Gracie Fields

The connection to Gracie Fields runs deep in Newhaven, though there's no grand museum or visitor centre bearing her name. What you're really doing here is walking in the footsteps of one of Britain's greatest entertainers - the Lancashire lass who became a Hollywood star and spent her final years on the South Coast. Her presence lingers in the town's memory, and locals still talk about her with genuine warmth.

Gracie lived in Sussex from the 1950s onwards, and Newhaven holds that part of her story. It's more about the pilgrimage than the spectacle. You won't find themed attractions or gift shops, which is rather refreshing. Instead, you get a sense of how she retreated from the spotlight to live a quieter life by the sea - something that feels both poignant and oddly inspiring.

History enthusiasts and anyone with a soft spot for British entertainment will find the most reward here. You're looking at a couple of hours at most, wandering the town and soaking up the atmosphere. There's no charge, naturally - it's about personal discovery rather than ticketed attractions.

If you're staying at Three Ponds Holiday Park just down the road, Newhaven makes an easy afternoon excursion. Pair it with a walk along the cliffs or a visit to the harbour and you've got a proper little outing. The town itself is modest but genuine, without the overwrought nostalgia you sometimes get in seaside places.