Destination Newhaven: A Sussex gateway

A vibrant port town with coastal charm, a creative edge and easy access to the South Downs, Seven Sisters and the Avenue Verte.

Arrive in Newhaven and you step straight into coastal Sussex experiences. This is a harbour town shaped by the sea, with ferries sailing to and from Dieppe, big skies over the river and cliffs, and the beginning to adventures in the South Downs National Park. Whether you are travelling by ferry, arriving on foot or by bike, Newhaven is the perfect place to stop and discover a different side to Sussex, or use it as a location for an overnight stay before you continue your journey.

Arriving in Newhaven? Find inspiration for your trip

Use our suggested itineraries to make the most of Newhaven and the Sussex coast, whether you are travelling with family, exploring as a couple or looking for outdoor adventure.

Family adventures in and around Newhaven

Newhaven Fort

Discover Newhaven’s maritime past

Newhaven has guarded this stretch of coast for generations. Its harbour has seen cross‑Channel journeys, wartime stories and countless everyday departures and arrivals. The town’s most striking historic landmark is Newhaven Fort, which stands high above the harbour with impressive views along the coast.

A visit to the fort offers a mix of history, exploration and fresh air. You can learn about its role in defending the Sussex shoreline, step into atmospheric tunnels and gun emplacements, and enjoy panoramic views across the harbour, town and sea. Down at water level, the breakwater, lighthouse and port area give a real sense of Newhaven as a working, living harbour.

Family days out in Newhaven

A coastal town with creative edge

Alongside its maritime heritage, Newhaven is home to a growing creative scene. Former industrial and harbour‑side spaces now host studios, workshops and arts venues, giving the town a distinctive character and a sense of change.

Take time to explore local galleries, makers’ spaces and community arts projects. Look out for contemporary art, craft, design and performance that reflect both the town’s working‑port identity and its connections to the wider Sussex landscape. It is a great way to see a different side of Newhaven and to support local artists and independent businesses during your visit.

A group performing Bicycle Ballet at the Sidings in Newhaven, Sussex

Discover Art and Culture in Newhaven

Newhaven is a hub for local artists and creative experiences

What's on in and around Newhaven

There's plenty to see and do in the area, with theatre, workshops, art exhibitions and family-friendly events happening across Newhaven. See what's happening in Newhaven.

Cement

  • Apr 19, 2026 - Apr 26, 2026

An exhibition of mentees and resident artists' work from Newhaven's Cement studios and art…

Cement
Apr 19

Newhaven Fort

  • Apr 19, 2026 - Nov 1, 2026

Visitors are welcomed back to Newhaven Fort this February half term, as the historic site reopens…

Newhaven Fort
Apr 19

Shhh...

  • May 2, 2026 - May 31, 2026

Shhh… explores how autonomy and intimacy coexist, how two distinct practices can resonate without…

Shhh...
May 02

Mamoosh pitta, falafel and pastry at Riverside

Eat, drink and stay in Newhaven

Newhaven is a welcoming place to break or start your journey in Sussex and has a growing culinary scene. In and around the town centre and harbour you will find cafés serving coffee and local produce, try Mamoosh Riverside for artisan baking and middle eastern cuisine or stop for lunch at a traditional seaside pub such as The Hope Inn, serving locally caught Fish and Chips.

If you are staying overnight, there are accommodation options suited to different types of traveller and budgets, whether you're arriving by foot or car! Newhaven gives you the chance to enjoy an evening walk by the water, watch the movement of the harbour and start the next stage of your journey feeling refreshed. 

If you have more time to explore, visit a local Sussex vineyard to try award-winning wines produced on the chalky downs and sun-drenched landscapes perfect for growing grapes. Find a Sussex vineyard here. 

Find places to eat, drink and stay in Newhaven 

mountain bike with cliffs in the background

Active Newhaven: A key stop for cyclists on the Avenue Verte

For cyclists on the Avenue Verte, Newhaven is the English gateway to the London–Paris route. Whether you are just arriving by ferry from Dieppe or preparing to sail to France, the town offers a the perfect places to rest, refuel and get organised.

You can stay overnight before tackling the next stage, pick up supplies, check your bike and enjoy a proper meal close to the port. Rail links make it easy to connect with London and other parts of the route, and local cycling options mean you can also explore the surrounding area on two wheels if you have time.

In Newhaven, Mamoosh Riverside next to the ferry terminal is a popular place for cyclists to refuel, or stop off along the route at a nearby Cadence Clubhouse, providing cyclists with a place to meet other cyclists in the community. 

 

Outdoor adventures in Newhaven

Newhaven is a hub for outdoor activities, connecting to cycle routes, walking and coastal activities in Sussex

Plan your Newhaven stay

Explore the Sussex Coast

Newhaven is ideally placed for exploring some of Sussex’s best‑loved coastal landscapes and towns. Within a short bus or train ride you can reach the historic streets of Lewes, the beaches and cliffs around Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Haven, the classic seaside promenades in Eastbourne and Brighton or explore on foot using the King Charles III England Coast Path. 

Coastal map of Sussex

Plan your journey

Newhaven is home to the DFDS ferry route to Dieppe, offering daily sailings to France and Europe beyond.

Travel to Newhaven by train

Newhaven and the ferry terminal is easily accessible by rail, with trains connecting to London and Brighton from Newhaven Town Station. Passengers from the ferry can connect to rail services in just a couple of minutes, or if you are arriving into Newhaven by rail, the local cafes, galleries and attractions are all within easy walking distance.