Things to Do
Best things to do in Eastbourne, attractions, days out, and places to visit for visitors, families, and residents.
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Firle Place: The Gage Family’s 500-Year Sussex Home
Firle Place near Eastbourne — the Tudor mansion behind a Georgian face that has been home to the Gage family for over 500 years. Sir John Gage and Henry VIII, General Thomas Gage and the American Revolution, a world-class Old Master art collection, the greengage plum, and Firle Beacon’s Armada history. A guide to visiting…
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Michelham Priory: England’s Longest Moat, Near Eastbourne
Michelham Priory near Eastbourne — a medieval Augustinian priory founded in 1229, set on an island ringed by England’s longest water-filled moat. Eight hundred years of history: Tudor dissolution under Henry VIII, links to Cromwell and Anne of Cleves, a 15th-century gatehouse and working watermill, wartime evacuees, and a Wolf Hall cameo. A perfect family…
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Alfriston: A Day Out in Sussex’s Prettiest Village
A guide to Alfriston, one of England’s prettiest villages, a few miles from Eastbourne in the Cuckmere Valley. The National Trust’s first-ever property at Alfriston Clergy House, the “Cathedral of the Downs” church, historic smuggling inns, superb South Downs walks and nearby days out, plus how to visit.
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Herstmonceux Castle & the Observatory Science Centre
A guide to visiting Herstmonceux Castle from Eastbourne — a magnificent 15th-century moated brick castle near Hailsham, with themed Elizabethan gardens, woodland and a folly, plus the green domes of the Observatory Science Centre, former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. History, highlights and how to get there.
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Things to Do in Eastbourne with Kids
The best things to do in Eastbourne with kids — from the beach, pier and pirate-themed Treasure Island to Fort Fun’s aqua park, the miniature railway and Drusillas zoo, plus rainy-day soft play, pools and bowling, and practical tips for a family day out by the sea.
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Hastings from Eastbourne: A Day Trip Guide
A short hop east of Eastbourne lies historic Hastings, around 35 minutes by direct train. Our day-trip guide covers the medieval Old Town, the Stade fishing beach and net shops, the cliff railways, Hastings Castle, the pier and its 1066 heritage.
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Lewes from Eastbourne: A Day Trip Guide
Just 20 minutes by direct train from Eastbourne lies Lewes, the ancient county town of East Sussex. Our day-trip guide covers Lewes Castle, Anne of Cleves House, Harvey’s Brewery, the medieval twittens and the famous Bonfire Night.
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Brighton from Eastbourne: A Day Trip Guide
Just along the coast from Eastbourne lies buzzing, bohemian Brighton — barely 40 minutes by direct train. Our day-trip guide covers getting there plus the Royal Pavilion, Palace Pier, the Lanes, the Brighton i360 and more.
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Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway: A Family Day Out
The Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway is a family-run adventure park where one-eighth-scale steam and diesel trains loop a lakeside country park. With a maze, crazy golf, playgrounds and a café, it’s a great-value family day out. Full visitor guide.
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Towner Eastbourne: A Guide to the Art Gallery
Towner Eastbourne is the largest art gallery in the South East — free to enter, home to the world’s biggest Ravilious collection, and host of the Turner Prize. A complete guide to the gallery, its history, collection, cinema and how to visit.