Newhaven

Newhaven lies at the mouth of the River Ouse, in the valley the river has cut through the South Downs. Over the centuries the river has migrated between Newhaven and Seaford in response to the growth and decay of a shingle spit (shoal) at its mouth.

By train

There are two train stations in Newhaven; Newhaven Town and . Counterintuitively, you should get off at the Newhaven Town station for the port - not Newhaven Harbour. There is only about a two minute journey between the two stations and they're both on the same line, so there's no problem if you miss the station you were meant to get off at. You can get to Newhaven easily with direct trains from Lewes and Brighton. You can also, with changes, get there from Eastbourne via Lewes, Gatwick Airport via Brighton, Portsmouth and Southsea station via Brighton and London Victoria via Lewes as well.

By ferry

If you are in Europe, you can take a ferry from Dieppe to Newhaven. The journey's about four hours, but there is a great restaurant on the ship serving cooked food with a nice, sea view. The price of one adult travelling with a small car is about £50-£70 one way, and travelling just on foot is about £20 one way.

Newhaven Port

• Newhaven Port

  phone: +44 844 576 8836, +44 1235 845138

The port was built in the mid-19th century and has a passenger terminal, with a small cafe, the

Haven Cafe

There is also a car park at the terminal, which costs £4.50 per 24 hour period (however, this can only be paid for at the terminal and can't be pre-booked). More car parks are available in the town, most on the other side of the river though (see below). There isn't anything else really at the terminal, so long waits there won't be fun. If you want to buy anything like a newspaper or magazine, the Sainsbury's just along the A259 to the east about 10 minutes walk away will be the best option.

By car

From Brighton, take the A259 east to Newhaven and from Eastbourne, take the A259 west to Newhaven. From Lewes, take the A26 south, then the A27 east briefly, before taking the A26 southbound again. From Gatwick Airport (and Crawley), take the M23 southbound, then the A23 southbound. Just before you reach Brighton, take the A27 east, then take the A26 southbound from near Lewes.

Car parks

If you are catching a ferry, you may wish to park your car in the town. There are a few of them in Newhaven.

• Car park at Newhaven Port

• West Quay

  phone: +44 1273 477105

• Dacre Road

  phone: +44 1273 477105

• Bay Vue

  phone: +44 1273 477105

The town is not big enough to warrant taking a bus around, it is only about a fifteen minute walk from the entrance to the port to the north end of town (in an industrial estate). Car parking is available at the Fort and Paradise Park. Both of these places are within walking distance from the station and ferry port.

• Newhaven Fort

  phone: +44 1273 517622
  address: Fort Road, BN9 9DS
  A fort in operation since Napoleonic times, it ceased operation after World War II and has been converted into a fascinating museum.

• Tide MillsA derelict village about a mile south east of Newhaven. Not a great tourist attraction, part of the old course of the Ouse River; before it broke through and 'New - Haven' was created. There are various specialist plants. Possible to walk to the nearby town of Seaford, very pleasant on a sunny day

• Paradise Park

  phone: +44 1273 512123
  address: Avis Road
  Originally a garden centre but has had bits added to it, now includes a model railway, dinosaur museum, a mini arcade

• Newhaven Museum

  phone: +44 1273 515404
  address: Paradise Park, Avis Road
  A museum dedicated to the town's history.

• Fish Newhaven has a small fishing port and various places around the town sell fresh, local fish
• Tents etc. If you need one, or other sporting goods there is a sporting shop, ask locals for directions
• Food Newhaven has two supermarkets, which should supply a traveller with any food he or she needs
• Ferry Tickets From the 'Transmanche' desk, in the Western Harbour; it is signposted from the main road

• The Drove

  phone: +44 1273 612356
  A Brewers Fayre pub next to a Premier Inn.

• Padella D'oro

  phone: +44 1273 516334
  address: 12 Bridge Street
  An Italian restaurant not far from the river.

• The Hope

  phone: +44 1273 515389
  address: West Pier
  Serves good food, and has a quiz night every Wednesday.

Being a port there's a fairly decent selections of drinking establishments, most pubs that serve food also serve alcohol.

• Bed and Breakfasts Ask at the ferry port or a local.

• Premier Inn

  address: 10 Avis Rd
  Generic hotel.

• Buckle Camping

• Catch a ferry to Dieppe, see the Get in section.
• Brighton to the West is a simple bus (£2.50 taking about an hour) or train (£3.60 return taking about half an hour) by car it is easily accessible along the coast road
• Take a walk on the beach towards Seaford, passing the old Dieppe Seaplane station, tidemills water mill (disused) and the old railway to Seaford (it was moved in the late 1800s)
• Visit Cuckmere Haven