SOVEREIGN HARBOUR
EAST SUSSEX 50° 47.3’N, 000° 19.9’E Not one marina, this month, but five – Sovereign Harbour, just outside Eastbourne, East Sussex, comprises five harbours that together provide more than 800 berths and make up the UK’s largest composite marina.
The harbour, formed by dredging gravel pits, was first opened in 1993 and comprises a tidal outer harbour connected by two high-capacity sea locks to four inner harbours, which accommodate a mixture of Premier Marinas berthholders, residents’ boats and local fishing vessels.
Through the sea locks, which are operated 24/7, are the Inner, South, West and North harbours. The Inner Harbour offers both annual and visitor berths. Lifting bridges connect it to the other three harbours, which are used mainly by residents and local fishing vessels.
