Seaford: the back story

About Seaford: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Seaford sits on a broad shingle bay below the chalk of Seaford Head. Its Martello Tower No. 74, built more than 200 years ago against the threat of a Napoleonic invasion, is one of the few open to the public and now holds Seaford Museum.

From the top of Seaford Head the whole coast opens up: the town and its bay to the west, Newhaven’s harbour arms beyond, and to the east the white wall of the Seven Sisters falling away towards Beachy Head.

Tower No. 74

Martello Tower No. 74 was built more than 200 years ago to ward off the threat of invasion by Napoleon. It is one of the few towers open to the public, and Seaford Museum & Heritage Society runs it as the town museum, with exhibitions, talks and a virtual tour.

Check opening times and trains on the official sites before you travel.

The bay and the headland

Seaford Head, cared for by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, is the start of the classic cliff walk to the Cuckmere and the Seven Sisters, with one of the finest views on the south coast.

In town

Vicini Vicini serves Italian food, The View has rooms looking out to sea, and Steamworks is the town’s bar.

Practical notes

Seaford is on the line from Brighton and Lewes.

Our advice: visit the Martello tower, then walk over Seaford Head to Cuckmere Haven for the classic view of the Seven Sisters.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Seaford: the back story before you go.