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Town in East Sussex, England
Photo: Benutzer:9mal Kluger, CC BY-SA 2.0 de via Wikimedia Commons
Eastbourne is a popular and traditional sea-side resort town in East Sussex, on England's South East coast. It has one of the highest recorded days of sunshine per year in Britain and its climate is notable for its relatively high sunshine levels, with the town claiming to be the "Sunniest Place in the UK".
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Which are world famous.
Built in 1870 with a theatre, camera obscura, and bar. Paddle steamers used to sail from here to Boulogne in France in the early 20th century, but stopped in World War II, when anti-aircraft guns were placed on it. The arcade was destroyed by a fire on the pier in 2014, and has since been renovated to make the pier safe. There are cafes, a restaurant, some shops, a fishing stage, a nightclub (see Drink), a fish and chip shop and great views on the pier.
Built in 1804 as part of the defences against a possible invasion of Britain by Napoleon. It has been used in both world wars and from 1957 to the 1970s as a model village and an aquarium until 1996. It now houses a museum, gun parade, cafe and shop.
Eastbourne's contemporary art gallery with about three exhibitions on at all times. It has a permanent room dedicated to local artist, Eric Ravillious, and a cafe run by Urban Ground (see Drink). If you are a fan of art, this is well worth a visit, and maybe also take a trip down the coast to the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and then the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings. If you visit all three galleries, and get a stamp from each in a Coastal Culture Trail passport, you get 20% off in one of the gallery shops, see coastalculturetrail.com for more information.
A museum all about Eastbourne's history, built in 1880, and is now Grade II listed. It's a short walk from the centre and just off the seafront, and is near to some nice restaurants too.
Enjoy the views from 162 m up, on top of the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. See the century-old red and white lighthouse at the foot of the cliffs, and an earlier forerunner the Belle Tout lighthouse, built to warn shipping of the treacherous rocks in the vicinity, which is now a B&B. Also see views over the whole of Eastbourne, and see if you can spot Hastings on a clear day. From here, you could travel further along the coast to Birling Gap, or even the Cuckmere Haven.
A medieval castle founded within a Roman fort. Close to where William the Conqueror landed in 1066.
A great place for kids and children to hop onto a mini steam engine.
A leisure centre with several swimming pools, gym, fitness suite, sauna and cafe. One swimming pool has a wave machine, fountains and a flume, which is popular with families during school holidays. There are also many classes, lessons and events going on here, such as gymnastics lessons, Zumba and swimming lessons.
Take the number 12, 12X or 13X bus from the town centre to this country park at Exceat, about 8 km west of Eastbourne. The park has cycle hire through the Friston Forest, a cosy cafe-restaurant and a visitor centre. The estuary of the River Cuckmere winds through here in a distinctive meander to the sea and can be walked either side of the A259 road. You can also walk upstream along the side of the Cuckmere river and if you're lucky you may be able to find some samphire along the banks which can be picked, cooked and eaten.
This area of land is owned by the National Trust and has a cafe, gift shop and a small museum/visitor centre. You can start walks from here across the South Downs and there is also a set of stairs going down to the shingle beach. It is a two-hour walk towards Holywell and Eastbourne along the beach.
A relatively new restaurant on the seafront. It's just outside the centre of Eastbourne but it's worth the travel. It has been featured on an episode of The Undateables on Channel 4.
A small vegetarian bistro whose menu changes monthly. It is recommended to book in advance as they can only seat 21 at a push.
Large, Italian restaurant run by actual Italians. Not far from town centre or theatres.
A pub near the foot of the Downs. More of a "food" type of pub, in a building that has been refurbished. It also has three B&B rooms you can stay in.
A nice, authentic Thai restaurant with beautiful décor inside. You can sit outside overlooking the harbour if the weather's good.
A small independent burger restaurant near the town centre, with very tasty burgers and sides, also has a wide choice of beers and drinks.
A popular local ice cream parlour, serving a very wide range of ice creams, sorbets, and sundaes - definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a nice seaside ice cream.
Just off the end of the pedestrianised end of Terminus Road. It is only a few years old but is quite popular. They give you an egg timer with your pot of tea to tell you when your tea is properly brewed. You can also visit the cafe at the Towner Art Gallery (run by Urban Ground), sitting on the balcony overlooking the sunset in the evening if you want.
It is always a friendly and comfortable place, but is at its best around Christmas time, when an extraordinary array of festive lights turns it into a fairyland to enchant young and old alike.
This is the oldest pub in Eastbourne in the Old Town area, built in the 12th century.
A nightclub on the pier, quite popular in the town with young people and language school students in the summer.
Once featured in a TV Agatha Christie adaptation.
A classical five-star hotel, yet run in a friendly atmosphere.
Claims to be the UK's first art hotel.
The Royal
Historic guesthouse on seafront near the pier. The Royal is one of Eastbourne's few remaining original Sea Houses. Popular with tourists and walkers, modestly priced and dog-friendly.
The Belle Tout was the first lighthouse at Beachy Head, until 1902 when a better-sited lighthouse replaced it. It was almost wrecked by Canadian artillery fire in the Second World War - the gunners clearly were much in need of practice. It was at risk of tumbling over the eroding cliff edge until in 1999 when, in a remarkable feat of engineering, the whole thing was shifted in one piece 17 m back from the edge. The system it slid along can be re-used, which might again become necessary circa 2030. It's now a very stylish B&B, with one room in the light tower and five in the adjoining house. No children under 15 or dogs.
Grande Apartments, Hotels in Eastbourne provides comfortably appointed rooms and suites.
The town's redeveloped main shopping centre, now with light modern architecture. The centre features a wide range of shops, including both national chains, and local independent stores. It has several restaurants including a Nando's. It is in the centre of the town, next to the train station, and with easy access to the shops on Terminus Road.
Next to the station is another often forgotten treasure. It has a feel of faded glory and better days when it was a vibrant place. Under one roof is everything you might need: fresh fruit and veg, a butchers and a fishmongers. It has an amazing bookshop which has thousands of new and secondhand books, and an ordering service for any book. There is a fair trade shop which is excellent. There are also opticians, complimentary therapy, a hair dressers and a beautician. A pet shop. A wonderful cafe called Jocelyn's where you can get gorgeous cakes, delicious soup and service with a smile!
By train
Southern Railway is the principal train company serving Eastbourne.
By taxi
"Black cabs" are rarely seen on Eastbourne's streets, but taxis licensed by the local authority are readily available at all times from ranks either side of the railway station.
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