Newhaven

All About Newhaven

Situated among the rolling hills of the South Downs, Newhaven’s main town lies west of the river, with the more industrial areas linked to the port on its eastern banks. As part of the county of East Sussex in the United Kingdom, it is almost 80 kilometers due south of London.

Although a Bronze Age fort has been identified on Castle Hill at the heart of Newhaven, this small town only really became of any significance during the late Victorian era, in the 1880s. At that time, the River Ouse had rerouted itself, making other ports along this stretch of the English Channel unusable.

Even then, it had already seen visits by future Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, who worked on the ferry route between Newhaven and Dieppe, as well as French king Louis Philippe I after his abdication and exile. Ferry tickets to Newhaven remain easy to book using the Ferryscanner website. Browse the available ferry routes to find the perfect departure for you, before booking your ferry tickets to Newhaven all in one place.

Routes and Ferries to Newhaven

The route between Newhaven and Dieppe has existed for decades. Lying on the north coast of France between Calais to the east and Cherbourg to the west, the journey to Dieppe is scheduled to last just four hours.

The ferries that ply this route are operated by DFDS, a Danish ferry company with years of experience ferrying passengers across the English Channel in both directions. Those with ferry tickets to Newhaven or vice versa will find up to three sailings per day. They take place aboard ferries with a great range of amenities, from restaurants, children’s play areas and shops to areas of comfortable seating which look out through floor-to-ceiling windows. Its vessels also include private cabins.

An adult foot passenger is able to make the voyage to and from Newhaven for as little as €36, with additional charges for booking a cabin and making use of the ferry’s roll-on roll-off facilities to bring a motor vehicle onboard.

Newhaven has two mainline railway stations, named Newhaven Town and Newhaven Harbor. They lie on a branch line from Lewes, meaning those heading from London will have to change trains and wait for a connection at the latter station.

The nearest significant international airport to Newhaven is London’s Gatwick Airport, which sits roughly midway between Newhaven and London. It can be reached without difficulty by both road and rail. As the second-busiest airport in the UK, Gatwick offers a huge variety of flights to European destinations, as well as North African, Chinese and North American cities.

Ports of Newhaven

Its prime location on the English south coast facing towards France means the ports of Newhaven continue to see a good amount of freight and passenger traffic. It lies at the mouth of the River Ouse, rather than on the coast, with the ferry terminal building located close to Newhaven Town railway station on the east side of the river. A swing bridge just north of the station connects the port facilities with the town center.

Best Beaches

Boasting some of the hottest temperatures in the UK, Newhaven is no stranger to beachside vacations. If you find yourself with a little free time, why not join the locals on one of the many excellent beaches in the Newhaven area?

West Beach

Having the advantage of shelter from a broad seawall, West Beach’s shingle flanks are generally quiet because of the lack of direct public access. However, the neighboring West Quay Beach on the opposite side of the seawall is even larger, and boasts some impressive views of the Seven Sisters cliffs too.

Tide Mills Beach

Also sometimes called East Beach, Tide Mills Beach is another broad sweep of shingle. Relatively undeveloped, this doesn’t stop it being an excellent place to enjoy the fresh sea air, take in the summer sun, or walk a dog.

Seaford Bay

Running for approximately 6.5 kilometers between Newhaven and Seaford, Seaford Bay is the stuff dreams are made of. Comparatively tranquil even on the hottest of summer days, there’s plenty of parking for vehicles, a volunteer lifeguard service, and good range of nearby amenities.

Worthing Beach

A blend of sand and shingle, Worthing Beach is a great family destination. In addition to the potential for sandcastles, there are also rock pools to explore, and traditional fun to be had on the pier.

Places to Visit

Few can resist the allure of Newhaven’s Fort, while the open countryside landscapes you’ll see from the ferry are also not to be missed. Overall, these are the best places to visit in Newhaven.

Newhaven Fort

This defensive structure was built in the late nineteenth century to protect the town from potential attack by the French. The largest fort in Sussex, it now contains a museum, allowing visitors to explore its whitewashed galleries and sea-facing guns.

Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

An Area of Special Scientific Interest, the cliffs leading east from Newhaven include the 4.5-kilometer Undercliff Walk along the coast. Accessible by both walkers and cyclists, it reveals in minute detail the geology of the region.

South Downs National Park

England’s youngest national park is called South Downs, which occupies more than 1600 square kilometers and is defined by the type of landscapes often associated with the country more widely. It offers a variety of options for walks, bird watching, and exploring the British countryside.

Transportation Around Newhaven

Newhaven’s two railway stations are just over one kilometer from one another, with Newhaven Town station being the best for visitors to the town center and the ferry terminal. Trains run through Newhaven Town every 30 minutes while heading towards Brighton, and operate seven days a week. Services are somewhat reduced to Newhaven Harbor station to the south, which is now only served during peak hours and on the weekend.

Given the size of the town, it’s unlikely you’ll need to make use of the bus network, which connects up all major sites of interest, including the town center and train stations. If you’re traveling with a large amount of luggage, taxis (also called minicabs) can be arranged by telephone.