Places to visit and things to do - Eastbourne and East Sussex
This information was written for CAMRA's Members' Weekend, AGM & Conference, Eastbourne, April 2022
Eastbourne
Eastbourne (population 100,000+) is more than just a seaside and retirement resort with an elderly profile. In fact the average age of residents has decreased as the town attracts students, families and those commuting to London and Brighton. Tourism and hospitality are big employers, along with retail, education, international language schools, and a host of diverse small businesses, many scattered around trading estates to the north east.
A popular pleasure is simply walking along the promenade, from the foot of the South Downs at Holywell to Sovereign Park in the east, or perhaps just a short section. You'll pass close to Helen Garden and the Italian Gardens (both free), seafront lawns, Victorian hotels, the Bandstand and the Pier. Walk along the deck (300m) without charge, taking in sea air and views, passing shops, a chippy, bars, the elegant Victorian tearooom and an amusement arcade.
Further east you'll find pebble beaches, a Napoleonic-era fortress and military museum, kiddies' adventure parks and the Sovereign leisure centre. Further still and walkable, but it's easier to catch a bus or drive, the modern Sovereign Harbour Marina, opened in 1993, has berthing for pleasure craft, a lifeboat station and a small fishing fleet. It has its own Waterfront retail and restaurant development. Behind this is a more down-to-earth out-of-town retail park dominated by Asda's superstore.
Back in the town centre, the Beacon shopping centre extension opened in 2019. Major retail chains can be found here and nearby in Terminus Road.
If you like theatre, Eastbourne has three. The Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Seaside Road, dates back to 1883. The Congress Theatre and the Devonshire Park Theatre adjoin the Winter Garden, our venue for the weekend. Check out the websites to see what's on.
The Towner is the largest purpose-built gallery in the South East, opened in 2009, it's free to wander inside. Their art house cinema features contemporary films from around the world.
Visit Eastbourne - things to do
Beachy Head - The Seven Sisters - South Downs National Park
Designated England's newest National Park in 2010, its rolling chalk downland extends from the fringe of Eastbourne all the way to Winchester.
Visitors can easily discover the adjoining patch by bus. Open-top, hop-on-hop-off Eastbourne Sightseeing buses run from the Pier. In 2022 the service commences on 9th April, first bus daily at 10:00, then every 45 minutes, last bus at 16:45. Stops on the circular route include Beachy Head, Birling Gap and the pretty village of East Dean, as well as various points in Eastbourne. £ 10 for 24 hour ticket (£ 8 for Seniors with Bus Pass).
Brighton & Hove's double decker Coaster service runs every ten minutes during the day from Eastbourne, passing over the Downs to East Dean, the Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat (for Cuckmere Haven), and onwards to Seaford and Brighton.
There's endless possibilities: walking along the coastal path (don't venture too close to the edge - the white cliffs are unstable); visiting Cuckmere Haven, a favourite with international visitors, the only undeveloped river estuary in the South East; or lunching at a village inn (at East Dean, Exceat, Litlington, Alfriston, Berwick, Milton Street or Jevington). Alternatively, plan your own full or half-day hike: you could start at a number of points on Eastbourne's western edge.
The Seven Sisters and Burling Gap - National Trust
Rye
CAMRA members will be delighted with Rye, a jewel of a town on a hill near the Kent border. Discover Rye's historic buildings, cobbled streets, and literary connections. The best viewpoint is from St Mary's church tower, usually open to the public: on a clear day you can make out the coastline of France. For lunch and a pint, there's no shortage of options: consult the Good Beer Guide or WhatPub. Our branch 2021 Pub-of-the-Year, is housed in the old public conveniences - the Waterworks micropub opens at 2 pm Monday to Friday, noon at the weekend. From Eastbourne Rye is an hour on the train, with an hourly service. The final section across the Romney Marsh is particularly scenic.
Other suggestions
Pevensey Castle, just outside Eastbourne, dating from Roman times, an English Heritage property
Observatory Science Centre and Herstmonceux Castle
Battle Abbey and Battlefield, 1066 country
Charleston Farmhouse, Firle, preserved former home of the 'Bloomsbury Set' during the first half of the last century
The City of Brighton and Hove
Consult the pub trails for Lewes, Bexhill, St Leonards and Hastings (with street maps)