Name: Newhaven Fort
Rating: 5.0

Newhaven Fort

Fort Road, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 9DS, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Newhaven Fort is a large historic coastal fort located in Newhaven, East Sussex, offering an immersive and family-friendly journey through British military history. Set high above the port, it combines dramatic sea views with interactive exhibitions that bring the past to life. The fort is ideal for families, history lovers, and visitors looking for an engaging and educational day out.

Visitors can explore a wide range of hands-on exhibitions, from Stone Age and Roman Sussex to Victorian life, World War One trenches, and Second World War command rooms. Highlights include the newly opened Battery Observation Post with panoramic views, immersive galleries such as Women at War, Dieppe and D-Day, and Sussex – The Front Line, plus a brand-new Adventure Playground for children. Additional experiences include guided tours of restricted areas, the immersive “Lucky Escape” escape room, and a packed calendar of seasonal events and reenactments.

Admission prices are £17.95 for adults, £14.95 for children (4–15), £15.95 for seniors and students, £12.95 for disabled visitors, with under 4s and carers free, and a family ticket (2 adults + up to 2 children) at £59.95. Birthday parties for ages 7–12 are available from March to October, with prices on application, including room hire, fort access, and use of the adventure playground.

Newhaven Fort delivers a powerful mix of history, play, and outdoor exploration. Its interactive approach keeps children engaged while offering depth for adults. With free parking, a quality café, and year-round appeal, it is one of East Sussex’s standout heritage attractions.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Exhibitions: Whether you fancy a trip into our Victorian past, or an action-packed dive into a World War One trench, or a peaceful lookout for enemy ships (or more likely wildlife and the ferry!) in the B.O.P., Newhaven Fort has something for everyone! Whether you’re a family seeking adventure, those craving nostalgia, or a history enthusiast, Newhaven Fort promises a day of discovery and wonder.
Guided Tours: Our brand new guided tours offer an exclusive opportunity to explore areas of Newhaven Fort that have been closed to the public. Led by our knowledgeable experts, these tours will take you on an unforgettable journey through the fort’s rich history, revealing fascinating stories and insights you won’t find anywhere else. Each guided tour is designed to immerse you in the fort’s past, from its strategic significance to the remarkable people who once occupied its walls.
Escape Room: Step into “The Lucky Escape,” an immersive escape room that transports you back to 1979, as Newhaven Fort undergoes restoration after years of neglect. Teams must race against the clock to recover a missing briefcase filled with cash linked to a high-profile personality with a notorious gambling addiction who has mysteriously vanished. With only one hour to uncover crucial clues before the getaway ferry departs, the pressure is on.
Adventure Playground: The new Adventure Playground at Newhaven Fort offers fun and adventure for everyone! This redeveloped space features an array of exciting attractions, including a shingle hoist climbing frame, a whimsical dirigible, a thrilling giant slide, and a cradle swing. Designed for children of all ages, the playground encourages imaginative play and outdoor exploration.
Events: Experience a year-round lineup of captivating events at Newhaven Fort! From historical reenactments to family-friendly activities, there's something for everyone. Dive into our diverse offerings and create unforgettable memories! Stay in the loop with exclusive access to upcoming events and insider news. Visit the website for more information.

Facilities

Parking: Free parking available.
Food & Drinks: Having explored Newhaven Fort’s fascinating history, why not relax in our cafe which is managed by Cadence. Their menu of locally sourced food includes sourdough toasties, delicious pastries, power porridge pots, handmade cakes and slices, and more, with vegan and vegetarian options always available.

What to see

Exhibitions

History around us!: Welcome to the most exciting location on the Sussex coast! Join us on a trip of discovery beginning in our Intro Theatre, before picking up your bow and arrow and exploring Stone Age to Roman Sussex in Before the Fort! After this, you’ll be there to see John Charles Ardagh designing the Fort, follow the forts story from the first brick being laid to the present day, and see what life was like in a Victorian artillery Garrison in The History of the Fort and Life in the Fort.
WW1: The First World War began in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Serbia, and initially wasn’t anything to do with us! After joining the war that ‘would be over by Christmas’, it lasted four devastating years. Newhaven played a crucial role in facilitating the shipment of six million tons of supplies to France, and repatriation of the wounded. Our dramatic exhibition explores the war's events, featuring interactive displays that immerse you in this transformative period of history. Join us to discover its profound impact!
Women at War and the Home Front: Explore the home front like never before! Will you be a factory worker? Or perhaps a farmer in the Women’s Land Army? Or maybe you’ll join the Home Guard and defend house and home from Nazi Bombs! But watch-out! The Squander Bug is about! And he’s keen to make you waste and let Hitler win!
Dieppe and D-Day: We invite you to join the generals as they brief each other for the Dieppe raid and D-Day! Gather round the plotting table and hear how the tragedy of the world’s largest commando raid, and then the largest seaborne invasion in history could not have been possible without the Sussex coastline and the key port of Newhaven! This immersive experience is unlike any other!
Sussex – The Front Line: During the Second World War, Sussex was at the doorstep of Nazi occupied Europe. For Four long years, Sussex was the front line of the action! From streams of German and Allied bombers, to daring Commando raids and fierce battles for the control of the English Channel, Sussex saw it all and did it all! See how the port of Newhaven was instrumental in Hitler’s downfall, and how the war impacted everyone and everything in Sussex.
Battery Observation Post: Who knew that one of the most important rooms in Newhaven was at the Fort? Well… we did! That’s why after four decades we have finally opened the Battery Observation Post for visitors! Dive into the story of Gunpowder and discover how our ‘big guns’ worked, and how different shells are used for different things! Gaze out of the Observation Rooms panoramic window, spot ships with binoculars and command the guns from our commander’s seat! This one’s got to be seen to be believed!

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult (16-59): £17.95
Child (4-15): £14.95
Under 4s: Free
Senior (60+): £15.95
Student: £15.95
Disabled Person: £12.95
Carer: Free
Family (2 adults and up to 2 children): £59.95
Guided Fort Tourz: £5 + admission

All of our standard entry tickets are valid for 12 months and allow free return visits during seasonal opening hours.

Pricing URL: https://www.newhavenfort.org.uk/admission-opening/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Newhaven Fort is the ideal venue for adventurous parties for 7-12 year olds. Available from March to October, we can accommodate up to 25 children (with 1 adult per 5 children). Hire either the Ardagh Room or Palmerston Room, explore the Fort, and enjoy the adventure playground.
We offer party lunches, with sandwiches, crisps, fruit, and treats, plus party bags available. We also host adult parties, including milestone birthdays and anniversaries. Price on application.

Monday – Sunday: 10am to 5pm

Address: Fort Road, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 9DS, England

Post Code: BN9 9DS

Council: Lewes

County: East Sussex

The town of Newhaven is situated between Brighton and Eastbourne on the A259 coast road and is linked to Lewes on the A27, via the A26. If using satellite navigation our postcode is BN9 9DS