West Quay Beach (Newhaven)

West Quay beach is located on the western side of the port of Newhaven’s breakwater. A passenger ferry service runs from here to the port of Dieppe in France. The beach is composed of a bank of pebbles and shingle above the high water mark with some sand as the tide goes out. 

Newhaven Fort sits above the cliffs behind the beach. Completed in 1871, it played an important role in both world wars.  It is now an award-winning visitor attraction with a 1940s-themed tea-room.

Newhaven’s West Beach, owned by French company, Newhaven Port and Properties (NPP) was closed in 2008 because of safety concerns about the crumbling sea-defence walls and harbour steps.  In 2015 local campaigners attempted to have the beach awarded village green status, so that it would be forced to re-open, but the Supreme Court ruled in favour of NPP.  A fence now stops members of the public entering the beach, or accessing the breakwater and lighthouse.

The River Ouse enters the sea at Newhaven and the town boasts two Marinas, one on the river and one at West Quay.  The West Quay Marina provides berthing for some smart yachts and has a modern apartment block with a nautical-themed tower.