Articles & Guides

In-depth features on Seaford's history, nature, and community

Nature & Wildlife

The Ouse Estuary: The River That Made and Unmade Seaford

For centuries the River Ouse was Seaford's lifeline, feeding a tidal lagoon that made the town a Cinque Port. In 1539 the river walked away, leaving a marsh and a beach. Today's Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve, the Cuckmere meanders restoration and the local Renaturing Seaford project are slowly inviting the water back.

3 May 2026Discover Seaford7 min read

History & Heritage

From Cinque Port to Beach Boats: Seaford's Fishing Industry

Seven hundred years ago Seaford was a Cinque Port whose fishermen sailed to Norfolk every autumn for the herring. By 1596 the fleet was down to one boat. The wooden hulls drawn up by winches at the eastern end of the beach today are the quiet last chapter of a very long story.

26 April 2026Discover Seaford6 min read

History & Heritage

Seaford's Pubs: A History of the Town's Drinking Establishments

From 18th-century coaching inns that hosted political intrigue to Victorian seaside hotels that welcomed royalty, Seaford's pubs tell the story of the town itself. Here's a tour through the centuries of the Wellington, the Old Plough, the White Lion, and the inns that have long since disappeared.

19 April 2026Discover Seaford6 min read

History & Heritage

The Great Storm of 1987: The Night That Changed Seaford's Landscape

On the night of 15-16 October 1987, hurricane-force winds tore across Sussex at speeds exceeding 100mph. In Seaford, caravans were destroyed, freshly laid beach shingle was stripped away, and the ancient woodlands of the South Downs were changed forever.

12 April 2026Discover Seaford6 min read

History & Heritage

WWII in Seaford: Military Camps, Canadian Troops and D-Day Preparations

During the Second World War, Seaford was transformed into a military town. Canadian troops filled the schools, tanks lined the streets, and the abandoned village of Tide Mills became a live-fire training ground. From the Dieppe Raid to D-Day, here's how the war shaped Seaford.

5 April 2026Discover Seaford6 min read

History & Heritage

The Cinque Ports Connection: Seaford's Medieval Power and Decline

For centuries, Seaford was one of the most important ports on the Sussex coast — a corporate limb of Hastings in the powerful Cinque Ports confederation. Ships, trade, parliamentary privilege, and royal charters made the town prosperous. Then the sea took it all away.

30 March 2026Discover Seaford5 min read

History & Heritage

How the Railway Transformed Seaford

When the railway reached Seaford in 1864, it transformed a quiet coastal village into a thriving seaside town. Here's the story of the line that changed everything.

23 March 2026Discover Seaford5 min read

Walking Guides

The King Charles III England Coast Path: Seaford's Place on the World's Longest Coastal Walk

On 19 March 2026, King Charles III walked a stretch of the Seven Sisters coastline to officially launch the path that bears his name — a 2,700-mile trail around the entire English coast. Here's what it means for Seaford.

23 March 2026Discover Seaford6 min read

History & Heritage

The Lost Village of Tide Mills: Seaford's Industrial Ghost Town

Just east of Seaford lies the haunting remains of Tide Mills, a once-thriving village built around an ingenious tidal mill that ground grain using the power of the sea. Abandoned in the 1930s and demolished after WWII, its ruins tell a remarkable story.

19 March 2026Discover Seaford4 min read

History & Heritage

Seaford's Three Cinemas: A Century of Silver Screen Entertainment

From the Brooklyn Road Picture Theatre in the early 1900s to the art deco Ritz, Seaford once boasted three cinemas serving a town of just a few thousand people. Here's the story of all three.

18 March 2026Discover Seaford4 min read

Walking Guides

Walking Seaford Head: A Complete Guide to the Nature Reserve

Seaford Head Local Nature Reserve offers 83 hectares of chalk grassland, dramatic cliff views, and some of the best wildflower displays in Sussex. Here's everything you need to know for your visit.

17 March 2026Discover Seaford5 min read

History & Heritage

The Martello Tower: How Seaford's Napoleonic Fort Became a Museum

Martello Tower No. 74 on Seaford's Esplanade was built to defend against Napoleon. Two centuries later, it houses one of Sussex's most charming small museums.

15 March 2026Discover Seaford4 min read

History & Heritage

Seaford's Blue Plaques: The People Who Shaped the Town

Walk through Seaford and you'll spot blue heritage plaques marking the homes and workplaces of notable residents. Here's a guide to who they commemorate and where to find them.

12 March 2026Discover Seaford3 min read

Walking Guides

Seven Sisters & Cuckmere Haven: The Complete Visitor Guide

The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and Cuckmere Haven are Seaford's most famous natural landmarks. Here's everything you need to know — walks, wildlife, getting there, and where to eat afterwards.

10 March 2026Discover Seaford6 min read