Eastbourne’s Victorian architecture offers typical British seaside charm. The long shingle beach is backed by the perfect promenade for strolling, and punctuated by a traditional pier. At one end there’s a huge crazy golf park, at the other end is an elegant water view restaurant. And just beyond the edge of town are the famous white cliffs of Sussex. Our pick of the best places to stay in Eastbourne make the most of the views and heritage, owning the dating style and fading pastels, and reminding visitors of bygone days of seaside pleasure.
It could be that you fancy Eastbourne for its location, sailing or golf clubs, or sleepy reputation, but many folk end up here because it’s close to Brighton — and a lot less expensive! But Eastbourne is not an annex of Brighton’s bohemian charms. It has an excellent contemporary art gallery, and a pier with quintessential arcade games, but the atmosphere is much more relaxed port town.
Opting to stay in one of the best places to stay in Eastbourne puts you close to the Sussex Downs, the High Weald Area of Natural Beauty, and many scenic coastal trails. It's the perfect base for a visit to Glyndebourne for the opera season, the gardens of Sissinghurst and Great Dixter, and historic Herstmonceux Castle. You need a car to get to these, but not to Eastbourne’s own Napoleon-era Redoubt Fortress, or to the Wednesday Eastbourne Borough Market. Eastbourne also has a number of theatres, including the original one, which is cut into the cliff and has spectacular ocean views.