As someone who grew up on the Sunshine Coast of Eastbourne, you think I’d have realised it sooner: this town is beaut! Ever since its beginnings as a Victorian seaside resort, people have been flocking to Eastbourne in droves- it’s all that sea air, you see. Good for the lungs. And with the popularity of UK staycations growing and growing, this trend has continued. My instagram inbox is full of people asking what the best things to do in Eastbourne are, so I’ve finally decided to bite the bullet and write it all down in one handy blog post.
Don’t say I don’t treat ya.
(Updated 2024.)
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Where to stay in Eastbourne
As a popular seaside resort since the dawn of time (sort of), Eastbourne is filled with beautiful hotels. And luckily, there are far more than just the Fawlty Towers-style establishments I worked in here as a teenager.
The beautiful Port Hotel is in a Victorian building not far from the pier, and the owners are doing an incredible job of propelling the town’s outdated image into the 21st century. The combination of its clean modern decor, wonderful service, and a restaurant serving mouthwatering locally sourced dishes, wines and delectable cocktails make for a memorable boutique stay. Get a room with a sea view to truly make the most of the sunshine coast. You won’t regret it, pals.
The Ravilious is a wonderfully welcoming boutique hotel near the Devonshire Park Tennis Courts, about five minutes walk from the train station. The hotels eight bedrooms are part of an old townhouse which has been refurbished beautifully; and I’m told the breakfasts are great.
For pure luxury or a special occasion head to The Grand, Eastbourne’s only five star hotel. This resplendent white palace isn’t far from Holywell Beach and the start of the South Downs Way, and not only are the rooms lovely, but the hotel also has two restaurants and some beautiful gardens. The spa is fantastic (I’ll vouch for that), and there’s a pretty outdoor pool to splash about in during summer.
Head to an Eastbourne beach
Out of all the things to do in Eastbourne, this is surely the most obvious. The beach is the whole reason the town is so popular, after all.
First things first, in case you were wondering if Eastbourne has sandy beaches- it doesn’t. Three miles of pebble beach stretch all the way from the harbour area at Langney Point, right the way past the Pier, and onwards to the bottom of the cliffs at Holywell. (And at low tide, you can go on even further).
The beach between the pier and the bandstand is generally the busiest- partly because its so easily accessible, and partly because there are several beach bars and cafes directly next to the sea. It’s also super easy to get from here to the tonnes of restaurants along Terminus Road. And as a bonus- there are public toilets galore along this particular stretch of beach!
Glory glory hallelujah!!!
The area to the left of the pier can still get busy, but is also fairly accessible due to the parking directly on the road. (It’s also a prime stretch of beach if you want to pick up an ice cream from the ever popular Fusciardi Ice Cream Parlour). If you want some beaut beachfront dining in Eastbourne, head to The Beach Deck which is at this end of the beach. The food here is delicious, and I’m a big fan of their chowder in particular.
Well done on your chowder, Beach Deck.
For fancier food options on Eastbourne seafront, check out Port Hotel; you can’t miss it because its exterior is painted completely black. The menu changes throughout the seasons, and there’s a veritable selection of cocktails if it’s only drinks you’re after.
Related: A Day at Dungeness, the UK’s Only Desert
But my personal favourite beach in Eastbourne is all the way at the Western end of the seafront- Holywell Beach. Whilst its the least accessible- you’ll need to walk down some zig-zagging pathways to reach it- Holywell is without a doubt also the most beautiful. Nestled underneath the cliffs that are the beginnings of the South Downs National Park, on sunny days this little beach can look practically Mediterranean.
There’s nothing quite like tricking yourself into thinking you’re in Greece when you’re in England, is there!?
Swimming at Holywell is a joy on a sunny day, and it’s also the best place for rock pooling in Eastbourne. (I’d recommend getting some sea shoes for that. Mainly because I don’t have any myself, and am consistently stabbing my feet in the process of hunting for rockpool creatures.) The Holywell Tea Chalet is open seven days a week for food, drinks and ice cream, there are public toilets available, and if you fancy a spot of history, keep your eyes peeled for the beach hut used by King George V and Queen Mary.
Check out the Towner art gallery
You can’t miss the Towner Art Gallery, thanks to the gigantic kaleidoscopic rainbow installation on one side of its outside walls. If I was going to write a list of the most instagrammable locations in Eastbourne, this wall would be at number one. However, that is not what I’m all about.
So we’ll just skip over that one and pretend I never mentioned it…
…because The Towner is a place I would highly recommend stepping inside and having an actual look around, not just taking a picture in front of.
