Newhaven Fort

Newhaven Fort sits on Castle Hill with concrete fortifications that spread across cliffs overlooking the English Channel and Sussex coast. The structure combines multiple defensive elements designed to protect the coastline from attack.

The fort was built between 1864 and 1871 to protect the British coast from potential French attacks. It formed part of a broader defensive strategy that shaped the region during that era.

The exhibitions show military artifacts and information about coastal defense systems from different periods. You can see how defense technology changed over time through the displays here.

The fort is currently closed for major renovation work and remains inaccessible until spring 2025. Once it reopens, new facilities and improved exhibition spaces will be available for visitors.

The fort features a roughly 40-foot-wide defensive moat, representing one of the earliest uses of concrete in British military architecture. This material was a revolutionary choice for defense structures at the time.

Location: Newhaven

Inception: 1864

Operator: Wave Leisure

Address: Fort Road, Newhaven, BN9 9DS

Website: https://newhavenfort.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 50.78310,0.05419

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46