Eastbourne visitor information

An Introduction to Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a large town and borough of East Sussex, on the south coast of England. The area has seen human activity since the Stone Age and it remained one of small settlements until the 19th century when its four hamlets gradually merged to form a town. Assisted by the arrival of the railway, Eastbourne became a prime Victorian seaside resort and still is today.

Eastbourne is situated at the eastern end of the South Downs alongside the famous Beachy Head cliff. The sheltered position of the main town behind the cliff contributes to Eastbourne's title of sunniest place in Great Britain.

Eastbourne is essentially a seaside resort and derives its main income from tourism. Its facilities include four theatres, numerous parks, a bandstand and museums. The focus of the tourism trade is the four miles (6 km) of shingle beach, lined with a seafront of hotels and guest houses.

Activities of interest in Eastbourne

Eastbourne is best known for its magnificent beaches. The Victorian pier, built in the 1870s, has restaurants and cafes along its length as well as an entertainment centre. Eastbourne's Old Town area, which lies on the north-westerly outskirts of the town centre, is home to a group of antique shops and historic buildings. Here you will find the 16th century Lamb Inn, reputedly one of the oldest hostelries in Britain.

There are also museums and art galleries, the most visited of these being the Military Museum, which is part of the Redoubt Fortress and houses some important collections. The 'How We Lived Then' Museum of Shops is also a charming attraction.

Just outside of Eastbourne, Pevensey Castle and the Mint House are worth visiting, while the Towner Gallery contains works by a number of world-famous artists, including Henry Moore and Picasso.

Getting to Eastbourne

By Car: Eastbourne is connected to London by the A22 road, traffic for Brighton and Hove and Hastings uses the nearby A27 road.

By Train: The main railway station is situated in the town centre and is served by the East Coastway Line. Regular services are to London Victoria, Gatwick Airport, Hastings and Ashford International (Eurostar) as well as a commuter service to Brighton. Trains leave from London Victoria to Eastbourne with a journey time of approximately 90 minutes.

By Coach: National Express coaches depart for Eastbourne from London Victoria coach station three times a day. www.nationalexpress.com

By Bus: Stagecoach runs local bus routes across Eastbourne with links to Tunbridge Wells and along the coast to Hastings and into Kent. Tel: 0871 200 22 33. 

By Air: Gatwick international airport is approximately an hour from Eastbourne by road or rail. The M23/A27 route connects Gatwick to Eastbourne. Heathrow international airport is on the M25 which connects with the A22 at junction 6. Or you can take the underground (Piccadilly line) to London Victoria and catch a train to Eastbourne.