Free activities

Free things to do in Brighton

Head down to Brighton Beach

It might not be sandy, but Brighton Beach is a famous British landmark and a big part of what makes the city such a great place to be. Clubbers often lie down and enjoy the sea breeze after a night on the town.

Admire the Royal Pavilion

Entrance to the Pavilion is cheap, but if you don't want to pay you can still look up at awe at the Indian-style architecture of Brighton's centrepiece. The Pavilion is surrounded by public gardens so you can enjoy the view over a lazy afternoon.

Window shop in North Laine

If you can resist the urge to drain your student loan, consider a walk through Brighton's North Laine district, famous for its trendy cafes and independent shops. Look out for Snoopers Paradise in particular, a fascinating maze of retro bric-a-brac and vintage clothing.

The Royal Pavilion

Free things to do in Eastbourne

Get in touch with nature at Beachy Head

Located four miles outside of Eastbourne, Beachy Head is one of Sussex’s most famous natural landmarks and the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. To get there, take the 13X or the open-top bus from Eastbourne Pier – the journey takes less than 20 minutes.

Make a wish at Tower 73

Tower 73, also known as the Wish Tower, is a restored fortification on the Eastbourne seafront. Built in 1804, the tower was designed to defend England against Napoleon’s army. You can find it at King Edward’s Parade, BN21 4EE.

Talk art at Towner

Towner is Eastbourne’s award-winning art museum, featuring more than 4,000 works by artists including Picasso, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, David Bomberg, Olafur Eliasson and Henry Moore. It’s located in Devonshire Park, BN21 4JJ, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

Beachy Head

Free things to do in Hastings

Relax on the grass at Alexandra Park

After its £3.5million regeneration in 2004, Alexandra Park became a local favourite with its friendly cafe, nature trails and beautiful natural surroundings. The park also has an open-air bandstand for summer concerts.

Take a stroll around the Old Town

Hastings’ famous Old Town dates back to before the nineteenth century, and is full of curiosity shops, independent cafes and traditional English pubs. Every summer, the Old Town plays host to a week-long local festival that features live music, street parties and parades.

Get some fresh air at Hastings Country Park

Set in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hastings Country Park is a vast natural reserve with ancient woodland, sandstone cliffs and stunning views. The 344 bus service will take you there from Breeds Place in about 20 minutes.

Hastings Old Town during a street festival