UltimateCity Guide Brighton
Our favourites
The Carpet Gardens on Eastbourne seafront in full summer bloom, with the pier entrance beyond

Beyond Brighton · east along the coast by train or Coaster bus

Eastbourne: Our Favourites

Eastbourne, east along the coast: the pier of 1872, the 1935 bandstand and the Carpet Gardens, the Grand and Belle Tout lighthouse, Towner, the Devonshire Quarter theatres and Sovereign Harbour.

The back story

  1. Town guide

    Eastbourne: the back story

    Eastbourne·In depth

    A Victorian pier of 1872, a 1935 bandstand, a lighthouse of 1832 on the cliffs, a modern art gallery and a marina of 1993: Eastbourne from the Downs to the harbour.

    Explore View on map

  2. Town guide

    Belle Tout and the clifftop: the back story

    Beachy Head, Eastbourne·In depth

    A lighthouse of 1832 on the edge of the chalk, now a six-room bed and breakfast, and the cliff path from Eastbourne to Birling Gap.

    Explore View on map

  3. Christmas

    Christmas in Eastbourne

    Eastbourne·In depth

    Cinderella at the Devonshire Park Theatre, the lights switch-on and markets, Meads Magic and Christmas in Little Chelsea, Winterland at Sovereign Harbour and a Christmas tree festival.

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Where to stay

  1. Five-star

    The Grand Hotel

    King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne·Seafront hotel and spa

    Eastbourne’s five-star seafront hotel, with a spa.

    King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne BN21 4EQExplore View on map

  2. By the sea

    Port Hotel

    Royal Parade, Eastbourne·Boutique hotel

    A boutique hotel, restaurant and bar on Royal Parade, by the sea.

    11–12 Royal Parade, Eastbourne BN22 7ARExplore View on map

  3. A lighthouse of 1832

    Belle Tout Lighthouse

    Beachy Head·Bed and breakfast

    A restored lighthouse of 1832 on the cliffs at Beachy Head, with six rooms and panoramic sea views.

    Beachy Head, Eastbourne BN20 0AEExplore View on map

  4. With 1912 Seafood & Steak

    The Lansdowne Hotel

    King Edward’s Parade, Eastbourne·Seafront hotel

    A seafront hotel on King Edward’s Parade, with the 1912 Seafood & Steak restaurant and afternoon tea.

    King Edward’s Parade, Eastbourne BN21 4EEExplore View on map

  5. With an outdoor pool

    The Hydro Hotel

    Mount Road, Eastbourne·Hotel

    A hotel in the Meads end of town, near the start of the Downs, with an outdoor pool and two restaurants.

    Mount Road, Eastbourne BN20 7HZExplore View on map

  6. In the Devonshire Quarter

    Devonshire Park Hotel

    Carlisle Road, Eastbourne·Boutique hotel

    A boutique hotel on Carlisle Road, close to the theatres, the tennis and the seafront.

    Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4JRExplore View on map

Where to eat

  1. On the beach

    The Beach Deck

    Royal Parade, Eastbourne·Beach restaurant

    A restaurant right on Eastbourne beach, with sea views from every table, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    Royal Parade, Eastbourne BN22 7AEExplore View on map

  2. Seafood

    The Belgian Café

    Grand Parade, Eastbourne·Seafront restaurant

    A relaxed seafront restaurant on the Grand Parade, known for its fresh seafood.

    11–23 Grand Parade, Eastbourne BN21 3YNExplore View on map

  3. Views of Beachy Head

    Bistrot Pierre Eastbourne

    Seafront, Eastbourne·French restaurant

    A French bistro on the seafront, with panoramic sea views towards Beachy Head.

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Cafés and tea rooms

  1. In Gildredge Park

    The Love All Café

    Gildredge Park, Eastbourne·Park café

    A local café in Gildredge Park, with freshly baked goods, soups, salads and meze.

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  2. In the Welcome Building

    DQ Terrace Bar and Café

    Devonshire Quarter, Eastbourne·Café and bar

    A café-bar in the Welcome Building of the Devonshire Quarter, for breakfast, lunch, cake and pre-theatre drinks.

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Bars

  1. Sussex-made

    Beerarama

    Bolton Road, Eastbourne·Craft beer, wine and gin

    A craft beer, wine and gin shop with seats, stocking mainly Sussex-made drinks.

    7B Bolton Road, Eastbourne BN21 3JUExplore View on map

Pubs

  1. In the Old Town

    The Lamb Inn

    Old Town, Eastbourne·Historic inn

    An inn with rooms in Eastbourne’s historic Old Town, inland from the seafront.

    36 High Street, Eastbourne BN21 1HHExplore View on map

  2. Walled garden

    The Dew Drop Inn

    South Street, Eastbourne·Pub

    A friendly town-centre pub with a quirky, bohemian interior and a suntrap walled garden.

    37–39 South Street, Eastbourne BN21 4UPExplore View on map

What to see and do

  1. Opened 1872

    Eastbourne Pier

    Grand Parade, Eastbourne·Pier

    One of the finest Victorian piers in England, opened in 1872, with domed pavilions and a new walkway since the 2014 fire.

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  2. Built 1935

    Eastbourne Bandstand

    Grand Parade, Eastbourne·Bandstand and concerts

    The listed 1935 seafront bandstand, in cream faience, still with a full season of concerts.

    Grand Parade, EastbourneExplore View on map

Arts & Culture

  1. Modern and contemporary art

    Towner Eastbourne

    Eastbourne·Art gallery

    Eastbourne’s gallery of modern and contemporary art.

    Explore View on map

  2. Congress, Devonshire Park, Winter Garden

    Eastbourne Theatres

    Devonshire Quarter, Eastbourne·Theatres

    The Congress Theatre, the Victorian Devonshire Park Theatre and the Winter Garden, side by side in the Devonshire Quarter.

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Parks and gardens

  1. By the pier

    The Carpet Gardens

    Grand Parade, Eastbourne·Seafront gardens

    Eastbourne’s famous seafront flower beds, laid out between the Grand Parade and the promenade by the pier.

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  2. Boating lake

    Princes Park

    Royal Parade, Eastbourne·Park

    A seafront park east of the pier, with gardens, a boating lake, play areas and wildlife.

    Explore View on map

  3. Near the Old Town

    Gildredge Park and Manor Gardens

    Old Town, Eastbourne·Park

    Broad lawns sheltered by mature trees, with a café and playground, joined to the quieter Manor Gardens.

    Explore View on map

  4. Below the cliff

    The Italian Gardens

    Holywell, Eastbourne·Gardens

    Secluded lawned gardens in a wooded amphitheatre cut from the cliff, just above Holywell beach.

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Walks

  1. Opened 1993

    Sovereign Harbour walk

    Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne·Harbour walk

    A walk round the marina opened in 1993, with four harbours, twin sea locks, seals and Martello towers.

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Property

  1. Below the Downs

    Meads

    Eastbourne·Neighbourhood

    The village quarter at the western end of town, between the seafront and the Downs.

    Explore View on map

  2. Inland, by the Downs

    Eastbourne Old Town

    Eastbourne·Neighbourhood

    The old village inland from the resort, around the High Street, The Lamb Inn and Gildredge Park.

    Explore View on map

  3. Marina living

    Sovereign Harbour

    Eastbourne·Neighbourhood

    Homes and apartments around the four linked harbours of the marina at the eastern end of town.

    Explore View on map

Share your Eastbourne tips

Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.

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