Seaford

Seaford is a commuter town and coastal resort in East Sussex, with a population in 2021 of 23,865.

Understand

Seaford was a medieval port, attached to the Cinque Port of Hastings, but it silted up and shipping moved to Newhaven. It remained a backwater until the railway arrived in the 19th century, when it became a seaside resort and commuter town for Brighton and London. Those commuters prompted a growth in schools, so a rollcall of the famous were educated here. They include Anthony Blunt the royal art keeper and Soviet spy, actor Nigel Davenport, comedian Dickie Henderson, and actresses Penelope Keith and Margaret Rutherford.

Get in

1 Seaford railway station has trains every 30 min from Brighton via Falmer, Lewes, Newhaven and Bishopstone at the west edge of town. There's a ticket office and machines, toilets and a waiting area. There is step-free access to the single terminus platform.

Coaster Bus 12 / 12X runs every 20 min from Eastbourne, taking 50 min to Seaford and continuing to Newhaven and Brighton (another hour).

A259 is the coast highway between Brighton (13 miles), Seaford and Eastbourne (10 miles).

Seaford doesn't have a port, see Newhaven for ferries from Dieppe.

Get around

Town is small enough to walk around, but you need wheels for the outlying sights, which are not on a bus route.

Taxi operators are Cuckmere Taxis (+44 1323 899214) and Beacon (+44 1323 898888).

See

1 St Leonard's Church, 3 Oak Walk, Hythe CT21 5DN (100 yards south of the station). It dates from the 11th century, with the tower added in the 14th and the transept and apse in the 19th. (updated Mar 2024)

2 Seaford Museum of Local History, Martello Tower, Esplanade BN25 1JH, ☏ +44 1323 898222. W 2PM-4PM, Sa Su 11AM-4PM. Martello towers were built for defence all around the British and Irish coasts during the 19th century wars with France. This one is now a local history museum. The document archives may also be consulted on the first Sunday of each month. Adult £3, conc £2.50, child £1.50. (updated Dec 2023)

3 Litlington White Horse. is etched on a hillside two miles northeast of town. It was probably first cut in 1838 for Queen Victoria's coronation, but was neglected and became overgrown. It was re-cut in 1924 and maintained since. 

4 Alfriston.  is an attractive village four miles northeast. Sights include St Andrew's Church, the 15th century hall adjacent, and many 18th / 19th century cottages.

5 Wilmington Giant. It is a 235 ft / 72 m hillside carving, a man's silhouette between two poles. He was long thought to be prehistoric, but is now believed to date from the 16th century. Originally cut straight into the chalk, he's nowadays made of white breezeblocks. 

Do

The Long Man of Wilmington

• Seaford Beach is a long pebble beach to the south of the town centre. There are a couple of cafes and free car parking.
• Seaford Golf Club is at 111 Firle Rd north edge of town, and Seaford Head GC is at the east edge on Southdown Rd.

Buy

• Morrisons is the main supermarket, on Dane Rd near the railway station. It's open M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

Eat

• Rathyfinny Estate Rathfinny Estate, Polegate BN26 5TU, ☏ +44 1323 870022. is a vineyard, B&B and "Flint Barns" restaurant 2 miles north of town. (updated Mar 2024)

Drink

• Lots of pubs in town centre.
• Harley House at 79 Sutton Rd makes gin.

Sleep

The Star Inn, Alfriston

1 The Wellington, 33 Steyne Rd BN25 1HT, ☏ +44 1323 899517. Decent pub with rooms 200 yards south of railway station. B&B double £90. (updated Dec 2023)

2 The White Lion, 74 Claremont Rd BN25 2BJ, ☏ +44 1323 892473. Welcoming simple hotel west end of town. B&B double £100. (updated Dec 2023)

• Wingrove House, High St, Alfriston BN26 5TD, ☏ +44 1323 870276. Chic hotel with veranda and great restaurant. No children under 2 or dogs. B&B double £100. (updated Aug 2020)
• Deans Place, Seaford Rd, Alfriston BN26 5TW (200 yards south of Wingrove House), ☏ +44 1323 870276. Smart country house hotel in converted farmstead. B&B double £100. (updated Aug 2020)

3 The Star, High St, Alfriston BN26 5TA (100 yards north of Wingrove House), ☏ +44 1323 870495. 15th century pub made over into a stylish hotel. B&B double £120. (updated Jul 2021)

Connect

As of Dec 2023, Seaford and its approach highway from Newhaven have 4G from Three, O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from Three. The signal is patchy further east towards Beachy Head and Eastbourne.

Go next

• Newhaven is a busy Channel port with limited attractions. Continue west to jaunty Brighton.
• Cuckmere Haven east is a scenic area of the South Downs.
• Eastbourne is a traditional seaside resort trying to reinvent itself along the lines of Brighton.