Our trip to Eastbourne, UK was spurred on by one motivation: Hiking the Seven Sisters Coastal Trail. It wasn’t until after we booked our weekend stay that we discovered that Eastbourne itself is worth visiting!
A Victorian-era tourist hotspot on the south coast of England, Eastbourne is old-fashioned, but in the very best ways.
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With its iconic blue-and-white pier and wide beachfront promenade laden with blooming gardens, it’s a sunny seaside escape that makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time.
After our long days of hiking, we spent time discovering the best things to do in Eastbourne. From the historic Wish Tower to a fabulous art gallery to fun bars, we are highlighting the top Eastbourne activities!
8 Best Things To Do in Eastbourne, England
Our list of what to do in Eastbourne is based on our personal experiences while enjoying a fun summer weekend on the East Sussex coast.
Below, we share a few tips about trip logistics (like where to stay) and a helpful map marked with our recommended things to do.
#1 Experience Eastbourne Pier
Stretching 1,000 feet over the sea, the Eastbourne Pier is impossible to miss! The historic structure dates to the 1870s – and has endured a range of disasters (from getting swept away in a storm to being ravaged by fire).
Fully restored in 2015, the classic wharf boasts wooden planks, food kiosks, a bar and an old-school arcade. During our visit, tourists and locals alike danced to live music performed by a cover band under sunny skies!
#2 Stroll the Eastbourne Promenade
In our opinion, one of the best things about visiting Eastbourne is the waterfront promenade. The 5-mile pedestrian path is an excellent place to breathe in fresh sea air while taking in gorgeous views.
The promenade extends from Carpet Gardens by the pier to Helen Gardens near Beachy Head. Along the route, the path is dotted with vibrant foliage and historical sights.
Not to be missed is the Heritage-listed Eastbourne Bandstand that staged its very first concert in 1935. Nearly 100 years later, it still hosts a range of musical acts throughout the summer.
The Wish Tower is one of several Martello Towers built along the coast during the Napoleonic Wars. The surrounding Peace Garden is a hidden nook that is a welcome respite from the beachside bustle.
At the far west end of the promenade is another lovely green space: The Italian Gardens. With a flair of Renaissance Italy, the lush area is ideal for a picnic. They also host Shakespeare plays in the park during the summertime.
#3 Sunbathe at Eastbourne Beaches
Our trip coincided with an early summer heatwave that was sweeping across England – and the beaches in Eastbourne with their refreshing sea air were a welcome relief.
The main Eastbourne Beach sits between the Wish Tower and the pier. It’s the most popular and crowded but has lifeguards, lounge rentals as well as food and beverage kiosks.
To the west, Holywell Beach feels a lot more secluded with plenty of room to stretch out (but only has a few amenities nearby).
On the east side of town, the beaches at Royal Parade are known for windsurfing, tidal pools and even a bit of history at the Eastbourne Redoubt Fortress.
Note that these beaches are mostly pebble (locally called shingle), rather than sand. The tides do fluctuate drastically and sometimes there are sandy patches. Just be alert as the tide comes in!
#4 Admire Art at Towner Eastbourne
There is more to Eastbourne than seaside attractions! For a full dose of culture, we popped into the Eastbourne Towner Art Gallery.
Hosting both free and paid exhibitions – as well as events, like yoga, markets and poetry readings – the gallery exudes a community vibe.
Additionally, they have a cinema, which we think would be a sublime place to dodge the hottest part of the day or to escape a passing rain shower.
#5 Shop (and Sip!) in Little Chelsea
A historic enclave a few blocks from the beach, Little Chelsea is drenched in Victorian charm. At the center of the district is Eastbourne Town Hall, an elegant, red-brick structure that was built in the 1880s.
Independent shops, boutique cafes and fun pubs line both Grove Road and South Street. We almost got lost in the literal labyrinth of volumes at Camilla’s Bookshop and we could have been entertained for hours by the antiques at Francois.
However, that would have left little time to imbibe – and there are numerous fun places for a pint! We liked The Frontier for their craft beer offerings (don’t miss the record shop in the basement) and Bibendum Gastropub was perfect for an alfresco drink.
#6 Step inside Historic Eastbourne Churches
While not many people go on a beach vacation to visit churches, it would be remiss not to mention the beautiful and historic ones in Eastbourne.
The oldest – St. Mary’s – can trace its history to the 12th century. Holy Trinity Church, located right in the heart of town, is more than 180 years old.
The 19th century St. Saviour’s is built in the Victorian style and features mosaics and sometimes hosts concerts. Our Lady of Ransom – a Catholic church – is relatively new being built in the early 1900s, but boasts a dazzling interior.
#7 Indulge in an Old-Fashioned Sundae
Indulging in ice cream treat is a must-do in Eastbourne! For a full dose of nostalgia, we suggest sitting down at the vintage Favoloso Cafe for an enormous (yet elegant) sundae.
Inside, the retro decor is reminiscent of a 1960s ice cream parlor, but there is some outdoor seating, as well.
The sundae menu features a number of enticing sweet treats, but on a hot summer day, our top pick is the chocolate and mint Midnight Express.
#8 Walk the Seven Sisters Cliffs
These magnificent seafront chalk cliffs – named The Seven Sisters – are what inspired us to visit Eastbourne. We love coastal walks in the UK – and the stretch between Seaford and Eastbourne absolutely blew us away!
The area can be reached by car or bus – and there’s even a trail (part of the South Downs Way) that leads right from the Promenade in Eastbourne to Beachy Head and on to the cliffs.
We detail how we completed the trek in our dedicated article: Hiking the Seven Sisters from Eastbourne!
BONUS: More To Do in East Sussex
The south coast is dotted with quaint villages and seaside towns, which can be accessed easily by bus (or car if you’re down with driving on the left).
From Eastbourne, there are connections to Beachy Head, East Dean, Seaford and Brighton. Check the Brighten & Hove Buses website for timetables and fares.
Map of Eastbourne Things To Do
Use this Google Map for an online version of our Eastbourne Visitors Map below.
Tips for Planning Your Eastbourne Trip
Ready to set off for the seaside? Great! We have a few trip planning tips that will help make your coastal getaway a breeze.
How To Get to Eastbourne
From London, the best way to reach Eastbourne is by train. Southern Railway services depart hourly from London Victoria and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.
Where To Stay in Eastbourne
We opted to stay in a vacation rental, the Crescent Apartment, both for cost and convenience. The well-equipped studio is ideally located near the train station and Little Chelsea.
That said, if we were looking for beachfront accommodations, we would have gone with The View Hotel. The modern property offers sea facing rooms, air con and breakfast.
What To Pack for Eastbourne
UV Protection: During the summertime, you will need sunscreen, a wide-brimmed travel hat and your favorite sunglasses.
Proper Shoes: For this trip, you will likely want to pack two pairs of travel shoes – sturdy walking shoes (if hiking Seven Sisters) and flip flops for the beach!
Travel Camera: We shoot with a Canon Rebel and a 18-135mm lens – it’s a fantastic DSLR for budget travelers.
Day Bag: Whether hitting the beach or the trails, you will want to bring a durable day pack that can hold all your necessities.
UK Trip Planner: Keep track of all the important details for your vacation to England with our Travel Planner!
Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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