Shoreham Port
A historic maritime partnership spanning centuries, from medieval origins to modern commercial significance
Origins and Medieval Era (11th–15th Centuries)
Early Development
Shoreham's port location has been utilized for maritime activity since at least the medieval period, possibly as early as Roman times. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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 Port
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.
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.
Southwick: A Harbor Community
Early History
The area has Roman origins, with a substantial villa discovered under Manor Hall Road. By the Domesday Book (1086), it was recorded as "Esmerewick," a small hamlet. The name "Southwick" first appeared in records by 1309. The coastal area (Fishersgate) gained notoriety for maritime activity and smuggling by the 18th century.
19th Century Development
The 19th century brought significant changes: the opening of Shoreham Harbour's east arm brought commerce to Southwick's coast, the railway arrived in 1840, and Southwick was designated an Urban District in 1899, with its own Town Hall built in 1906.
Modern Southwick
Today, Southwick maintains its distinct identity while benefitting from its harbor connection. Population (2021): approximately 9,463. The town's economy includes industrial sector jobs at the harbor and Shoreham Power Station (now a 420 MW gas-fired facility). Notable landmarks include St Michael and All Angels Church and the Barn Theatre.
Modern Era and Regeneration
Current Operations
Following the decline of coal and heavy industry, Shoreham Port diversified its operations: timber imports became a mainstay, bulk aggregates formed a major component of trade, steel handling established Shoreham as an entry point for European steel, and fishing activity made it one of Britain's top three fishing ports by volume of fish landed.
Environmental Initiatives
Shoreham Port has been accredited as an "EcoPort" (one of only two in the UK) and has set an ambitious target to become carbon neutral by 2035. Initiatives include wind turbines on the harbor estate, solar panels, greener equipment, and recycling projects.
Community Integration
Today, Shoreham Port continues as a thriving trust port playing a vital role in the regional economy. As one of only 53 trust ports in the UK, it has no shareholders and is not government-owned, instead operating for stakeholder benefit and reinvesting profits. The directly employed workforce doubled from about 100 in 2010 to over 200 by 2020.
Regeneration Projects
Free Wharf Development
One flagship project is the Free Wharf development on Shoreham's Western Harbour Arm, converting a disused commercial wharf into a residential area with nearly 600 homes, new public riverside access, and strengthened flood protection. As of 2025, this scheme is well underway with substantial investment.
Joint Area Action Plan
The Shoreham Harbour Regeneration programme—a partnership of local authorities and the Port Authority—launched a Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) in 2019 that envisions transforming parts of the harbor by 2031 into "a vibrant, thriving waterfront destination."
Future Development
Recent developments include the Southwick Reef Project, an environmental initiative enhancing marine biodiversity along the harbor wall. The port authority's Masterplan delineates which areas remain devoted to cargo and marine uses and which can be released for development, ensuring a balance between commercial operations and community benefits.