Local Information

"Eastbourne is a stylish and elegant Victorian resort, featuring eight miles of coastline sheltered by national beauty spot downland - a great setting to enjoy a fantastic variety of activities, pursuits and top class events. The classic parade of Victorian hotels overlooks exquisite floral displays along the seafront." From Eastbourne Borough Council Tourist Brochure

Airbourne
Airbourne - Eastbourne's FREE airshow held at the seafront every year. The gound displays are held on the Western Lawns opposite the Grand Hotel. But there are stalls and activities right along the seafront. Thousands of people attend and every year is bigger than the last. There are also Tornados, WWII aircraft, the Red Arrows and much more. The show takes place on either the second or third weekend in August. To get more detailed information about the next Airbourne, go here.

Arndale Centre
Arndale Centre - All the high street stores you expect such as Boots, Sainsburys, Currys Digital, Starbucks and more in a naturally lit shopping complex in the centre of town.

Bandstand



Bandstand - Regular performances throughout the summer by a variety of musicians and bands at this 1930s building. It's on the promenade between the pier and Wish Tower slope.To find out more about the bandstand, what's on and how to book tickets, please visit the website here
Viewpoint
Beach - Award winning, safe and clean beaches stretching from Holywell in the west, past the pier and on to Sovereign Harbour in the east. The beach is mostly shingle so you won't get sand in your sandwiches or on your ice cream! It can make it difficult to walk barefoot to the sea though.


Beachy Head Lighthouse


Beachy Head - Stunning views from these world famous white chalk cliffs to the lighthouse below, built in 1902. Read more here. Allchorn Pleasure Boats run trips to the lighthouse leaving from near Eastbourne pier. Their website is here
Carpet Gardens
Carpet Gardens - The flagship of Eastbourne's seafront gardens, capturing the elegance of Victorian bedding and floral sculpture.


Dotto Train - Fun train rides for all the family, taking you from one end of the seafront to the other. 
Enterprise Centre
Enterprise Centre - Local businesses and smaller specialist shops in this attractively converted railway depot. Right next to the railway station on Terminus Road the centre makes a interesting alterbative to the big, well-known stores in the Arndale Centre.

999 Emergency Services Display
999 Emergency Services Display - Eastbourne's local emergency service teams demonstrate how they carry out sea and land rescues, fight crime and extinguish fires. Takes place in July or August eash year on the Western Lawns.
Golf - Eastbourne has four golf clubs.

The Grand Hotel
Hotels - There are plenty of hotels to choose from catering for all budgets. Go here to see a list. Go here for hotel photos.

Holywell - At the far western end of the promenade is Holywell. Nestling at the foot of the South Downs there is a sunken Italian garden and a cafe to revive yourself for the walk back.

International English Schools - Thousands of foreign students come to Eastbourne every year to learn or improve their English. This makes for a lively, vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere in the town.

Devonshire Park Tennis
International Tennis - In June every year the top female tennis players in the world meet in Eastbourne for the pre Wimbledon tournament. Go here to see photos of the tournament. 

The Lamb Inn - Purported to be the oldest hostelry in Britain, The Lamb sits beside St. Mary's Church in Old Town and now runs as a theatrical venue, as it did in the eighteenth century. Apparently Charles Dickens himself took part in productions at The Lamb. It is a beautiful building and well worth a visit at the same time as visiting the 12th century church next door.

Meads - At the foot of Beachy Head to the west of the centre is the pleasant, quiet Meads Village. Stop for tea and stroll round the small shops.

St. Mary's Church, Old Town
Old Town - The original town of East Bourne with the source of the River Bourne in Motcombe Park and the old Towner Art Gallery. (The Towner has now moved to Devonshire Park. Look here.) Go for lunch at The Lamb and visit the 12th century St. Mary's church. Head for The Goffs. 

Holywell Promenade
Promenade - Spanning the entire 5 mile length of the seafront, from Sovereign Harbour in the east to Holywell at the foot of Beachy Head in the west. The promenade has three tiers in places.

Sovereign Harbour - New development to the east of the centre offering shops, restaurants, cinema and mooring facilities. Go here to see their website.

Eastbourne Pier
Pier - Built around 1866. With a nightclub, pub, amusement arcade, shops and speedboat rides, the pier offers a multitude of options.

Population - 87 000 approx. To find out about education, housing and politics in Eastbourne, go here.

Pubs and Clubs - Plenty to choose from. TJ's, Atlantis, and Kings are the main clubs. Here is a list of pubs.

Railway - Two trains every hour to London Victoria, Brighton and Hastings. For further travel information go here.

Redoubt Fortress
Redoubt Fortress - Built in 1806 it was originally part of the Napolionic costal defences. Now a military museum housing objects covering 300 years of conflict. Head east of the pier.

Restaurants - The are numerous restaurants catering for all tastes, from English home cooking to Peking and Szechuan cuisine. Head for Terminus Road. Photos here. Type restaurants here.

Eastbourne Extreme
Eastbourne Extreme - Previously known as 'Skate' this was Englands Biggest skate event. Trade stalls, demonstrations at the Skate Park and along the promenade, live bands and more. The event is now called Eastbourne Extreme and has added sailing, windsurfing and other water sports to the weekend's activities. Visit the official Eastbourne Extreme website.

South Downs - The Seven Sisters, Cuckmere Valley and beyond. It all begins in Eastbourne. Beautiful countryside and exhilarating walks, through local villages like Jevington and on to Seaford.

Wish Tower
Theatres - Four major theatres, The Congress, Devonshire Park, Winter Garden and Royal Hippodrome are all within walking distance of the town centre. Go here to see what's on.

Towner Contemporary Art Museum - Formerly the Towner Art Gallery based in Old Town, Towner is now housed in a brand new modern building next to the Congress Theatre in Devonshire Park.

Wish Tower - Costal look out and landmark during Napoleon's reign. Built in 1804 it now houses a small museum. To find out more about the Martello Towers go here.