Newhaven

Newhaven is a port town at the mouth of the River Ouse in East Sussex with extensive harbor facilities spread along the waterfront. The port includes breakwaters, lighthouses, and freight terminals that support active maritime operations and cross-Channel services.

The settlement was originally called Meeching until a channel cut through a shingle spit in the 16th century created a sheltered harbor. This natural development made the site an important trading port for England's south coast.

The Newhaven Local & Maritime Museum displays objects and documents that reveal how seafaring shaped this coastal community. Visitors can see how the port influenced the lives and work of local people over time.

The town is easily reached by rail with direct connections to London, and local buses help you explore the area. The harbor area is walkable, making it simple to visit the waterfront and museums on foot.

Newhaven Fort was built in 1864 on a hill overlooking the harbor and was once the largest fortified structure in Sussex. Today visitors can explore its restored rooms and cannons, which tell the story of 19th-century coastal defense.