Family Summer breaks in Eastbourne 2013

Family Summer breaks in Eastbourne 2013

Eastbourne is the sunniest place in the UK and with an extensive events programme which is well under way, a mix of family attractions, the South Downs and a stunning seaside, Eastbourne has something for everyone to enjoy.

Eastbourne has over 3 miles of unspoilt beaches and promenade. There are safe bathing zones, showers, toilets, refreshments and beach merchandise available along with deck chairs, parasols and sun loungers available to hire. Kidsafe safety wristbands are also available along with the chance for children to take part in lifeguard courses on the seafront.

As well as pebbled beaches, the seafront has outdoor tennis courts, a skate park and windsurfing lessons at Spray Watersports available.

Eastbourne is the gateway to the National South Downs Park where there are miles of down land ready for family picnics! The Downs are also home to the Seven Sisters Sheep centre, just a mile away from Beachy Head and offering families a unique opportunity to meet over 50 different breeds of sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, chickens, rabbits! Sheering of the sheep also happens this time of year, so a perfect time to go!

To combine the stunning seaside and the South Downs National Park, visitors can take an adventure boat trip from the Sovereign Harbour to Beachy Head with Sussex Voyages. Trips vary from 30 minutes to an hour and kids go free until the end of July with the visiteastbourne voucher – downloadable online.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “Eastbourne really is the perfect getaway for families. With a list of outdoor and indoor activities, a range of accommodation and stunning unspoilt beaches, there is something for everyone to enjoy!”

Eastbourne is the home of the first outdoor water park in the South East; Fort Fun Splash Park. Fort Fun is a family amusement park with a variety of attractions. Visitors can enjoy the super splash park and various rides plus an 18 hole golf course. In addition there is an indoor soft play area.

Just along from Fort Fun, families can also visit Treasure Island; a pirate themed adventure park where children can climb the shipwreck with slides, bridges, netted walkways and zip slides plus a paddling pool and sandy beach in spacious parkland.

In the same area of the Seafront, Princes Park is the home to another outdoor splash pad. Children can safely play amongst the fountains and small pools after visiting the play parks, large lake and café.

Eastbourne has a vibrant urban sports scene with skating showing to be a popular activity. Skate lessons and discos are available from the Sk8 School and Eastbourne Skating Club at the Sovereign Centre and skate parks. All ages are welcome to join in the fun whilst visiting Eastbourne!

The Napoleonic Redoubt Fortress is located on Eastbourne seafront and was built to defend the south coast from Napoleon’s forces. Visitors can come and discover over 200 years of history with hands on children’s activities, daily cannon firing and paintballing! In addition refreshments are available from the vintage themed café; The Outpost.

To get to these attractions and to take an enjoyable ride down the seafront, visitors can take the Dotto Train, stopping at destinations from Harbour Reach to Holywell.

To add to the exciting list of attractions, Eastbourne offers Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway, a railway adventure where visitors can travel for nearly a mile on the 1/8^th scale miniature trains. There is also a nature walk around the lake, adventure playground, model railways, café and gift shop.

For entertainment throughout the summer holidays, the Bandstand hosts Kids Party Nights every Tuesday evening from 23 July – 27 August. The shows are a real treat for the summer with fun songs from Mamma Mia, Glee and many more. Plus there is FREE face painting.

There are some great things to do in Eastbourne that won’t cost a penny, including rock pooling in the marine conservation area at Falling Sands followed by a picnic in the hidden Cliffside Italian Gardens; or cycling on the Downs, Cuckoo trail or Eastern seafront. Visitors could also try picking their own fruit from Sharnfold farm where there is FREE entry to see animals, a walking trail and playground.

Eastbourne is set to host Eastbourne Extreme and Airbourne.

Eastbourne’s popular extreme sports festival returns to the eastern seafront on 13 and 14 July with a great line up combining an exciting mix of air, land and water based outdoor pursuits.

Airbourne, Eastbourne’s International Airshow takes over the seafront from 15 – 18 August. The four day FREE seafront airshow will see daily displays from the Red Arrows along with the Belgian Air Component F-16, The Typhoon, Chinook, Tucano and many more!

Just outside of Eastbourne, families can visit the multi award winning Drusillas Park Zoo, which claimed the Tourism South East Visitor Attraction of the Year award in 2010/11. Home to hundreds of fascinating creatures, this family run park promises plenty of animal magic for young and old. The Thomas & Friends™ train offers rides all year round and there’s fun whatever the weather in the indoor Amazon Adventure soft play area.

Also on Eastbourne’s doorstep is Pevensey Castle. Visitors can explore the castle and museum after just a 5 minute car or train ride from Eastbourne. Alternatively visitors can explore science on a grand scale at the Observatory Science Centre in Herstmonceux.

Eastbourne has over 7500 bed spaces available in hotels and guesthouses, with a large portion of them located on the seafront. There are many family friendly hotels including the Guest House East, a modern, stylish, highly rated guesthouse located just a pebble’s throw from the beach. Family rooms are available sleeping up to 5, which come with a kitchen so families can prepare food if required. Breakfast is also available in the hotel.

For more information go to www.visiteastbourne.com