The gallery always features a varied selection of exhibits, and as an added bonus it’s completely free to visit! For a beaut spot to get a coffee, drinks, or a bite to eat, head to their restaurant Light on the top floor. The Scandinavian-style menu features a host of delectable treats, and if you’re lucky enough to get a table on the terrace outside, you’ll have a great view and dazzling sunshine to boot.
The Towner was also selected to host 2023’s Turner Prize; it’s kind of a big deal.
Independent coffee shops
Talking of coffee, Eastbourne is full of independent coffee shops to check out. And we all know I’m a true fan of shopping local instead of hitting the closest Starbucks/Costa.
Top of my list is Nelson Coffee Co. near Eastbourne train station. Owners Lucy and Ben are serious coffee fanatics who named their shop after a city in Canada with the friendliest local vibe they’d ever witnessed! Not only have they managed to recreate this brilliant atmosphere at Nelson Coffee, but the drinks and food are amazing.
Urban Ground were the first on the Eastbourne coffee scene and these guys have two sleekly designed premises in the town centre- I highly recommend getting a pastel de nata to go with your brilliantly crafted coffee. And call me basic but I just can’t get enough of their avocado on sourdough toast.
Grove Road is dotted with a plethora of intriguing independent shops if you fancy a caffeine crawl. Doc Coffee is in a great location opposite the library, and Hyde Corner sells coffee, cakes and a beautiful selection of magazines in their spacious corner setting.
Walk from Eastbourne to Beachy Head (or beyond)
The red and white striped Beachy Head lighthouse is a classic symbol of Eastbourne, and to reach it you just need to follow the cliffs to the west of the town for around half an hour to forty five minutes. It all depends on your walking speed and the route you take. Once at the top, stop at Cadence Cafe’s little hut for a coffee with a view.
(You could also just drive up to the Beachy Head Pub and take a look from there, but walking is way more rewarding, you know!?)
Looking for more walks in the area: The Best Eastbourne Walks
Beachy Head is right at the edge of the South Downs National Park. On an overcast day it can seem rather barren- lots of rolling hills and the occasional gnarled tree, all of them twisted in one direction from the constant beatings of the wind. But in the sunshine these hills are stunning, and this area of chalk downland is teeming with wildlife.
If you feel like challenging yourself even more, keep going towards Belle Tout Lighthouse (which is now a BnB, having been moved back from the eroding cliff edge several times during its life). Just beyond this is Birling Gap, where a staircase leads directly on to the beach. And even further than that, if you follow the road around, is the village of East Dean. The green in front of the 16th century Tiger Inn is an idyllic place to cool down with a drink after all that rambling, and in winter the pub has a roaring fire inside to warm yourself by.
It’s just so very English, you know!?
After a longer walk: How to hike the Seven Sisters
Get all sporty on the water
Back to the beach you guys. I am not the sportiest of people, however earlier this year I tried stand up paddle boarding here in Eastbourne, and I absolutely blooming’ loved it.
Luckily I have a pal with a spare SUP, but there are also several spots in Eastbourne which hire water sports equipment. The most well-known of these is Buzz Active (once known as Spray Watersports). They hire kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and windsurfs by the hour, and also provide tuition.
What about South-West England? Six Things to do in South Devon
Buzz Active also has a centre at Cuckmere Haven (that stunning meandering river which runs out to sea a bit further along the Downs). The river is completely flat and pretty shallow, so makes a great spot to practice, as well as being downright beautiful.
Get afternoon tea
Eastbourne began its life as a Victorian seaside resort, and in the spirit of history I do declare that you HAVE to get afternoon tea in a Victorian seafront hotel if you’re visiting the town.
For those readers not familiar with the English way of life, afternoon tea is an English INSTITUTION.
Scones with clotted cream and jam, a selection of very tiny sandwiches, a few different varieties of cake, a pot of tea and if you want to go all the way, a glass of bubbly should be consumed as well. And when in Eastbourne, if you want to make a big deal out of it, you should probably head to the Grand Hotel.
The Grand Hotel is the only five star seaside hotel in England, and its majestic atmosphere is a brilliant place to enjoy all the cakes and tea.
Eat fish and chips on the beach
I couldn’t possibly write a post about the best things to do in Eastbourne without mentioning fish and chips. It just wouldn’t be right. First and foremost, if you want the best fish and chips in Eastbourne, steer clear of the fish and chip chain restaurants. (Sorry, Mr Ramsden. You scallywag.).
