The Poppy Trail

A series of eight site specific interpretation panels have been installed around the district as part of the Council’s Heritage Lottery funded project ‘Newhaven’s First World War’. During the First World War, Newhaven became one of the major supply ports to the Western Front. The number of soldiers at the Garrison increased to over 4,000, the Boys’ School (Hillcrest Centre) was converted into a Military Hospital and a Seaplane Station was built on the beach between the East Pier and Tide Mills.

The interpretation panels, collectively known as ‘The Poppy Trail’, tell stories about how the war affected Newhaven and the people who lived and worked here.  Find out what it was like to be a ‘Tommy’ encamped on the downs over-looking the Fort, or the dangers faced by the young pilots of the seaplanes that patrolled the coast from Newhaven looking for U-boats. What role did the railways and ferries play during the war? How did the war impact on the daily lives of the people who lived here?

Each interpretation panel is illustrated with photographs from local archives, such as those of Newhaven Museum, Newhaven Fort and private collections.

You can download a Poppy Trail map here.