'frequent concerts and entertainments in the Dance Hall.' More active guests had access to a grass court 'for tennis, badminton and lawn games'; it was 'within easy reach of two golf courses and rising stables' and ramblers were encouraged to enjoy the delights of the Ecclesbourne Glen and the Firehills, albeit some distance away.

A surviving copy of the 'House Rules', once displayed in the dining room reveals that beneath the respectable formality and calm normality of the typical holiday guesthouse there lurked a more subversive, morbid and mischievous sensibility:

Guests are requested not to tease the Ghosts.

Guests are requested to be as quiet as possible whilst dying of fright.

Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. to the survivors of the Night.

The Hastings Borough Cemetery is five minutes' walk away (ten if carrying a body), but only one minute as the Ghost flies.

Guests are requested not to dig graves on the lawns, but to make full use of newly filled graves under trees.

Guests are requested not to cut down bodies from trees.

The Office has a certain amount of used clothing for sale, the property of guests who have no longer any use for earthly raiment.

Netherwood was demolished around 1968 and the residential estate named Netherwood Close was built on the site of the house and grounds. As of 1998 there were two portions of the original Netherwood standing, both located on the northeast corner of the estate. One is the coach house which is occupied by a family. The other is the east wing of the original estate and is now a restaurant and bar.