The best fish and chip shop in Eastbourne (in my opinion) is the Holiday Inn, between the seafront and the theatres. Qualisea, on the corner of Terminus Road and Seaside Road, and the Dolphin Fish Bar on Seaside, are also good options for fish and chips in Eastbourne. Both are a block from the seafront, and both serve absolutely delicious fresh fish and chips.
My mouth is watering just thinking about it, despite the fact it’s 9o’clock in the morning and nowhere near dinner time.
And whilst I do strongly believe that fish and chips should be consumed on the beach, with a glorious view of the English Channel, here’s a word of warning, pals.
BEWARE OF THE SEAGULLS. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT FEED THEM.
Seagulls in Eastbourne are some of the most cutthroat and heartless seagulls I’ve ever experienced. I’ve lost count of the number of times a seagull has plucked my dinner clean out of my hands, and have witnessed a number of muggings on the seafront. Alas. I even once witnessed a seagull steal an ice cream from a baby.
So, stay alert and cover your food. They are always on the prowl.
Watch a show in one of Eastbourne’s theatres
For a not particularly big town, Eastbourne has a surprising abundance of theatres to choose from. Three of these are in the Devonshire Quarter, Eastbourne’s so-called cultural centre.
The Congress Theatre is the big one, normally host to large-scale touring productions. The Devonshire Park is a beautiful little Victorian theatre which generally hosts plays and the town’s annual pantomime. And the Winter Gardens- which has been both a ballroom and an ice rink in its time, is fast becoming more of an events venue. To see what’s on, look at Eastbourne Theatres website.
The Royal Hippodrome is the oldest of Eastbourne’s theatres- it was built in 1883- and the current owners have done an incredible job of breathing new life into this stunning building.
Have a browse of Camilla’s Bookshop
I just love this place, you guys! Camilla’s Bookshop on Grove Road is a unique secondhand bookseller literally crammed to the rafters with stacks and stacks of books. (Some of them are actually quite impossible to reach for that reason.)
I’m always drawn to their extensive collection of old maps and postcards, but you can find a book on just about any topic here. And as an added bonus, on the upstairs floor you can often find an old parrot who hangs out in the window, making customers jump out of their skin when he says hello.
(This is a true story: it is an actual real life parrot.)
Check out an Eastbourne pub
Eastbourne is filled with brilliant pubs to enjoy a beverage or a traditional pub meal in. And I am definitely not talking about Wetherspoons.
In Meads, The Ship and The Pilot are both little gems. Either on a summers day in the beer gardens, but also in winter when they become two of the cosiest places in town. (The Pilot also has a brilliant menu, if it’s food you’re after.)
The Stage Door is the pre- and post- theatre pub, nestled in amongst three of Eastbourne’s biggest theatres. It serves delicious home-cooked meals including plenty of vegan options, and has a big old selection of beers, gins and wines. And in my humble opinion that it’s also one of the top places in the town centre to catch a sunset. The view from the back of the pub across the Devonshire Park tennis courts is wonderful, especially as the sky turns pink and orange at the end of the day.
In the centre of Eastbourne, on South Street, you’ll find a whole mixture of pubs old and new. Back in the day a popular evening activity was to complete the South Street Shuffle, a crawl of every pub on this road. (I say back in the day, but you might as well continue the tradition, let’s face it.) And for the oldest pub in Eastbourne check out The Lamb in Old Town, which started life all the way back in 1180.
During winter in Eastbourne, you need to check out The Marine on Seaside. These guys go ALL OUT in the spirit of Christmas, with the entire interior of the pub shrouded in glistening decorations. It’s truly a sight to behold, and people flock here in droves to get in to the Christmas spirit.
Eat at an Eastbourne restaurant
Guys. There is absolutely no point visiting somewhere and sticking to the same chain restaurants that you stick to every other day of your life, is there? And Eastbourne is full of delightful little gems to try out.
Skylark is a town centre eatery which does a great job of providing locally-sourced meals, serving beautiful plates in a relaxed atmosphere.
An absolute Eastbourne institution is Yummy Noodle Bar, right next to the train station. Freshly cooked noodles, rice and curry dishes are all prepared right in front of you and at lightening speed, and I’m a true fan of these guys. Thai Marina is a more formal location for some delicious food, at the Waterfront in Sovereign Harbour.
Further along the coast: A Guide to Exploring Rye, East Sussex
Pomodoro e Mozzarella is the best place in Eastbourne for Italian food; this restaurant seems to always be busy, and the portion sizes are mahoosive. And for Greek head to Gr/eat restaurant and deli. Put bluntly- you could basically eat your way around the world in Eastbourne, without ever leaving. These are just a tiny weeny selection of the brilliant restaurants the town has to offer, and to stumble upon something yourself, the best areas to check out are Grove Road, Terminus Road (the end closest to the seafront), and the waterfront at Sovereign Harbour.
Pick up some treats from the best bakery in town
Maybe this one could be included under the ‘independent coffee shops’ section, as they do some truly delectable coffee, but what To the Rise is most skilled at is baking.
The artisan bakery, at the seafront end of Terminus Road, is run by three sisters- who do a fantastic job of baking Eastbourne’s finest loaves and sweet treats. This is one of my favourite local businesses in town, and I’m particularly a fan of their Scandinavian-style cardamom buns. Glorious.
Marvel at the Victorian Architecture
A stroll along the seafront is actually pretty darn lovely, aside from the sea air in your lungs and the sun in your face, because the architecture is rather splendid.
From the crowning jewel of Eastbourne pier with it’s golden domes and wooden boardwalk stretching away from the beach, to the turquoise-roofed bandstand. People have strolled along this little promenade for over a hundred years. So Eastbourne is clearly doing something right.
Even the hotels along the seafront add to the nostalgic atmosphere, whether the pastel coloured buildings to one end or up towards the big white palace of the Grand Hotel. There’s something kind of beautiful about it all.
(Although, insider tip, check out my favourite deli in Eastbourne in a row of Victorian buildings right behind the Grand Hotel- Hudson’s Fine Food Store. And this is next to the beaut Levels Wine Bar– a great place for an evening glass of wine. So ya know, stock up on your groceries and then head right next door for a beverage. Why not, for goodness’ sake!?)
The best things to do near Eastbourne
There are so many pretty villages, countryside walks and interesting towns to discover near Eastbourne, whether by car, bus or train.
The village of Alfriston is well worth a visit, filled with tea rooms, pubs and surrounded by paths through the countryside. If you’re up for a challenge, you could even walk the South Downs Way all the way from Eastbourne to Alfriston. Firle is a great place for an afternoon walk and a cozy village atmosphere, with many houses selling homegrown vegetables, flowers and jams with honesty boxes from the front. And a walk to the Long Man at Wilmington is also a beaut way to spend an afternoon if you’re up for some outdoor time. No-one exactly knows how the chalk man-carved-into-the-hill got there, but you’ll often spot a few druids roaming the area so make of that what you will.
The beautiful town of Lewes isn’t too far away by train or car. This badboy is famous for its gigantic bonfire celebrations every November 5th, when giant burning crucifixes are carried though the town in memory of the Sussex martyrs. I’m telling you now- the flaming parade of Lewes Bonfire is a SIGHT TO BEHOLD.
For some beaut countryside cycling routes, head to nearby Arlington Reservoir or the Cuckoo Trail. Friston Forest is a brilliant place for a walk (although it’s pretty big and I’ve got lost here several times.) Abbot’s Wood near Polegate is a lovely woodland with loads of spaces for picnics and barbecues- and is a little closer to Eastbourne.
Related: A Day Trip to Brighton
Further along the coastline is the far more bustling city of Brighton, and in the opposite direction is Hastings and St Leonards. St Leonards is becoming way more of an exciting place to be these days, filling up with coffee culture, antique shops and local boutiques. If you’re heading to Hastings I’d recommend heading straight to the Old Town and Rockanore Beach, for an olde world seaside vibe with fishing huts galore. And just a bit further along (about an hour on the train) is the quaint port town of Rye, filled with cobblestone streets lined with Tudor houses.
So you see guys: it turns out that Eastbourne is actually quite the picturesque location. Who knew!? And its perfect location next to the South Downs of Sussex couldn’t be more ideal, with so much to explore that it really does make a great location for a UK staycation.
LOGISTICAL STATISTICALS
- Eastbourne is super easy to get to from London. Southern Rail trains run every half hour from London Victoria to Eastbourne. (Although honestly, these are overpriced, particularly at peak time. Beware and book in advance if possible to make a saving.)
Fantastic post. A brilliant insight into the nuts and bolts of the vibrant town of Eastbourne. I’m sure our Airbnb visitors would find your post extremely informative as I have.
Thanks so much for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed it. (Let me know if you think I missed anything out!) Feel free to share among your guests 🙂