Eastbourne

Travel Guide

Eastbourne which includes general coastal views
Beachy Head featuring general coastal views
Sovereign Harbour featuring a city and a marina as well as a couple
Sovereign Harbour which includes a river or creek and a bridge
Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum featuring military items

Old-fashioned Victorian charm and modern culture come together in this buzzing coastal resort. 

Located on England’s rugged southeast coast, Eastbourne exudes an old-world ambiance that can be traced back to its heyday as a Victorian seaside resort. Traditional activities, such as sunbathing, swimming and donkey rides, are balanced by contemporary cultural attractions, including the award-winning Towner Art Gallery and myriad theatres. Stroll along the seafront, build sandcastles on the shore and admire the breathtaking chalk cliffs.

In the mid-19th century, a newly built railway line drove this town’s development as a seaside resort. With the advent of affordable overseas travel in the late 20th century, the resort fell into decline as a tourist destination and instead became a popular retirement spot. See the new iteration of the contemporary Towner Art Gallery that opened in 2009, helping to establish the town as a worthwhile cultural destination.

Explore the seafront for reminders of its past. See Victorian hotels, the 1930s Eastbourne Bandstand and the restored Eastbourne Pier, a well-known Victorian structure that suffered a devastating fire in 2014. Walk along the pier and pause for desserts, sandwiches and hot drinks at the tea room and taste battered fish and salty chips, a British seaside staple.

Head north from the pier along the seafront to reach the Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum, a converted Napoleonic fort. Stop at the quirky Museum of Shops to inspect relics and tokens of the past. Here, four floors of exhibits display retro objects, such as old household items, sports equipment and vintage packaging. For cultural enjoyment, visit the purpose-built Towner Art Gallery and investigate a permanent room dedicated to Sussex watercolorist Eric Ravilious.

The incredible coastal scenery surrounding Eastbourne provides excellent hiking and walking opportunities. Trek along part of the 100-mile (160-kilometre) South Downs Way to see the magnificent ice-white Seven Sisters cliffs and the chalk headland of Beachy Head.

Eastbourne is well connected to other southeast England destinations, while local buses serve the town itself. Ride the train from London or nearby Brighton for a daytrip. Enjoy a trip to the seaside under sunny, blue skies.

Where to stay in Eastbourne

Eastbourne as well as a small group of people

Eastbourne City Centre

4/5(234 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Eastbourne City Centre is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Eastbourne Pier and Eastbourne Bandstand.

Eastbourne City Centre

Meads

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

When in Meads, you can plan a visit to Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club and Congress Theatre, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Meads
The Burlington Hotel
The Burlington Hotel
3 out of 5
Grand Parade, Eastbourne, England
The price is RM260 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
RM260
RM311 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Eastbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,241 reviews)
"Large Victorian hotel, I booked a superior room and the furniture and bathroom fitting were smart and fairly new. There is a problem with maintaining such a large old hotel and bathroom was full of cobwebs, bedroom walls were scuffed and window frames were in poor condition. The buffet breakfast ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

The Burlington Hotel
The Majestic Hotel
The Majestic Hotel
3.5 out of 5
26-34 ROYAL PARADE, Eastbourne, England
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Eastbourne. Enjoy a beach locale, a free beach shuttle, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Eastbourne Beach and ...
6.8/10 (63 reviews)
"🌟 A Truly Majestic Experience in Eastbourne 🌟 From the moment I arrived at The Majestic Hotel, I felt genuinely welcomed. The elegant yet homely atmosphere set the tone for a wonderful stay, and every staff member exuded warmth and professionalism. 🏩 My newly refurbished room offered a breathtaking ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

The Majestic Hotel
The View Hotel
The View Hotel
3 out of 5
Grand Parade, East Sussex, Eastbourne, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM578 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
RM578
RM693 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Eastbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
Suggest to all
"Very nice and clean, I will choose this again, but it would be better if has slippers and fridge"

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

The View Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Osborne Apartments
Osborne Apartments
2.5 out of 5
31 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, England
Stay at this aparthotel in Eastbourne. Enjoy free WiFi and housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Eastbourne Beach ...
9/10 Wonderful! (79 reviews)
"Very good. Not glamorous but had everything required"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Osborne Apartments
Q Square by Supercity Aparthotels
Q Square by Supercity Aparthotels
4 out of 5
11 Queen Square, Brighton, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Brighton. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Brighton Beach and Brighton Royal ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (264 reviews)
Great stay in Brighton
"We had an excellent stay here. The apartments are so handy for the station and the beach as well as all other attractions. Flat was immaculate, only niggle was terrace was narrow and furniture needed cleaned. However the rest of the flat suited us perfectly."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Q Square by Supercity Aparthotels
Vive Hotel
Vive Hotel
4 out of 5
Havelock Rd, Hastings, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Hastings. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (84 reviews)
"Clean spacious room center of town"

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2025

Vive Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Eastbourne

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
157
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
187
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
45
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
7
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Enjoyed a visit to Eastbourne museum

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice not to have amusement arcades along the front

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Still quite old fashioned but in a nice way

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very pleasing seafront and beach . Good theatres . Good base for exploring . New shopping centre.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Apparently getting more a 'party town' theme, but still the older population.Nice shops & lovely beach. Unfortunately some homeless problems, as everywhere does now, which for a place with some cheap accommodation is sad. Didn't see many restaurants.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We enjoyed visiting the Towner gallery with great coffee and cake!