Eastbourne
Eastbourne is officially the south coast’s sunniest location, a small, historic seaside town with clean, safe, family-friendly beaches, a Victorian pier and plenty of water sports and activities. The town offers miles of seafront to explore, from the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head to the the award-winning Sovereign Harbour, while inland there are the rolling green hills of the South Downs and small villages rich in arts, culture and heritage.
Eastbourne has good road and rail links to London, Gatwick, Brighton, Hastings and Tunbridge Wells, and is also linked to mainland France via the ferry from Newhaven.
Entertainment and leisure
Natural beauty and outdoor adventure
The town nestles at the foot of the South Downs National Park which is traversed by a 100-mile trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders meandering all the way to historic Winchester. From Eastbourne you can walk to Beachy Head, a national beauty spot famous for its chalk cliffs and striking lighthouse.
Arts, culture and heritage
Eastbourne is the perfect place from which to explore the rich history around the Battle of Hastings and other key skirmishes in 1066. The region also boasts ruined military forts, the mysterious Long Man of Wilmington, art galleries, historic houses, museums, a wide selection of theatres and the famous Glyndebourne Opera House.
Things to see, do and experience in Eastbourne
History and culture
- The Towner Contemporary Art Museum
- Eastbourne Heritage Centre
- The Birley Centre
- Eastbourne Pier
- The Camera Obscura
- Martello Wish Tower
- Murder Mystery Treasure Trails
Children
- Drusilla’s Park
- Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway
- Knockhatch Adventure Park
Activities for all ages
- Eastbourne Pier
- Boat trips from the Sovereign Harbour
- Heritage walks
- Cycle or hike the South Downs Way
- Water sport activities
- The Dotto train
Day excursions from Eastbourne
- Exploring the South Downs National Park
- Beachy Head and Seven Sisters
- Hastings and Hastings Castle
- Battle Abbey
- Herstmonceaux Castle
- Rye
- Glyndebourne
- Leeds Castle and Canterbury
- Pevensy Castle
- Newhaven fort
- Lewes, Lewes Castle, Harvey's Brewery
- Tunbridge Wells
- Brighton
- London
Weekend excursions from Eastbourne
- New Forest
- The Isle of Wight
- Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral
- Amsterdam and Bruges
- Paris and Versailles
Travel and transport
Eastbourne has good road and rail links to London, Gatwick, Brighton, Hastings and Tunbridge Wells, and is also linked to mainland France via the ferry from Newhaven.
Travelling by train
- Eastbourne to London Victoria: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Eastbourne to London Gatwick Airport: 55 minutes
- Eastbourne to Brighton: 35 minutes
For more information visit: National Rail
Travelling by car
Eastbourne is 125 km from London. The M25/M23/A27 motorway link provides easy road access to London and the rest of the country.
See a map of South East England
Travelling from Europe or internationally
- From Ashford International, the Eurostar terminal in Kent, it is possible to get a direct train to Eastbourne.
- Eastbourne is an hour by train or car from Gatwick Airport.
- There is a ferry service from Newhaven to Dieppe on the French mainland.
Getting around Eastbourne
On foot
Most places of interest in Eastbourne are within a quick walk of the city centre.
By bike
Cycle parking is available at all our venues and accommodation and bicycles can be hired for the duration of your visit. See Cycle info East Sussex County Council
By bus
Most local buses in Eastbourne are run by Stagecoach and cover the town and link it to other towns in the region, including Tunbridge Wells and Brighton. See Stagecoach
