One Day in Eastbourne: The Perfect 24-Hour Itinerary

Morning: the seafront and pier

Start where Eastbourne shines brightest — the seafront. After breakfast, take a gentle stroll along the promenade, one of the best-kept seaside walks in the country. Begin at the pier, that graceful Victorian landmark reaching out over the waves, and wander westward past the famous Carpet Gardens, ablaze with thousands of flowers, and the elegant bandstand.

This is the Eastbourne of postcards: a broad, flat prom, colourful beach huts, deckchairs and the glitter of the Channel. Take your time, breathe the sea air, and let the morning ease you in. It is the ideal, unhurried start — and it sets you up perfectly for the drama to come. For the full route, see our Eastbourne seafront walk.

Midday: up to Beachy Head

Now for the showstopper. Continue west to the end of the seafront and climb — on foot for the energetic, or by the seasonal cliff bus for everyone else — up onto Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. The views from the top are simply breathtaking: sheer white cliffs plunging to the sea, the little red-and-white lighthouse far below, and the South Downs rolling away inland.

This is the highlight of any Eastbourne day. Bring a picnic to enjoy with a million-pound view, or pause for lunch up on the clifftop before soaking in the scenery. Give yourself time here — it is the kind of place that makes people fall in love with the town.

Afternoon: town and culture

Head back down into town for a change of pace. If the weather turns or you simply fancy some culture, the Towner art gallery is a must — a bold, brightly painted building housing a superb free collection of modern and contemporary art. It is one of Eastbourne’s cultural jewels, and it won’t cost you a penny.

Alternatively, spend the afternoon browsing the shops in the town centre, or escape the crowds by heading up to Old Town, the historic original heart of Eastbourne, with its ancient church and villagey feel. However you spend it, this is the moment to slow down, refuel and enjoy the town’s gentler charms.

Evening: sunset and dinner

As the day winds down, aim for the coast again. Eastbourne faces south and west along its cliffs, making it a wonderful place to watch the sun go down — the western end of the seafront around Holywell, or the heights of Beachy Head, are among the best sunset spots in Eastbourne, with the sky glowing over the sea and the Downs.

Round off your day with dinner in town — Eastbourne has a good spread of places to eat, from the seafront to the streets around the town centre — and, if you have the energy, catch a show at one of the town’s theatres or a summer concert at the bandstand. It is the perfect finale to a day that has taken you from Victorian elegance to wild clifftop and back.

Making the most of one day

With only 24 hours, a little planning goes a long way. Base yourself near the seafront or the station and you will spend less time travelling and more time enjoying. Wear comfortable shoes — this itinerary mixes flat promenade with a clifftop climb — and keep an eye on the weather, tucking the Towner gallery and the town centre up your sleeve as a rainy-day plan. Most of all, don’t try to cram in everything: Eastbourne rewards those who slow down and savour it.

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