Seaford Museum & Heritage Society

07/06/2026

Today 7th June 1913, the SS ELSWICK of Newcastle was entering Newhaven Harbour when a sudden squall 'slewed her athwart' onto the shore at Tide Mills. The Newhaven lifeboat and the tug 'Alert'. when to her aid but were not needed. The cargo was potatoes from France and it was unloaded before the ship was refloated. This was said to have been the first time for many years that a cargo was unloaded on the beach rather than in the harbour. (Photograph from the late Rosemary Holland's Collection)

24/05/2026

150 years ago today - its Sports Day !

17/05/2026

90 years ago today (17th May 1936) the Russian ship Ussuri bumped into the Esplanade at Seaford. The Captain declined the assistance of the Newhaven lifeboat and the ship managed to make its own way on the next high tide. While it was stranded on the beach, the crew chatted to sightseers and showed off the ships pet monkey. The only member of the crew to come ashore was the ship's cat. [First Picture: Jim Marsh Collection]

04/05/2026

This Friday's talk is “Entertaining the Troops – The story of ENSA and the Theatres of War”, by Pete Allen, Friday 8 May 2026 at the Little Theatre, Steyne Road. Doors open 6:30pm.

This event requires pre-booking. Book at www.seafordmuseum.co.uk/events or https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/lzmgkxgmgrjz

Pete’s Talk tells the fascinating story of how entertainment was used to boost morale during WWII, whether through the work of organisations such as ENSA and CEMA or companies established in POW camps .It remembers those people, who, during the darkest of times, remembered the motto of their profession; ‘tonight and every night, the show must go on’.

18/04/2026

18/04/2026

Looks like a nice day on the beach today. Pop in to the museum at the Martello Tower for our new exhibition of H.H. Evans art. This skilful and prolific artist created several hundred pen and ink images of Seaford. The exhibition is displaying many of his works and will run for several months. There is much more to see inside too. Open 11 to 4 at weekends and Bank Holidays, 2-4pm on Wednesdays.

15/04/2026

I will be providing a talk at the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre at Exceat on Saturday (11am 18th April in the Pump). The subject will be the history of the local cross-channel cable huts (particularly the one at Cuckmere Haven) and the now lost Cuckmere Railway. Click below for details...

Join local historian Kevin Gordon for an illustrated talk on the subject of ‘Hidden Cuckmere’ including the railway that ran from Exceat to the beach and the cable hut. Pre booking required. Photo: Cuckmere Haven cable hut

04/04/2026

Looking for something to do with the children? Pop down to Seaford Museum in the Martello Tower and join in our Egg Hunt. It may be windy and wet, but inside the thick walls you won't notice. Plenty to do and see inside, it's much bigger than it looks. Open from 11 to 4 all weekend and Easter Monday.

31/03/2026

Easter Egg Hunt at Seaford Museum.
This weekend, bring the children to our Easter Egg Hunt and win a creme egg.
We now have enough stewards to open the museum from 11am to 4pm as usual on Sunday. We will be running the egg hunt all day on Friday and Saturday and Sunday.