Newhaven Museum
Volunteer-run museum next to Paradise Park in Newhaven, telling the town's social, industrial and maritime story with objects and a large photograph archive.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Newhaven Museum is run by Newhaven Historical Society, a volunteer-led charitable incorporated organisation that looks after the heritage of the Sussex port town. The museum stands next to Paradise Park on Avis Road.
The collection brings together artefacts, documents, interviews and artworks that illustrate the town's social, industrial, creative, military and maritime past. A particular strength is a digitised archive of more than 20,000 photographs, some dating back to 1860, which visitors can search on a touch screen in the museum. Further objects and papers are kept in the museum's stores, and a library and research room is available to people looking into their family, their house or the area in general.
The society also keeps a handling collection for use with schools and interactive displays. It accepts donations of items connected with Newhaven after checking them first and organises a series of heritage talks each year at the Hillcrest Centre. Enlarged photographs are taken to local events such as the Fish Festival, the Denton Challenge and the Lifeboat Fete. The society's online articles cover subjects such as the town's First World War seaplane station.
Highlights
- Digitised archive of over 20,000 photographs, some from 1860, on a touch screen
- Collection on Newhaven's social, industrial, creative, military and maritime history
- Library and research room for family and local history
- Annual programme of heritage talks
Permanent exhibitions
- Newhaven's social, industrial and maritime past – Displays of objects, images and stories about the history of the town, its port and its people.
- Photograph archive – A touch screen gives access to more than 20,000 digitised photographs of Newhaven, some from as early as 1860.
- Founded
- 1971
- Operated by
- Newhaven Historical Society (charitable incorporated organisation no. 1171675)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
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| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Disabled visitors and their carers are admitted free. |
Free admission also for members of Newhaven Historical Society, Paradise Park members and badge wearers, and members of Seaford Museum & Heritage Society. Society membership costs £8, or £14 for couples at the same address, and includes free entry to Newhaven Museum and Seaford Museum.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum states that it is wheelchair accessible. Toilets are available at Paradise Park.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Paradise Park (bus 12)
Bus: route 12 stops outside Paradise Park. Rail: the nearest station is Newhaven Town.
By car
Free parking
Free parking outside the museum.
The museum is next to Paradise Park on Avis Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Toilets and refreshments are available at Paradise Park next door.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visitors can search more than 20,000 digitised photographs on a touch screen. A library and research room can be used by appointment; contact the museum before bringing items to donate. |
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