Eastbourne, in East Sussex, prides itself on being the sunniest place in the UK. Whether it is or not doesn’t really matter because it also happens to be the gateway to the dramatic scenery of the South Downs and Sussex coast, with a buzzing cultural scene, beautiful architecture and some fabulous foodie hotspots.
The town has a long history, so long in fact there are the remains of a Roman bath and a Roman villa under its streets. William the Conqueror’s half-brother arrived after the Norman conquest and thereafter the area gradually developed with a market, a manor house and a church. You can still visit the old church in Eastbourne Old Town.
The 18th century saw the town begin to make the move to becoming a fashionable seaside resort with visits from King George III’s children in 1780. But it was the arrival of the railway in 1849 that saw Eastbourne emerge as the town it is now and the seafront is still lined with Victorian hotels. And if you want to get away from it all for 48 hours, there is lots to explore.
Friday afternoon arrival
Arrive as early as you can and use the afternoon to get your bearings. Perhaps start at the 19th century pier and walk along the seafront. If you walk south west, look out for the stunning 1930s bandstand where they hold lots of outdoor concerts and musical events.
Carry on towards the hill ahead and you will come to the Martello Tower (Wish Tower) and shortly after that you will be see the Grand Hotel on your right. It’s not hard to see why she’s known as the White Palace. From there you can walk on along the wide seafront promenade all the way to the Holywell Tea Chalet and the Italian Garden. It’s about 2.2 km from the pier. And if you want a real adventure you can walk along the rocky shore to Beachy Head lighthouse. Although it’s not far, it’s a difficult walk that requires careful planning (because of the tides).
Back at the pier, if you walk north east, you can walk to Sovereign Harbour and see another Martello Tower. Perhaps stop for a drink overlooking the marina. This walk is about 4 km from the pier (but don’t forget you have to walk back).
For dinner
Having built up your appetite with all that walking, Bistrot Pierre is right on the seafront with views of the cliffs or try Cru in Hyde Gardens; it’s a wine shop, wine bar and restaurant.
Saturday morning
Start the day with a little culture and a stroll along to the Towner Eastbourne. It opens at 10 am and is an art gallery and education hub. It has one of the most important collections of public art in southern England and hosted the 2023 Turner Prize. Entry is free and they have an ongoing programme of exhibitions. The outside is painted in striking colours, known as Dance Diagonal by German artist Lothar Götz.
Saturday afternoon
You could spend the afternoon exploring the smaller art galleries and shops like Da Vinci Hotel & Art Gallery in Howard Square (an art hotel in a grade II listed building with an art gallery downstairs), Mr Gifts’ Emporium in Terminus Road or Barley Sugar a luxury food, fine wines and antiques shop in Cornfield Terrace. However, it wouldn’t be a visit to Eastbourne without a trip to Beachy Head. You can walk, but it’s easier to hop on a bus from the station.
Beachy Head is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain at 162 m above sea level. From the cliff top, you can see the distinctive red and white lighthouse far below. You can also walk further west along the undulating cliffs to Belle Tout, another lighthouse. In fact, if you’re brave, you can walk along the South Downs Way to Birling Gap and then along the famous Seven Sister cliffs. It’s 7 km and you can catch the bus back from Exceat. Alternatively, just walk back from Beachy Head into Eastbourne via the stunning coastal path.
Saturday evening
Make sure you book tickets for a show. Eastbourne has a number of theatres, including Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park Theatre, the Winter Garden and the Royal Hippodrome Theatre.
For dinner
For fine dining make your way to the Mirabelle Restaunt at The Grand or Port Hotel on the seafront.
Sunday morning
Time to explore the wider area. North west of Eastbourne, you’ll find Michelham Priory just outside the town of Hailsham and the village of Upper Dicker. The priory was founded in the 13th century and the rooms are set up to reflect different eras in its history. There are also extensive grounds and gardens to explore, including the kitchen, Physic and Medieval gardens. There is an ongoing programme of events here and look out for some of the sculptures.
Sunday afternoon
Head to Alfriston next. This hopelessly pretty village has dozens of historic buildings lining the streets and is a great place for a bite to eat. The Star is famous for its celebrity owner, Alex Polizzi, but there are plenty of other top-notch places to eat. Make sure you visit the bookshop, Much Ado About Books and the village store and then head out to Rathfinny, the nearby vineyard for some wine tasting.
Festivals and fairs
Throughout the year there are number of special festivals held in or near Eastbourne and you might want to coincide your visit with one of these. They include:
- Eastbourne International Film Festival – March
- Beer and Cider by the Sea – May
- Airbourne International Airshow – August
- Eastbourne Steam Punk Festival – September
- Eastbourne Walking Festival – September
- Eastbourne Beer Festival – October
Travel
Mainline trains travel direct from London and Gatwick to Eastbourne. Journey times from London are approx. 1 hour 20 mins.
For more information about Eastbourne:
