Tourist Attractions in Eastbourne

A Napoleonic fort on the seafront to the east of the pier is a must of places to visit in Eastbourne. Built between 1803 to 1810, the Fortress housed up to 200 men and features 24 casemates, 10 cannon, 5 caponieres and a dry moat. Originally a Napoleonic defence it was last used as a base for Canadian troops before the D-Day landings.

The Redoubt Museum has a collection ranging from the Crimean War to the modern day Gulf conflict. Entry to the parade ground, gun platform, café and shop is free. Tickets are required for entry to the military museum, casemates, caponier and for specified events.

Open daily 10am – 5pm
Phone: 01323 415641

See the dedicated Beachy Head page here

Eastbourne RNLI Museum tells the story of nearly 200 years of lifeboating in the Sussex resort. The museum is housed in the old Eastbourne lifeboat house, built in 1898. Website is here.

King Edwards Parade,
Eastbourne BN21 4BY
Phone: 01323 730717

Towner is Eastbourne’s museum of art. From its opening in 1923 the Towner Art Gallery was located in an 18th-century manor house in Manor Gardens, in the Old Town district of Eastbourne. In 2009 it relocated to a new state-of-the-art gallery, adjacent to the Eastbourne Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park

Devonshire Park,
College Rd,
Eastbourne
BN21 4JJ
Phone: 01323 434670

Eastbourne Heritage Centre, originally known as Park Cottage, was built in 1880 as the residence for the manager of the Devonshire Park and Baths Company. This charming Grade II listed building was saved from demolition, restored and converted to become the heritage centre. Entirely run by volunteers, it is home to the Eastbourne Society. There is a small charge. Opening times vary so check the website.

2 Carlisle Road,
Eastbourne, BN21 4BT
Phone: 01323 411189
Email: services@eastbourneheritagecentre.co.uk

Climbing frames, go-karts and an aqua park provide outdoor fun, while there is also indoor soft play for the younger children.

Royal Parade,
Eastbourne BN22 7LQ
Open every day 10am – 6pm
Phone: 01323 642833

Family-run adventure park with a miniature railway, wildlife-rich lake area, a playground and cafe.

Lottbridge Drove,
Eastbourne BN23 6QJ
Phone:01323 520229

The Bandstand with attached colonnade and viewing decks was built in 1935 to the designs of the Borough Council Engineer, Leslie Rosevere in a Neo-Grec style. It hosts many concerts each year ranging from traditional brass bands to rock bands and orchestras. Some are free and some are charged. The bandstand is situated on the seafront between the pier and the Wish Tower slope.

Some years ago Bluebird Speedboats operated speedboat rides from the end of the pier. Also, for many, many years the Allchorn Pleasure Boats ran trips to Beachy Head and back from the beach. Sadly those services have be forced to end in recent years.

Now Sussex Voyages run trips and claim to be “the premier marine experience when it comes to boat trips and are the No.1 rated activity in Eastbourne as rated by Trip Advisor.”

At the far end of Eastbourne beach, east of the pier and opposite Fort Fun, is Princes park. It has tennis courts, bowling greens and cafe overlooking a lake with resident swans. There is a safe children’s play area and well maintained floral displays. Very pleasant for a break from the beach, Fort Fun or the Sovereign Centre.

East of the pier located on Royal Parade, Eastbourne Seafront, just past the Redoubt Fortress. Treasure Island has indoor and outdoor play/adventure areas for children of all ages. Visit the website here.
Phone: 01323 411077
Opening:
Indoor: 9.30am-6pm all year through (cafe 10am to 5.30pm)
Outside Park: 10.00am-6pm June-September (weather permitting)
Golf: 9.30am-6pm (weather dependant) call to check if open

Awwww we love the Dotto Train. It’s a little chuffer that wends it’s way along the seafront from Sovereign Harbour in the east all the way to Holywell in the west. Here’s the official speil.

The trains run from Holywell Retreat to the Sovereign Harbour, Atlantic Drive, stopping at Wish Tower slopes, Eastbourne Pier, Fisherman’s Green, Fort Fun, Sovereign Centre and Harbour, Atlantic Drive.

Dotto trains are for everyone to enjoy, there are facilities to accommodate wheelchair users… and even your pooch can hitch a ride for free! (Dogs must behave well at all times). Times vary through the year but prices are very reasonable.

Hidden away below Helen Gardens at Holywell are The Italian Gardens. These unusual and secluded lawned Gardens sit in a wooded amphitheatre carved out of the cliff face just yards from Holywell beach. The hollow in the chalk cliff face is due to the Garden’s former use as a chalk quarry.

Quarrying was stopped after it was discovered that the excavations were polluting a nearby pure water spring which was essential for the town’s water supply. The Council converted the quarry into the Gardens in the winter of 1904/5.

The trees growing from the sides of the amphitheatre provide shade on a hot day and help create the impression of a ‘secret garden’.
The Italian Gardens are easily reached by foot or on the seafront Dotto Train and their proximity to the beach make them an ideal picnic spot. Located nearby is a special Millennium In Bloom flower bed designed by local school children. The Italian Gardens also provide a beautiful setting for open air theatre in Midsummer

Please note that the pathways down to the Italian Gardens are quite steep although there is also access up from the promenade which is less so.

“How We Lived Then” has well over 100,000 exhibits laid out on FOUR floors of authentic old shops, room-settings and many various displays which have been collected over the last 50 or so years jointly by the owners, husband and wife team, Jan and Graham Upton. Open every day from 10am year round.

The museum is in an old, listed building and cannot be made wheelchair-friendly. However, there is limited access on the ground floor only (and there is normally no charge for this). Guide dogs are accepted and other dogs, providing they are well-behaved.

The Sovereign Centre is a community leisure centre with a wide range of facilities offering an excellent choice of sporting and leisure activities – there really is something for everyone!
Facilities include:
Over 80 Station Fitness Suite
Large Car Park with FREE Parking for Members
Fun Pool with Waves and Flume
Aqua Challenge Inflatable
25m Gala Swimming Pool
Diving Pool
Training Pool
Workout Studio
Sports Hall
Sauna and Steam Room
Café

With 20 bowling lanes, a medieval themed Laser Quest arena with a 30 player capacity, a games arcade and six American Pool tables there’s definitely something to do for the whole family. Why not take time out and grab something to eat at ‘The Lanes Café’ or relax by watching live Sport in our Sports bar on our 8ft projector screen, including events shown on Sky Sports and BT Sports channels.

There’s Moonlight Bowling every Friday and Saturday from 8pm and we always have special offers during school holidays. We also cater for children’s parties, youth groups, schools and adult functions. Bowl on down to The Lanes, Eastbourne and strike out some fun memories today.

To Book contact us on 01323 509999
Facilities:
Free car parking
Toilets and baby changing facilities
Disabled access
Fully air-conditioned
Last Quest age & height restrictions are minimum 7 years and 1.1m

The Enterprise Shopping Centre is one of the most exciting and unusual places to shop and eat in Sussex!

50 Fascinating businesses offering everything from fresh meat to flowers – all under one big sunny Victorian glass roof. Visit the website here

The Arndale Centre is one of Eastbourne’s top tourist destinations and it’s easy to see why with over 70 shops and stores – all under one roof. There are top brand names including Marks & Spencer, Primark, Next, HMV, Boots and Bhs.

Parking could not be easier with 1300 spaces available in our main car park situated directly above the shops and in our secondary car park in Junction Road just two minutes from the Centre where you’ll find the cheapest parking deal in Eastbourne for just £3.50 a day.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with our great range of places where you can take a break and recharge those batteries. Starbucks, Shades and Cafe Ruby Coffee & Muffin Break to name just a few.

For those with mobility difficulties, Eastbourne Shopmobility (situated just outside the Centre’s main doors next to Marks & Spencer) is open from Monday to Friday until 4.30pm and Saturday 9am until 5pm. It closes for 30 minutes at 12.30pm for lunch and advance booking is advisable.

Nestling at the foot of Beachy Head and by the beautiful terraced gardens and beach of Holywell Bay, Meads Village is one of the most sought-after areas in Eastbourne.

This lovely leafy district has its own village shops, hairdresser and places to eat – including the Pilot, the popular Ship Inn, which serves up excellent pub food, and the Black Cat cafe for indulgent cakes.

This is a great area to be if you want to have a quieter, more tranquil setting for your self-catering holiday, yet be just a few minutes from the seafront and village amenities.

You’ll find a gentrified air, with period architecture and an affluent demographic, with the popular if pricey public schools of Bedes, St Andrews and Moira House providing the base for boarders and day students alike.

It’s a fine place to relax, as you saunter above Holywell, taking in the views of the Channel and Beachy Head, or venture down to explore the rock pools, making this a prime spot for family-friendly fun.

You are literally at the foot of Beachy Head and the gateway to the South Downs National Park, so walkers, runners and cyclists will be in their element – feel free to call or email us for advice on routes and places to take in nearby, such as the idyllic villages of East Dean and Friston.

Eastbourne centre is still easily accessible – just 15 minutes walk to the theatres or around 20 minutes walk or a few minutes drive to the main town centre and shops.

Eastbourne’s oldest village in the heart of town features a 12th century pub, St Mary’s Church, Pilgrims House, independent shopping streets and the pretty Manor Gardens and Motcombe Park and Lake. Visit plaques commemorating noted residents and visitors including Tommy Cooper in Motcombe Lane and Charles Dickens at Pilgrims House in Borough Lane.

See our dedicated cinema page here

See our dedicated Theatres page here

Visit The Waterfront, Sovereign Harbour for shopping, eating, drinking, relaxing, walking and so much more – every day!

Sovereign Harbour is northern Europe’s largest composite marina complex and boasts four linked harbours, a large free car park and the hugely popular Waterfront retail and restaurant development.

Ideal as a day out for the whole family, The Waterfront has an impressive range of shops, galleries, boat-sales, cafes, restaurants and bars, along with a luxury hair studio, boat tours and charters.

Rain or shine, day or night, seven days a week, you and the family will have a great time at The Waterfront, Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne.

Situated next to Sovereign Harbour, The Crumbles is a retail park consisting of stores like Sports Direct, Asda, Boots and Next as well as a multiplex cinema, restaurants and a gym. It is also just a short stroll round the corner to all the amenities of Sovereign Harbour.