Fun French Town Quest

Families “virtually board” Newhaven–Dieppe ferry in All Abroad! Bus’

Families from Newhaven and across Sussex embraced a spirit of adventure this February half term as they took part in the first Fun French Town Quest sessions – guided, interactive walking trails around Newhaven, celebrating the town’s French connections past and present and its role as a vibrant cross‑Channel gateway.

The Quest invited children and their adults to explore Newhaven at a relaxed, curious pace. Starting from the Tourist Information Centre, families solved clues and listened to tales and trivia, from the town down to West Quay and the marina. Each session unfolded differently, shaped by the time of day, the ferry timetable, the weather and the energy of the group, with a couple of memorable moments watching the Seven Sisters ferry depart, and playing pétanque in the sunshine by The Hope Inn. Yet all sessions shared a common thread – a curiosity – and even surprise about Newhaven and its links to French history, culture and language.

A virtual finale at Newhaven Port

Whilst a French pastry along the route was definitely a hit, the true highlight of the Quest took place inside the passenger departures lounge at Newhaven Ferry Port, where families stepped into an immersive 360° virtual reality (VR) experience transporting them straight to Dieppe. Children – and more than a few curious adults – found themselves feeling like they were really travelling on the ferry and “arriving” in this vibrant French town within moments, spotting the harbour, browsing the bustling Saturday market and exploring many of both its iconic and everyday sights and sounds.

For many, the ferry suddenly felt real, convenient and exciting. Some reminisced about past trips, others chatted about upcoming ones, and all left talking enthusiastically about taking the ferry soon, as soon as possible!

One father reported “[My son] enjoyed himself thanks, and you’ve inspired him to visit France! We both enjoyed it. Well done!”

Changing perceptions – and inspiring future travellers

The Fun French Town Quest builds on the success of the All Abroad! Newhaven <> Dieppe 360°, an immersive event held in both Newhaven and Dieppe in Autumn 2025 as part of the 200‑year celebrations of the ferry line – made possible with the support of Lewes District Council. As well as bringing French language and culture to life, these All Abroad! Bus experiences are helping people to connect with the Newhaven–Dieppe ferry route in a new way – inspiring future crossings while showcasing Newhaven not just as a port to pass through, but as a destination in its own right and an easy, welcoming gateway to Europe.

Founder of All Abroad! Bus and guide for the Quest sessions, Julia Vogado, said:

“It’s been wonderful watching children aged 6 to teens and their families discover all the connections our local port town has to France and realise just how much Newhaven has to offer. The VR experience at the port was the icing on the cake, as it gave them that moment of ‘We could actually go there, from right here!’  We’re hugely grateful to Newhaven Port for supporting this part of the experience and helping make it feel so authentic.”