A getaway to England

Visit Eastbourne from Dieppe

With its blend of Victorian elegance and sweeping landscapes, Eastbourne embodies all the charm of English seaside resorts. Regarded as one of the sunniest towns in England, it boasts a long promenade and beaches at the foot of the South Downs.

But Eastbourne also has a few surprises in store: a famous pier, a vibrant cultural scene and, just outside the town, Beachy Head and the spectacular Seven Sisters cliffs. More than enough to fill a day… or tempt you to stay a little longer.

Contents

⛴️ Dieppe → Newhaven
Approx. 4-hour crossing

🚆 Newhaven → Eastbourne
About 15 minutes by train or 30 minutes by car

📅 How long should you allow?
At least a day, or a weekend to enjoy the town and its surroundings

How do I get to Eastbourne?

Once you’ve arrived in Newhaven by ferry, Eastbourne is easily accessible. If you’re travelling without a car, the railway station is just a few minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal, where trains and buses run to Eastbourne.

Eastbourne’s must-sees

Eastbourne is well worth a visit not only for its seaside charm but also for its cultural life and heritage. From the famous Pier to the artworks at the Towner Gallery, via the traces of its history, here are a few must-sees to help you explore the town.

Enjoy the seaside charm

With its long promenade, beaches and Victorian architecture, Eastbourne embodies all the charm of English seaside resorts. Take the time to stroll along the seafront, past the gardens and elegant façades of the Devonshire Quarter, all the way to its iconic Victorian pier.

Walk out over the English Channel to take in the view, then continue your stroll wherever the mood takes you: here, the seaside is an integral part of the art of living.

Discover Towner Eastbourne

With its colourful façade, Towner Eastbourne brings a decidedly contemporary touch to the resort. The gallery hosts exhibitions dedicated tomodern and contemporary art and boasts a significant collection of British art.

In particular, it houses the largest collection of works by Eric Ravilious, a British artist with close ties to the Sussex countryside.

Discover Eastbourne’s history

As you stroll around, keep an eye out: Eastbourne is dotted with heritage plaques commemorating the visits or stays of famous figures such as Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll and the explorer Ernest Shackleton.

Continue your walk to Holywell, to the west of the town centre, where one of the beach huts commemorates, amongst other things, the visit by King George V and Queen Mary in 1935.

Our favourite

Watch the sky come alive during Airbourne

Every summer, the Eastbourne seafront becomes the venue for Airbourne, one of Europe’s biggest free air shows. Over several days, aerial displays and shows take place one after the other over the English Channel, watched by thousands of spectators.

If your break coincides with the event, here’s yet another reason to head to Eastbourne!

Around Eastbourne

Fancy exploring a bit more? Just outside Eastbourne, spectacular cliffs, castles steeped in history and family-friendly outings offer some great ideas for exploring Sussex a little further.

● A family day out at Drusillas Park

Animals and attractions come together at Drusillas Park, a park particularly well-suited to families. It is home to over a hundred animals, including red pandas, sloths, lynx, capybaras and penguins.

A range of rides and leisure areas round off the visit, making it a perfect day out with the children.

● From Beachy Head to the Seven Sisters

From Eastbourne, set off to explore one of Sussex’s most spectacular landscapes. First stop: Beachy Head and its impressive chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. The coast then continues towards Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, an iconic series of white cliffs in the heart of the South Downs.

In summer, a double-decker tourist bus runs from Eastbourne to Beachy Head: a rather nice way to start the trip before, perhaps, continuing on foot.

● Explore Herstmonceux Castle

With its imposing 15th-century castle and gardens, Herstmonceux Castle offers another insight into English history.

Nearby,the Observatory Science Centre lets you discover impressive telescopes and a host of interactive experiences: an outing that should be particularly popular with families.

● Step back in time at Pevensey Castle

Just a few kilometres from Eastbourne, Pevensey Castle tells the story of nearly two millennia of history. A former Roman fortress, the site is best known as the place where William the Conqueror’s army landed in 1066.

Reused over the centuries, the castle even bears traces of its defensive role during the Second World War.

Find out more

Fancy finding out more? Find all the information you need to plan your break in Eastbourne, discover more ideas for places to visit, things to do and top spots on the official Visit Eastbourne website.

Explore the Visit Eastbourne website

A getaway to England