We had been looking forward to the trip to the fort at Newhaven, especially as having not previously visited. ​30 cars arrived from around 09:00, many eagerly awaiting the opening of the coffee shop!

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Construction of the fort commenced in 1864 and was completed in 1871, the largest military structure in Sussex and the first in the world to use concrete as a construction material. The original armaments were replaced with an updated version in 1906, before the final installation in 1941, at which time it was manned by members of the 521st (Kent and Sussex) Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA), a Territorial Army coastal defence unit formed in July 1940.

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In August 1914, the fort's guns were fired in anger for the first time during WW1 - across the bows of a British ship which had failed to acknowledge a warning signal! Fortunately no damage or casualties were recorded. The fort was bombed by the Luftwaffe in October 1940, with one missile landing inside the walls, the crater from which remains visible. Two more struck the officer's encampment, an area which now serves as the visitor's car park.

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The army vacated the fort in 1962 and following restoration work, it was re-opened in 2025 following a £7.5m restoration funded by the UK Government, and secured by its owners, Lewes District Council.

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The numerous galleries tell the tale of the fort's history and for anyone who has yet to do so, a visit is very much recommended.

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Our thanks to Brenda for arranging a most enjoyable day out.

MH

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