Eastbourne may be the sunniest town in Britain, but even here the rain falls sometimes — and when it does, there’s no need to let it spoil the day. From a superb free art gallery and historic theatres to soft play, bowling, escape rooms, indoor pools and cosy tea rooms, the town has plenty to keep everyone happy and dry. Here’s our guide to a rainy day in Eastbourne.
Galleries, cinema and culture
Top of the list on any wet day is Towner Eastbourne, the town’s excellent contemporary art gallery. Entry is free, there’s a changing programme of exhibitions across several floors, a café to linger in, and the modernist Towner Cinema right alongside — you could easily spend half a day here. Eastbourne also has a proud theatre scene: the Devonshire Park Theatre, the larger Congress Theatre and the Royal Hippodrome — the oldest theatre in town — stage everything from touring productions to pantomime, so it’s always worth checking what’s on. The Beacon shopping centre has a full multi-screen cinema too, ideal for escaping a passing shower.
Family fun indoors
Rain and restless children are no match for Eastbourne’s indoor activity venues. For soft play, Fort Fun’s Indoor Adventure has multi-level slides, ball pits and tunnels with separate areas for the very youngest, while Ninja Arena offers purpose-built indoor soft play right inside The Beacon. Older kids and grown-ups can head for ten-pin bowling and laser tag, the games at Boom Battle Bar, or an escape room to test their wits. There’s also indoor roller skating at MySkateworld, and the Eastbourne aquarium and reptile centre for a dry, hands-on wildlife fix. And of course, a rainy day is a perfect excuse for a swim — the seafront Sovereign Centre and the Blue Lagoon Warm Water Centre both offer indoor pools.
Local tip: feeling creative? Eastbourne has several pottery and painting studios — a relaxed, cosy way to spend a wet couple of hours making something to take home. Check ahead for session times and booking.
Shopping and browsing
When the weather closes in, Eastbourne’s shops come into their own. The Beacon is the obvious refuge — a large covered centre right opposite the train station (less than a two-minute walk), with high-street names, cafés, a cinema and around 1,300 parking spaces. For something with more character, the independent shops, antique dealers and bookshops of Little Chelsea are made for a mooch — don’t miss Camilla’s Bookshop, a wonderful labyrinth of second-hand volumes famous for its resident parrot. Our Eastbourne shopping guide has the full picture.
Cosy corners
Sometimes the best rainy-day plan is simply to get warm and comfortable. Eastbourne does this beautifully, with plenty of welcoming pubs and cafés to shelter in, and a proper afternoon tea is the ultimate wet-weather treat. For a dose of local history under cover, the small RNLI museum near the Wish Tower — housed in a former boathouse and run by knowledgeable volunteers — tells the story of the town’s lifeboats and is well worth a look.
Beyond the town
If you don’t mind a short drive, the area around Eastbourne has some wonderful wet-weather options. Herstmonceux Castle, with its magnificent moated setting, and the historic Michelham Priory both offer indoor history (with grounds to explore if the rain eases). For families, indoor-and-outdoor attractions such as Drusillas Park and Knockhatch have plenty under cover too. As ever, opening times and seasons vary, so it’s worth checking ahead before setting off.
Good to know: opening hours, prices and seasonal closures change through the year, and some attractions are busiest when the weather turns — it’s always worth checking online and booking ahead for popular indoor venues on a wet day.
A rainy day in Eastbourne: FAQs
What is there to do in Eastbourne when it rains?
Plenty — the free Towner gallery and its cinema, the theatres, soft play and bowling for families, escape rooms, indoor pools, the shops of The Beacon and Little Chelsea, and cosy pubs and tea rooms. There’s easily enough to fill a wet day or two.
What indoor things can families do in Eastbourne?
Families are well served, with soft play at Fort Fun and Ninja Arena, ten-pin bowling and laser tag, escape rooms, indoor roller skating, an aquarium and reptile centre, and indoor swimming at the Sovereign Centre and Blue Lagoon Warm Water Centre.
Is Towner Eastbourne free?
Yes — entry to Towner Eastbourne is free, making it a brilliant rainy-day option. It has changing exhibitions across several floors, a café and an adjoining cinema, so you can happily spend a few hours there.
Where can I shop undercover in Eastbourne?
The Beacon is the main covered shopping centre, right opposite the train station, with high-street shops, cafés and a cinema. For independent and antique shops, the streets of Little Chelsea are perfect for a browse, including the famous Camilla’s Bookshop.
More ideas: see the best things to do in Eastbourne, plan a weekend in Eastbourne, or treat yourself to afternoon tea.