Attractions Nearby Eastbourne, Day Trips and Excursions

(Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, UK)

Those spending a holiday in Eastbourne really will find the allure and enticing nature of the surrounding East Sussex attractions and South Downs countryside very hard to resist. At the top of most agendas is a day trip to the neighbouring city of Brighton and Hove, which is approximately 45 minutes away by road from Eastbourne and one of the UK's most popular seaside destinations.

If you decide to pay a visit to Brighton and Hove, then you can expect to find plenty to do, with children favouring the Brighton Sealife Centre, the Palace of Fun, the Hove Park Miniature Railway and the Palace Pier roller coaster, while parents will be overwhelmed at the spectacular Indian architecture of the breathtaking Royal Pavilion. Eastbourne also offers many further excursions and nearby attractions, with popular choices including Bognor Regis, Dover, Folkestone, Hailsham, Newhaven and Shoreham-by-Sea.

General Information

The seaside town of Hastings is located some 27 km / 17 miles to the east of Eastbourne and is home to an excellent Blue Reef Aquarium and evening ghost walks.

Other leading attractions in Hastings include a huge country park, the St. Clements Caves (Smugglers Adventure), Alexandra Park, historic cliff railways and a thriving fishing port.

Next door, the charming town of Battle is perhaps best known for being the very spot where the famous Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. Today, this epic battle is re-enacted every year without fail and proves to be a major attraction each October.

Also close to Eastbourne are the old attractions of Lewes, the county town of East Sussex. The ruins of Lewes Castle tend to be the star of the show in this town, while the Anne of Cleves House Museum is also worthy of some time as are the numerous antiques shops.

Further attractions within easy reach of Eastbourne include Herstmonceux Castle and its beautiful Elizabethan gardens, the Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre at Tunbridge Wells, and the 14th-century rectory owned by the National Trust at the picture-postcard village of Alfriston.

On the very outskirts of Alfriston, Drusillas Zoo Park really does appeal to all ages.

If you have time on your hands, then day trips to the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton are quite possible and both are around two hours from Eastbourne, where respective attractions include Nelson's HMS Victory battle ship and the medieval Bargate.