Today I want to share my itinerary for a weekend in Eastbourne with you. Just an hour-and-a-half south of London, this resort town on the south coast in East Sussex is known for its 19th-century pier, historic bandstand, and pebble beach. Add to that the chalk cliffs along Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, and Eastbourne is an ideal place to spend a weekend on the seaside.
Weekend in Eastbourne
I’m spending a weekend in Eastbourne with a friend who used to live here. She knows the town and the surrounding area well, and she’s offered to take me around for two days to show me the highlights.
How to Get to Eastbourne
I arrive by train from London. There are easy, direct services from Victoria station. My train to Eastbourne takes 1.5 hours, and I enjoy great views of the English countryside along the way.
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Eastbourne
When I get to the station, my friend meets me at the ticket gates and our weekend in Eastbourne begins. We’re staying right on the waterfront at The Lansdowne Hotel, and it’s a great base for the trip.
Weekend in Eastbourne: Day 1
After dropping off our bags, we start our visit at the beach. Eastbourne has more than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of shingle beaches, and it’s known for being one of the best beach day trips from London.
The Beach
But we have a whole weekend in Eastbourne, which means there’s plenty of time to enjoy the beach. We walk along it and take in the views of the pier and the Ferris wheel. It’s a great introduction to the town, and the sunshine makes it an even better one.
Eastbourne is famous for its pier, so we take a walk out to the end of it and enjoy sweeping views of the seaside. Eastbourne Pier was built in the 19th century and it still retains its Victorian look and feel today.
Beachy Head
From the waterfront we hop in my friend’s car and drive the short distance to Beachy Head. Located in the South Downs National Park, this place is famous for its chalk cliffs and lighthouses.
When we arrive, we take a quick look at The Beachy Head Story, a small museum and visitor center with information about the history and geography of the South Downs. It’s next door to The Beachy Head pub.
From there we walk along the cliffs to the Seven Sisters, enjoying the sunshine and taking in the Beachy Head Lighthouse and Belle Tout Lighthouse as we go. It’s a great place for country walks.
Dinner in Eastbourne
Back in Eastbourne, we head to dinner at Bistrot Pierre. The restaurant is on the beach (and right across the street from our hotel), and it’s the perfect place for dinner with a view of the sunset.
Eastbourne Bandstand
After dinner we take a walk along the beachfront promenade. The 1930s Eastbourne Bandstand is alive with the sounds of a concert. It’s great to hear the music as we wander.
We also walk up Carlisle Road, where my friend points out more good restaurants and cafes in town.
Weekend in Eastbourne: Day 2
The next morning we wake up to another beautiful day and decide to eat breakfast at a cafe on the beach. We have the whole place to ourselves as we enjoy coffee and croissants under bright blue skies.
Towner Art Gallery
We spend the rest of the day discovering more of Eastbourne. My friend points out the colorful facade of the Towner Art Gallery, which showcases modern and contemporary art.
She also takes me around the corner to Eastbourne College, a beautiful boarding school where she was once a teacher.
Redoubt Fortress in Eastbourne
Back on the waterfront, we pass the Redoubt Fortress, which was built in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars and used in World War I and World War II.
Now a military museum, the Eastbourne Redoubt is one of only three surviving Napoleonic Redoubts in the UK.
Theater
As we walk along the beach, my friend tells me that Eastbourne also has a lively theater scene. The theaters here offer a range of touring productions and other shows throughout the year.
Weekend in Eastbourne
Soon our weekend in Eastbourne comes to an end and I hop back on the train to London. It’s been a great two days, and I’m glad I’ve had an expert guide to show me the best of the town. If the sun keeps shining, it won’t be long until I’m back.
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