Newhaven Fort, Wave Leisure Trust

Newhaven

At Newhaven Fort there's lots to explore including vast, echoing tunnels built into the chalk cliffs, and the ramparts found in the 10 acre-site. There’s also an on-site military museum that includes a recreated Air Raid shelter and an outdoor playground. 

Wave Leisure Trust is a charitable not-for-profit Trust working to inspire active lifestyles through providing high quality, affordable and accessible health and fitness facilities and activities for our community.

Accessibility

  • The Fort was built in the 18th century so physical access is limited in some areas
  • There are 10 steps to the ticket office on entry but staff can open the main gate for step free access
  • The exhibition rooms all have ramps, are wheelchair accessible and are all on one level
  • The shop and cafe are wheelchair accessible
  • The tunnels and ramparts are not wheelchair accessible
  • The Caponier has 72 stairs to the bottom
  • The South of the Fort is up a hill including the Grand Magazine (wheelchair access from the second entrance) and the ramparts
Disabled Parking & Drop-off
  • Designated Disabled Parking
  • There are 2 allocated accessible car parking bays in the moat (just outside the main entrance).
  • Visitors should follow the signs up Fort Rise rather than following signs to the general car park.
  • Drop off and pick up access into the fort is immediately outside the entrance tunnel – please call ahead for assistance.
  • There is a slope up and down to enter from both the main car park (fairly steep 30 metre slope downwards)
  • The accessible bays (more gentle slope upwards) with no rails and the entrance for all is up a slope through a wide high tunnel (including the drop off point)
Toileting/Changing
  • Accessible Toilets
  • Grab/Drop Down Rails
  • Baby Changing Facilities
  • The acessible toilet is in the entrance tunnel
  • There is a radar key for the accessible toilet on request at the shop
  • Baby changing tables in both men's and women's toilets
Guide Dogs
  • Guide Dogs Welcome
The Unexpected
  • There are flashing lights
  • There can be sudden loud noise
  • We have characters in costumes
  • When you buy your tickets ask for a special i-go map which highlights the exhibition rooms that are particularly noisy/dark/have flashing lights.
  • During special events there can be gunfire, see website or call for more information
  • There can be flashing lights in the air raid shelter (not strobe lighting)
  • The 1st World War room entrance near the Caponier is dark - Please use the other entrance if you wish to avoid this
  • There can be people in costume on special event days, normally heads aren't covered. Halloween costumes are used. Please see website or phone to ask for more information

 

Offers & Events

Location

Fort Road
Newhaven, BN9 9DS

This page was last updated on 20 Aug 2021