Eastbourne Things to Do

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When it starts to snow Eastbourne looks magical! It seems that the architecture and elegance that was designed for the summer sun does just as well in the snow. Unfortunately it doesn't happen very often, but in the last few years we have had at least one or two days of snow each year, usually in January, sometimes February or December. When the snow comes (and providing it isn't windy) I like to grab a hot coffee and head for the seafront. It's a wonderful sight, but if the wind picks up it will be absolutely freezing!

My favourite photos of Eastbourne in the snow are in my travelogue.

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Eastbourne Seafront really can be divided in to 2 parts at the pier. To the West is the area more traditionally associated with the town's tourist trade with the elegant Edwardian promenade, the Bandstand and the Wish Tower, along with many of the major hotels. To the East is a more family orientated and more modern (but no less attractive) offering.

The highlights of the Western Seafront are (for me) the Wish Tower and the gardens at Holywell at the extreme Western end of the promenade.

The Wish Tower was one of 14 Martello Towers constructed to defend the bay between Beachy Head and Hastings from attack by the French following the survey of South East coastal defences in 1793. In terms of the overall chain of coastal defences it is also known as Tower 73.

Until very recently the Wish Tower was blighted by an adjoining café which I could only describe as an eyesore. It was a thoroughly ugly mid 20th century monstrosity which ruined the site in my opinion, especially as the offering inside made you grateful for the architecture! Fortunately this has gone now. We are now awaiting the arrival of what has been described as an "iconic building" which will house a new catering offering on the site. But since the old café has gone it is now much easier to appreciate the Napoleonic fort for what it is itself.

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Eastbourne's grand and elegant Victorian Town Hall was built between 1884 and 1886 to house the Borough Council of the rapidly expanding town. Interestingly this was not the first choice of site for the town hall but was eventually picked because it was cheaper than the other options and the Duke of Devonshire (who was the major local land owner) provided this site at a fair price. The location had been the location of the village stocks in the past, where criminals would have been punished.

The Borough Council has a very detailed account of the history of the building on their website.

The building is usually only accesible to the public if attending a meeting, a wedding or registering a birth or death. You could try contacting one of the Borough councillors or the local democracy team to arrange to see the inside if you so wished.

Eastbourne Borough Council are changing their ways of working and have a view to stop using most or all of the Town Hall as office space in the near future so that it can become more available for community use. This may mean it becoming more accesible to visitors.

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The Towner Art Gallery is the home for Eastbourne's collection of contemporary arts as well as a wide variety of temporary exhibitions which include some big names in the world of modern art.

On the first floor is the collection gallery which shows off items from the Towner's own collection, usually with a particular theme. The second floor has temporary exhibitions. This is a vast open space full of light and so allows a wide variety of different exhibitions to take place here.

Many of the staff are local volunteers and often are very enthusiastic about the exhibitions and will be pleased to give you as much background information as they can if you ask.

Entrance is free although donations are appreciated.

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Eastbourne's Pier is one of it's most memorable images and has been used as a film set on a number of occasions in recent years - most recently in the film "Made in Dagenham" when it 'played the part' of Brighton Pier becuase Eastbourne Pier looks more like what an English seaside town pier should look like in it's heyday.

It is much better maintained (and cleaner) than many other piers are now around the English coastal resorts and has all the traditional English seaside things on it - fish and chips, Victorian tea rooms, souvenir shops, amusement arcades and of course (and most importantly) the wonderful views both out to sea and back across Eastbourne's elegant Edwardian seafront.

I like to visit the pier on a Sunday afternoon, get a portion of chips covered in salt and vinegar, and then go to the end of the pier and eat them whilst taking in the view and watching the people go by.

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The famous cliffs of Beachy Head are the highest point in a string of chalky rock faces that slice across this rugged stretch of coast at the southern end of the south downs. It’s a spot of thrilling beauty, at least until you remember that this is also officially one of the top suicide spots in the world!!

Eastbourne is the pre-Wimbledon ladies tennis tournament. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is a great place to spend a weekend (or a week for the hardcore tennis fans).

Wonderful if the weather's nice.

Crap is the weather's crap!

I've never actually been inside this place but I know it is all about the history and heritage of Eastbourne.....a town apparently created *By gentlemen... for gentlemen*. Hmmmm... no wonder it's never been my favourite place!

Still, it's somewhere to go to pass an hour on a wet afternoon.