From a bustling twice-weekly town market to the vibrant continental stalls that line the seafront in summer, Eastbourne has a lively market scene worth seeking out. Whether you’re after local produce, artisan bread and cheese, vintage bargains or handmade crafts, here’s your guide to the best markets in Eastbourne and when to find them.
Eastbourne Borough Market
The mainstay of the town’s market scene is the Eastbourne Borough Market, which runs every Wednesday and Sunday all year round, roughly from 9.30am to 4pm, in the town centre around Terminus Road. It’s a friendly, traditional outdoor market where local traders sell a tempting mix of goods: artisan breads, cheeses, fresh fish and meats, fruit and vegetables, cakes and pastries, and hot street food, alongside stalls offering flowers, plants, clothes, jewellery, crafts, homeware, books and gifts. It’s a great spot to pick up something fresh or a bargain while you’re shopping in town.
The seafront continental market
The real showstopper is the continental market that transforms the seafront several times a year, most often over the Easter holidays and through the summer. Set out along Grand Parade between the pier and the bandstand, its colourful international stalls bring a wonderful holiday buzz to the promenade. You’ll find everything from French cheeses, olives, saucissons, fresh bread and crepes to paella, sweets, pottery, jewellery, Marseille soaps, lavender, leather goods and handmade crafts — a feast for the senses and a lovely way to spend an hour strolling by the sea. Each visit typically lasts a few days to a week or more.
Local tip: The continental market pairs perfectly with a seafront stroll — wander the stalls between the pier and bandstand, grab a crepe, and enjoy it on a bench overlooking the water.
Farmers’ markets and antiques fairs
For local, seasonal produce, keep an eye out for the farmers’ market that sets up in the square outside the Towner gallery and Congress Theatre in the Devonshire Quarter, filling the air with the scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee. Lovers of the vintage and unusual, meanwhile, are increasingly well served: antiques and collectors’ fairs such as “Antiques by the Seaside” have begun bringing traders and enthusiasts together in the heart of town for weekend events. These come and go through the year, so they’re always worth checking for before a visit.
Car boot sales
No guide to Eastbourne’s markets would be complete without its famous car boot sales. The long-running Mammoth Boot Fairs are a bargain-hunter’s paradise, running on Sundays and Mondays through the warmer months, from around April to October, with hundreds of stalls to rummage through and food vans to keep you fuelled. Whether you’re after vintage furniture, second-hand treasures or simply the thrill of the hunt, they’re a brilliant, quintessentially British day out.
Markets nearby
The market spirit extends beyond the town too. The pretty Downs village of East Dean holds a weekly village market, while nearby Hailsham has a popular Friday market and a monthly farmers’ market at its historic cattle market site, and Seaford hosts a regular street market. Combined with Eastbourne’s own, they make this a great corner of Sussex for anyone who loves a good browse.
Eastbourne markets: FAQs
When is Eastbourne’s market on?
The Eastbourne Borough Market runs every Wednesday and Sunday all year round in the town centre, roughly 9.30am to 4pm.
When is the continental market in Eastbourne?
The seafront continental market visits several times a year, especially around Easter and through the summer, on Grand Parade between the pier and the bandstand. Check current dates before you go, as they change each year.
Where is the continental market held?
Along the seafront promenade between the pier and the bandstand — an easy stroll from the town centre.
Are there car boot sales in Eastbourne?
Yes — the Mammoth Boot Fairs run on Sundays and Mondays from around April to October, with hundreds of stalls for bargain hunters.
More for shoppers and strollers: the full Eastbourne shopping guide, a walk along the seafront promenade, and everything in our guide to what’s on in Eastbourne.