ABOUT THE REC

Fort Road Recreation Ground is a large recreation ground in Newhaven situated at the Southern end of Fort Road. It lies at the foot of the Castle Hill Nature Reserve and the historic Fort sits above the cliffs behind the beach with views of the Marina and ferry.

The Park was gifted to Newhaven by Henry North Holroyd, 3rd Earl of Sheffield in 1889 and was requisitioned by the Royal Navy during World War II and is now owned and managed by Lewes District Council. The Fort Road Recreation Ground is the largest combined sports facility in Newhaven and is already a popular space for dog walkers. It is home to Newhaven Football, Tennis, Cricket, and Bowling Clubs. There is a children’s playground, Multi Use Games Area, and a recently installed Skatepark and Pump track built by award winning developers Clark and Kent. Pebbles Children’s nursery are also located on the site along with the 3rd Newhaven Scout Group.

Although well-loved the Park required much needed investment to improve facilities. Government funding was granted in 2021 and following consultations with stakeholders and members of the Public the following areas were identified as needing improvement which included:

  • Parking facilities
  • New toilets/baby changing
  • Seating/Picnic Benches
  • Litter Bins recycling, waste disposal
  • Tree and shrub planting
  • Improved paths and disabled access
  • Flood management
  • Better play areas
  • Catering offer
  • Improved sustainable lighting

Work is now underway to bring improvements to the park, including refurbishment of Shakespeare Hall, Cricket Pavilion and new facilities including a cafe. A new play area and outdoor gym will be installed, and the site will be re-landscaped offering improved seating, pathways, and disabled access. Native planting will encourage natural food sources and cover for birds, small mammals, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Click below to find out more about the plans for the development of Fort Road Recreation Ground.

The cricket pavillion as it looks today
How the pavillion will look after the park improvements

LOCAL GROUPS & FACILITIES

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Newhaven Bowling Club

We were one of the first Bowling Clubs in the UK and were founded in 1902. We are a very sociable club and are always looking for new members of any age or experience.

Newhaven Football Club

They are currently members of the Southern Combination Premier Division.

Newhaven Tennis Club

Local friendly East Sussex Tennis club for all standards of player.

Newhaven Cricket Club

We are a friendly, sociable and inclusive cricket club.

Newhaven Skatepark + Pumptrack

Newhaven Skatepark and Pumptrack integrates a skatepark and pump track enabling riders to transition between both.

3rd Newhaven Scout Group

The 3rd Newhaven Scout Group is made up of Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, supported and led by a small army of volunteers.

Pebbles Daycare

Pebbles Daycare, a long running and respected provider of childcare in Newhaven. Based at Shakespeare Hall.

Castle Hill Nature Reserve

Castle Hill Nature Reserve is situated adjacent to the Fort Road Recreation Ground. The Castle Hill Group is a group who meet regularly to help maintain the Nature Reserve.

Newhaven Fort

Newhaven Fort is the largest work of defence ever built in Sussex and is the last of a long series of coastal defences built on the cliffs overlooking Seaford Bay, dating back to the Iron Age. Newhaven Fort is situated adjacent to the Fort Road Recreation Ground.

Other facilities

Children’s play area Multi-use games area Public conveniences Sports changing facilities Free on-street parking

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