The Best Day Trips from Eastbourne

Seaside towns

Eastbourne sits on a coast dotted with contrasting seaside towns, all reachable by a direct train along the line. Buzzy, bohemian Brighton is the big draw, with its Royal Pavilion, Lanes, independent shops and famous nightlife — a complete change of pace about half an hour up the coast. In the other direction, atmospheric Hastings offers an Old Town, a working fishing beach, cliff railways and a wonderfully characterful vibe. And right next door, genteel Bexhill is home to the glorious modernist De La Warr Pavilion — a cultural gem well worth the short hop.

Historic towns

For a hit of history, two towns stand out. Lewes, the county town, is a short train ride away and packs in a Norman castle, steep old streets, superb antiques shops, independent galleries and Anne of Cleves House — plus England’s most famous Bonfire Night celebrations. Further east, medieval Rye is a picture-postcard gem of cobbled streets, timber-framed houses and the celebrated Mermaid Street, crowned by the Ypres Tower and its ancient church. Both make for a leisurely, wander-and-browse kind of day.

Local tip: Combine trips for a fuller day. Rye pairs beautifully with the sandy beach at Camber; Lewes sits right beside Charleston and Firle; and Hastings is on the way to both Bexhill and Rye.

Villages and countryside

Some of the loveliest days out are the quietest. The chocolate-box village of Alfriston, in the Cuckmere Valley, has a market cross, ancient inns and the National Trust’s very first property, the Clergy House — ideal for combining with a Downs walk. Nearby Seaford offers a bracing seafront and the dramatic clifftop walk up to Seaford Head, with its classic view of the Seven Sisters. And for a rare stretch of golden sand, Camber Sands near Rye is the region’s great dune-backed sandy beach — a proper bucket-and-spade day out.

Castles, houses and art

The countryside around Eastbourne is studded with history. Fairytale Herstmonceux Castle, a moated red-brick beauty with an observatory science centre in its grounds, is a family favourite. Tranquil Michelham Priory sits within England’s longest medieval water-filled moat, while stately Firle Place offers a grand country house and estate. Art lovers shouldn’t miss Charleston, the extraordinary painted farmhouse of the Bloomsbury Group near Firle. And to the east, mighty Pevensey Castle marks the spot where William the Conqueror landed in 1066.

Family days out

Travelling with children? Drusillas Park, near Alfriston, is one of the best small zoos in the country and purpose-built for younger visitors, with animals, play areas and rides. Herstmonceux, with its castle grounds and hands-on science centre, is another winner, and a sandy day at Camber is always a hit. For even more ideas closer to home, our guides to keeping little ones happy in Eastbourne itself are packed with options.

Getting around

Many of the best day trips are easy without a car. Brighton, Lewes, Hastings, Bexhill and Seaford all sit on direct train lines from Eastbourne, and Rye is a straightforward change at Hastings — see our guide to days out by train for routes and times. The more rural spots — Herstmonceux, Michelham Priory, Charleston and Camber — are simplest by car, though most can be reached with a train-plus-taxi or bus combination. For the full picture on local transport, buses and parking, see our getting around Eastbourne guide.

Good to know: Opening times, ticket prices and train timetables change seasonally, so it’s always worth checking each attraction’s website and planning your travel before you set off — especially for the castles and houses, which often close in winter.

Day trips from Eastbourne: FAQs