Shoreham-by-Sea
A historic coastal town with medieval origins, rich maritime heritage, and unique cultural identity
Origins and Medieval Era (11th–15th Centuries)
Early Development
Shoreham's harbor has been a center of maritime activity since at least the medieval period, with possible earlier Roman connections. The settlement's story begins with two distinct communities: Old Shoreham, the original inland settlement along the River Adur dating from Saxon times, and New Shoreham, founded by the Normans in the late 11th century near the river mouth as a dedicated port town.
12th-13th Century Prosperity
The great Norman church of St Mary de Haura ("St Mary of the Haven"), consecrated by 1103, stands as testament to the port's early importance. This church, now Grade I listed, is noted as "one of the finest" examples of transitional Norman-Gothic architecture. At its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, New Shoreham ranked among England's most significant Channel ports, enjoying royal patronage and thriving cross-Channel trade. Under King John in the early 13th century, it became a royal port, sending more ships to the 1346 Siege of Calais than London or Southampton did.
14th Century Decline
The 14th century brought decline through a perfect storm of challenges: coastal erosion and flooding devastated the town, the Black Death decimated the population, the Hundred Years' War disrupted trade, and silting began to obstruct the harbor entrance.
15th Century Nadir
By 1421, a survey revealed the population had collapsed from around 500 residents to just 36, demonstrating how far the port's fortunes had fallen. The harbor entrance began to shift eastward as shingle banks built up, creating navigation challenges that would plague Shoreham for centuries.
Tudor and Stuart Period (16th–17th Centuries)
16th Century Challenges
In 1545, during Henry VIII's wars with France, Shoreham was attacked by the French navy. By the late 16th century, severe silting had diverted the Adur's mouth approximately half a mile east of St Mary's Church. Records from 1580 note Shoreham was used for exporting armaments, though overall legitimate trade had dwindled.
17th Century Shipbuilding
The early 17th century brought resurgence through shipbuilding. Between 1625 and 1638, at least 21 ships were constructed for King Charles I at Shoreham's yards. Local shipyards launched vessels up to 500 tons, and Shoreham-built ships earned a reputation on global trade routes. The port also served as a base for privateers with letters of marque to raid enemy vessels.
Royal Escape
A dramatic royal connection occurred in 1651 when the future King Charles II fled through Shoreham while escaping to France after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester. This event, known as the "Royal Escape," remains a noteworthy chapter in the port's history. Local lore suggests King Charles II stayed in a cottage by Southwick Green during this escape.
Naval Contribution
By the late 1600s, Shoreham was contributing significantly to naval power, with ten men-of-war warships built for the Royal Navy in 1695-1696 alone. However, harbor silting remained problematic. A 1698 Navy Board survey described the entrance as extremely hazardous, with a "very dry bar" at low tide and "extraordinary quantities of beach in the manner of small islands" obstructing navigation.
18th Century: Re-establishment of the Harbor
1760 Harbour Act
By the mid-18th century, the Adur's mouth had migrated 3½-4 miles east of Shoreham, emptying near what is now Hove. A pivotal moment came in 1760 when an Act of Parliament established the Shoreham Harbour Commission and authorized cutting a new entrance through the shingle bank at Kingston. This intervention marked Shoreham's formal designation as a Trust Port, governed by commissioners for local benefit.
Initial Success
On a June day in 1760, 21 local gentlemen met at the Star Inn in New Shoreham to launch the project. The initial engineering involved digging a channel and constructing two timber piers. While the 1760 excavation initially succeeded and ship traffic multiplied, a powerful storm in 1763 destroyed the piers, and silting resumed.
1816 New Act
By 1815, the entrance had drifted about 1½ miles east despite periodic repairs. A more permanent solution came through the 1816 Harbour Act, which empowered a complete rebuild with input from renowned engineer John Rennie.
1821 Permanent Solution
In 1821, a new, permanent harbor entrance was constructed at Kingston with improved piers. This 1821 entrance—essentially the mouth of Shoreham Harbour as we know it today—finally tamed the Adur's wandering course.
Victorian Expansion and Industrial Change
Railway Connection
The arrival of the railway in 1840 connected the port to a vast hinterland. A legal quay for customs was established in 1835, and by the 1840s, the port handled about 1,000 vessels annually, carrying approximately 100,000 tons of goods.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Major infrastructure improvements included a new lighthouse at the harbor mouth in 1846, and in 1854-1855, the eastern arm was dredged and canalized with a lock constructed at the entrance, creating a sheltered basin separate from the tidal river.
