Right on Eastbourne’s seafront, at the eastern end near Princes Park, sit two of the town’s most popular family attractions: Treasure Island and Fort Fun. Between them they offer pirate-themed adventure, soft play, mini golf and splashing about — a brilliant day out for younger children, whatever the weather. Here’s what to expect.
Treasure Island Adventure Park
Treasure Island is a swashbuckling, pirate-themed adventure park on Royal Parade, with a great mix of indoor and outdoor attractions to keep children entertained rain or shine. Its heart is Buccaneers, a large two-level indoor soft play area packed with slides, zip lines and activities, including a separate zone for the littlest tots, with a café for tired grown-ups. Outside, when the weather’s kind, Long John Silver’s outdoor adventure park sprawls across spacious parkland, with a pirate shipwreck to clamber over, a paddling lagoon to splash in and a sandy beach to dig for treasure. There’s also an 18-hole pirate-themed mini golf course, floodlit on summer evenings.
Local tip: The outdoor pirate park is seasonal, usually open from around May to September, while the indoor soft play and mini golf run for much more of the year — handy to know if you’re visiting outside the summer.
Fort Fun
A stone’s throw away sits Fort Fun, another long-standing family favourite on the same stretch of seafront. Today it’s centred on a popular indoor soft play centre, offering little ones room to climb, slide and burn off energy, with a café on site and annual memberships available for families who visit often. Together with Treasure Island, it makes this eastern end of the seafront a real hub of family fun, and a genuine lifesaver on a rainy day.
The surrounding area
Part of the charm here is the setting. Directly opposite lies Princes Park, with its boating lake — where you can try paddleboarding, canoeing or windsurfing with a local watersports outfit — plus gardens, a play area and tennis courts. The beach is right on the doorstep, and it’s an easy stroll or short bus ride along the promenade to the pier and the town. It all adds up to a great base for a full day out by the sea with the family.
Visiting and getting there
Both attractions are on Royal Parade at the eastern end of Eastbourne’s seafront, around two miles from the railway station and easily reached by the regular seafront bus services, which have several nearby stops. There’s pay-and-display parking at the Fort Fun car park opposite Princes Park, and on adjacent roads. Opening times and prices vary by season and attraction, so it’s worth checking the official websites before you set off, particularly for the seasonal outdoor areas.
Good to know: With their indoor soft play areas, both Treasure Island and Fort Fun are excellent options for a wet or windy day, when Eastbourne’s outdoor attractions are off the table.
Treasure Island & Fort Fun: FAQs
Where are Treasure Island and Fort Fun?
Both are on Royal Parade, at the eastern end of Eastbourne’s seafront near Princes Park, around two miles from the town centre and station.
What ages are they suitable for?
They’re aimed mainly at younger children, with soft play, a pirate adventure park and paddling areas, though the mini golf appeals to all ages.
Are they good for a rainy day?
Yes — both have indoor soft play areas, making them reliable all-weather options when it’s too wet for the beach.
Is the outdoor pirate park open all year?
No — Treasure Island’s outdoor adventure park is seasonal, usually open from around May to September, while the indoor soft play runs for much more of the year.
More family fun: ideas for Eastbourne with kids, the adventure park at Knockhatch, and things to do on a rainy day.