Newhaven Fort
Newhaven Fort
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
An award-winning attraction offering an exciting and varied day out for the whole family. A Victorian coastal fortress housing exhibitions, displays and a program of special events. There is so much to see and do: stunning cliff-top views and on-site gift shop; experience the air-raid simulation, climb up the ramparts to see the breath-taking view across the English Channel, treat yourself to a delicious lunch in the cafe, or have fun in the adventure playground.
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4.5
371 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
106
Average
17
Poor
11
Terrible
2
Sroderts
Huntingdon, UK15 contributions
Jun 2021
I have been to this fort about ten years ago and didn't think it was very good. However after watching a TV program they said it had apparently been improved so I thought it was maybe now better. Unfortunately except for a huge cinema screen at the start which was very informative it was just the same in fact a little more down trodden than on my previous visit. Quite a lot of the guns at the top you couldent go too for a safety reason but going by the one near the cafe no one had thought to give them a coat of paint since my last visit. The cafe was nice with a good selection of food and drink and very nice staff like all the people there. And on the good side It wasn't particularly expensive to get in, the ticket if you lived locally was cheap as it lasted for the whole year. But overall it is a bit shoddy with lots of weeds , rusty railings, etc so overall still not over impressed .
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MJK
Coventry1,355 contributions
Aug 2021
I expected to find it as just another fortification, such as the dozens others, you can see on the South Coast of our Island but what I found was much more and much better!
Like all other defence structures, Fort Newhaven is strategically located and the views from the top of ramparts (especially on a clear day) are wonderful. The fort is much larger than it can be seen on the surface, and although only a small part of the underground chambers and passages are available for visitors (all are dry and in a good condition), there is a lot of it and it makes a big impression.
The above-ground part is equally interesting: there are various exhibitions located in individual rooms and you can watch a movie about the history of this place, see the memorabilia of the units that were stationed in this fort, as well as to learn about the events of World War II with which this place was connected.
An additional attraction is the "air-raid shelter experience" (special effects), in the last of rooms.
It was a very interesting (over) 2 hours of our vacation on the South Coast.
Like all other defence structures, Fort Newhaven is strategically located and the views from the top of ramparts (especially on a clear day) are wonderful. The fort is much larger than it can be seen on the surface, and although only a small part of the underground chambers and passages are available for visitors (all are dry and in a good condition), there is a lot of it and it makes a big impression.
The above-ground part is equally interesting: there are various exhibitions located in individual rooms and you can watch a movie about the history of this place, see the memorabilia of the units that were stationed in this fort, as well as to learn about the events of World War II with which this place was connected.
An additional attraction is the "air-raid shelter experience" (special effects), in the last of rooms.
It was a very interesting (over) 2 hours of our vacation on the South Coast.
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter T
Prestatyn, UK7 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
We stumbled across this not knowing what a fabulous place this is with so much to see and do. It’s great to walk round the outer ramparts and see where the garage n emplacements we’re and 1 left remaining but the best part are all the separate rooms showing the forts life from the 1500s onwards.
An example is from WW2 simulation in an air raid shelter with all he sounds.
We can’t recommend this place highly enough.
An example is from WW2 simulation in an air raid shelter with all he sounds.
We can’t recommend this place highly enough.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John D
4 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
What a fascinating place to visit, very interesting with lots to see and do. Hidden treasure. We visited on the 79th anniversary of the Dieppe raid and this was commemorated by lone bugler - well done.
Absolutely amazed that there isn’t a guide book though - the only disappointing thing!
Absolutely amazed that there isn’t a guide book though - the only disappointing thing!
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerald M
East Grinstead, UK94 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Blown away! So much to see and read, you will need to allow at leat 3 hours or more to take it all in. Wonderful display of items and experiences. It's not expensive and you can even use the same ticket to get in free if used within a year of purchase. How good is that! The staff are lovely, friendly and welcoming and nothing sems too much for them. It's got a nice cafe too. We will definitely go back again. There's a nice pub just around the corner and the beach is next to it. A tip is it's probably best to go in early afternoon as when we arrived so did 2 school coaches. The children were great and very well behaved but like all children they make a bit of excited noise. So for a quiter visit go later.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire S
13 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
An interesting place to visit for a couple of hours. The exhibitions are well presented. Important for us was that everything was accessible in a wheelchair. The accessible toilets were very handy and exhibitions had ramped access. Giving the site is steep you could push a wheelchair around a good deal of the fort.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianne W
Maidstone, UK38 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
This is a really interesting place to visit with school age children , particularly if they're interested in history. There are several rooms to visit, each full of information, memorabilia and artefacts on different aspects of the armed forces, wars and social history . The simulated air raid is excellent, as are the tunnels beneath the fort and the views from the top of the fort. Our grandchildren, aged 7 and 9 found the day very interesting, though they criticised the playground as too babyish!