Industrial Development
Industrial development clustered around the harbor: Portslade gasworks was built in 1870, followed by chemical works, shipyards, timber yards, saw-mills, and even a soap factory. Shoreham's strategic value was recognized through the construction of Kingston Redoubt (Shoreham Fort) in 1855-1857, part of the Palmerston-era defenses against potential French invasion.
Governance Change
In 1873, the port's management was reorganized under a board of trustees, making Shoreham officially a Trust Port run for the local benefit. The trustees were largely representatives of local authorities.
Early 20th Century: Bungalow Town and Aviation
Bungalow Town
Shoreham Beach gained fame as "Bungalow Town," a bohemian colony of house-like beach huts and converted railway carriages. Around 1912, it became home to one of Britain's first film studios – filmmaker Francis L. Lyndhurst's Sunny South Film Company – which produced silent movies on Shoreham Beach. This established Shoreham as an early hub of British cinema history.
Aviation History
Shoreham's association with aviation began in 1911 when Shoreham Airport (now Brighton City Airport) opened, earning the title of Britain's oldest licensed airfield. Its distinctive Art Deco terminal building, completed in 1936, is itself a heritage piece and has been used as a period film location.
World War I
During World War I (1914-1918), Shoreham Harbor served as a base for minor naval vessels and shipbuilding of small craft. Although not a front-line port, it contributed to the war effort through production of barges and support ships. In 1910, the town's status was elevated as it became the Urban District of Shoreham-by-Sea.
Modern Era and Community Life
Current Population
Today, Shoreham-by-Sea stands as a vibrant coastal town of approximately 23,700 residents with a unique identity shaped by its maritime heritage. The town maintains its distinct character while embracing modern development.
Cultural Events
Shoreham hosts regular events and festivals that connect residents to their maritime heritage: Beach Dreams Festival (Sussex's longest-running community festival), Shoreham Wordfest (annual literary and arts festival), and award-winning Farmers' & Art Markets. The Ropetackle Arts Centre serves as a renowned community-run venue.
Community Groups
Shoreham has numerous active clubs – sailing and yacht clubs on the River Adur, Shoreham FC (founded 1882), rowing and kayaking groups, and various hobby clubs. The Shoreham Society hosts town meetings and heritage walks, while environmental groups like Friends of Shoreham Beach run conservation activities.
Unique Local Culture
Houseboat Community
Perhaps Shoreham's most visually striking subculture is its houseboat colony along the River Adur. Over 50 houseboats, created from old barges, tugboats, torpedo boats, and other repurposed vessels, line the riverbank – each one a work of art in itself. This eclectic floating neighborhood has been called "Britain's Wackiest Street" and a "labyrinthine dream afloat."
Shoreham Beach Nature Reserve
Shoreham Beach is designated as a Local Nature Reserve for its rare vegetated shingle habitat. The beach's unique flora (such as sea kale, thrift, and rare orchids growing among the pebbles) is supported by the Friends of Shoreham Beach group. This environmental haven showcases Shoreham's commitment to preserving its natural heritage.
Maritime Culture
As a port town, Shoreham maintains a working harbor alongside its fishing community and sailing enthusiasts. The RNLI Shoreham Lifeboat Station continues a life-saving tradition with dramatic rescue stories. Historically, Shoreham was known for smuggling in the 18th century, with the "Kingston Buci" area having a blockade station in the 1750s to combat smugglers.
Heritage Sites and Museums
Marlipins Museum
Located on Shoreham High Street, the Marlipins Museum is housed in a rare 12th-century stone building and showcases local maritime and social history. With its distinctive checkerboard pattern of flint and Caen stone, the building itself is a Grade II* listed structure.
St. Mary de Haura Church
This grand Norman church, consecrated by 1103, stands as one of the finest examples of transitional Norman-Gothic architecture. Now Grade I listed, it anchors Shoreham's historic town center and serves as a reminder of the town's medieval prosperity.
Shoreham Fort
Completed around 1857 as part of the Palmerston-era defenses, Shoreham Fort (also known as Kingston Redoubt) still stands at the river mouth. The Friends of Shoreham Fort run tours and WWII reenactments during heritage events, making this coastal defense structure accessible to the public.