Work has begun to restore a historic fort and reveal never-before-seen areas.

The £7.5 million restoration, which is taking place throughout 2024, means Newhaven Fort will remain closed to the public until its grand reopening in early 2025.

Pilbeam Construction, the delivery partner for the project, has revealed the timeline of works, starting with a complete restoration of the 160-year-old structure’s Romney Hut.

The team at the fort has been busy preparing for works to begin including in areas that have never been opened previously, such as hidden tunnels which have been assessed ahead of restoration work beginning.

New areas visitors will be able to explore following the restoration include its Battery Observation Post, providing a new space to enjoy panoramic views of the coastline. The fort’s scenic gun positions will be re-opened after a period of inaccessibility.

As well as essential works to protect the fort’s longevity, including structural and drainage works, the restoration project will include improving access and signage.

Re-cladding and insulating the Romney Hut in the fort’s parade square will allow for better year-round access and a second casemate will be refurbished and open for venue hire. These spaces will be available for weddings, parties, meetings, school groups, community events and more.

For younger visitors, the current play area is set to be replaced with a new much larger adventure playground.

Lindsay Lawrence, general manager, said: “Since the fort’s closure to the public and our final school visits, we’ve been working tirelessly to prepare for its transformation - emptying out the casemates, removing old exhibits and carefully moving artefacts into safe storage.

“Our collections custodian and I have been delving into the history of the fort, Newhaven and Sussex to research stories for our new exhibits. It’s been a fascinating journey and we’ve uncovered many secrets within the fort’s walls – including a hidden tunnel revealed in the original 1871 plans.

“Working closely with our design team, we’re creating new exhibits to bring these untold stories to life, with a focus on personal histories to give an insight into ordinary Sussex folk’s lives and experiences.

“We’re so excited to be opening new areas and building brand new interactive experiences and displays. Our aim is to ensure Newhaven Fort is an exciting visitor attraction which Sussex can be proud of.”