NEWHAVEN Fort has unveiled an exciting calendar of events for its re-opening, which follows a £7.5 million restoration of the 19th century site.
Situated just 20 minutes between Brighton and Eastbourne, visitors can enjoy a variety of events taking place at the Fort from March 2025 onwards, including workshops, tours, exhibitions, and talks.
Newhaven Fort is the largest work of defence ever built in Sussex and is the last in a series of coastal defences built on the cliffs overlooking Seaford Bay, which date back to the Iron Age.
As part of the 2025 season, the Fort will explore the little-known role of birds during WWII on May 11 with the Raphael Historic Falconry display, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness these feathered friends in action and up close.
The following week, on May 18, the Fort will host the first of two Past ‘n’ Curious Car Shows, showcasing vintage and classic cars and vans from around the world.
The Reptylers Show will arrive on August 1, with the chance to get up close with a spectacular variety of creepy crawlies and exotic animals.
On September 7, the Fort will host an evening talk on the Suffragettes and the Suffragists, with thought-provoking insights into the struggle for women’s rights.
Newhaven Fort will also host a variety of seasonal events and workshops throughout the year, including a Haunted Tunnels event run by Torchlight Heritage in the evenings from October 20 to November 1, a Christmas felt-making workshop on December 6, and Storytime with Scrooge during the day on December 13.
A Victorian Murder Mystery will also take place on December 13 in the evening, transporting visitors back in time to solve a chilling crime.
Lindsay Lawrence, general manager at Newhaven Fort, shared her excitement about the reopening: “The restoration is going to transform Newhaven Fort, providing greater access to improved spaces all year round for activities, events and workshops which are perfect for all the family.
“We’re committed to ensuring Newhaven Fort offers something for everyone, extending beyond its historical and wartime themes.
“We cannot wait to welcome the public back and showcase all the incredible work that’s been going on.”
During the restoration, Newhaven Fort improved its accessibility by offering two new free mobility scooters for visitors.
This also includes a second accessible toilet, a new family toilet, a ramped area outside the gift shop, better accessibility in exhibitions, and accessible playground equipment for younger visitors.
Currently closed to undergo a £7.5 million restoration, Newhaven Fort’s reopening in February 2025 will unveil a vibrant tapestry of stories, inviting visitors to explore the rich social history of Sussex.
From the romance of bygone eras to the resilience of wartime heroes, every step through its historic site reveals a chapter of the county’s past.