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn G
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful day at the fort with our 7 year old. Newhaven Art Club were running a free event for children all about Eric Ravilious, where children were invited to create their own plate in his style. They had lots of images of his work there as models for the children and a wide range of materials for the children to use: colouring pencils, felt tips, paint, paint pens, brush pens, and sparkly bits and sequins to stick on. They also ran a competition and all children that took part went away with something. The staff were great with the children and very knowledgable.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cliveyboy224
Yaxley, UK118 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Interesting but disappointing. I’ve visited many similar forts across the south coast and this is the most disappointing.
Lots of areas closed due to health and safety concerns, lots of other doors and areas roped off with no explanation. I am led to believe that a few million is going to be spent soon to rectify this issue, just not helpful for me today.
The exhibits are very formative however dated.
The fort is advertised as dog friendly, however we were told dogs were not allowed in the cafe and to tie them up outside! Not a chance that was happening and very inconsiderate for solo travellers, so we went elsewhere.
Lots of areas closed due to health and safety concerns, lots of other doors and areas roped off with no explanation. I am led to believe that a few million is going to be spent soon to rectify this issue, just not helpful for me today.
The exhibits are very formative however dated.
The fort is advertised as dog friendly, however we were told dogs were not allowed in the cafe and to tie them up outside! Not a chance that was happening and very inconsiderate for solo travellers, so we went elsewhere.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather G
25 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Ok so this may be more for adults than children.
We popped to newhaven fort to use up some time whilst we waiting for our hotel room to be ready.
Your ticket is valid for multiple visits throughout the year, this was really handy as we forgot to put our daughters ear defenders on.
So day one we explored the outer areas, the views are simply stunning. As adults we tried to envisage what life would be like during the war whilst looking out to sea. It was a little bit of a lump in the throat moment.
There are lots of little tunnels, and areas to view and read about. (Again our children were not entirely interested and it was more for us). The children did love running up the hill and pretending the enemy planes were flying over.
The next day we went, we had the trusty ear defenders (a must have if you have an autistic child). We watched the film and visited all the indoor rooms.
The final room living through the blitz, what an eye opener. You think you know what it would have been like, and although you knew you were safe, it was very unsettling.
The smells, the sounds and that general feeling.
If your lucky as well you can see ferries coming into new haven port.
There is a lovely outdoor park, some fantastic play equipment, which all looks relatively new.
The cafe as well, delightful. Lovely staff and the best kept bathroom I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting out and about.
We went both times expecting to kill and hour. We ended up staying for the day!
If you like your history it’s a winner.
We popped to newhaven fort to use up some time whilst we waiting for our hotel room to be ready.
Your ticket is valid for multiple visits throughout the year, this was really handy as we forgot to put our daughters ear defenders on.
So day one we explored the outer areas, the views are simply stunning. As adults we tried to envisage what life would be like during the war whilst looking out to sea. It was a little bit of a lump in the throat moment.
There are lots of little tunnels, and areas to view and read about. (Again our children were not entirely interested and it was more for us). The children did love running up the hill and pretending the enemy planes were flying over.
The next day we went, we had the trusty ear defenders (a must have if you have an autistic child). We watched the film and visited all the indoor rooms.
The final room living through the blitz, what an eye opener. You think you know what it would have been like, and although you knew you were safe, it was very unsettling.
The smells, the sounds and that general feeling.
If your lucky as well you can see ferries coming into new haven port.
There is a lovely outdoor park, some fantastic play equipment, which all looks relatively new.
The cafe as well, delightful. Lovely staff and the best kept bathroom I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting out and about.
We went both times expecting to kill and hour. We ended up staying for the day!
If you like your history it’s a winner.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are interested in the WW2 reenactment day. Are there visitors that dress 1940 style?
Written 1 April 2017
Is there any point visiting here if it is a very rainy day?
Written 25 August 2015
George T
Newhaven, United Kingdom
You can visit here on a rainy day as the Cafe' and exhibits are all housed in doors. However, it is advisable to visit on a sunny day unless you bring a coat
Written 4 April 2016
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