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Between the seaside resorts of Eastbourne and Brighton is the port of Newhaven, which has become known as the gateway to the port of Dieppe in France. You can get to Newhaven from London by taking the M23 towards Brighton then taking the A27 which turns onto the A26 at the Beddingham Roundabout. Or you can follow the A259 coast road. Once you get near Newhaven you'll be able to see the signs for the ferry terminal.
The entrance to the harbour is located between two piers, and a substantial breakwater to the west protects the port from the prevailing wind. A variety of operators use the port, and these include Hoverspeed which operates a seasonal crossing over the channel to Dieppe in France. The harbour's entrance is dredged constantly to a depth of 5.5 metres, and so it can accommodate vessels up to 160 metres in length as long at the maximum draft is 8 metres.
Newhaven isn't just for catching ferries though. You can also enjoy a stroll around this friendly town, soaking up it's history. The birth of Newhaven is an interesting story. The River Ouse always used to enter the sea at Seaford, but there was a massive tempest in 1570 which managed to change the course of nature, or more accurately change the course of the river so that it entered the sea near where its mouth is presently. This led to the birth of Newhaven as a port for barges, after which it moved on to steamer services going to Dieppe, and then to the ferry service that we know today.
In the 1860s, during the Victorian era, Newhaven fort was built to deter invaders. Today, we're not so worried about invaders, so a warm welcome is now offered for anyone who is looking for a fascinating and different day out. You can get some exciting glimpses into England's dramatic wartime past when you look at the massive walls, ramparts and guns in addition to other original features. You can also find a range of displays, audio-visual presentations and exciting real-life sets so that you are able to get to grips with the sounds, sights and smell of the period.
In April 2001 the east quay, along with the adjacent land and buildings, harbour authority rights, and the outer harbour were sold to the French company Transmanche, who paid about £15m. The North Harbour and the Marina is retained by Sea Containers, along with the development land located alongside the port estuary. There is also a helicopter pad available. The North Harbour features a frontage of 460 metres and is used most often for the importation of sea dredged materials and of scrap metal.
Information on the Newhaven ferry terminal and routes.....
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