Put the Spring Back in Your Step in Eastbourne!

Today is an absolutely beautiful day in Eastbourne, and with the temperature warming up and the sun shining daily, the team at Visit Eastbourne has become extremely excited for Spring, inspiring this week's blog post!

Daffodils are starting to pop up in places all around the town, and a walk in the fresh Eastbourne air is the perfect way to get in touch with nature this Spring. Whether it's taking in the sea air with a walk along the promenade, or a longer country walk over the South Downs, your senses will be spoiled with the wonders of Spring time in Eastbourne. Why not make a day of it and enjoy a coastal walk over the Downs, walking the 17.5 kilometers from Eastbourne to Alfriston? Pack a picnic and find a sunny spot for lunch, or refuel at the Eight Bells pub in Jevington, who serve delicious seasonal food and locally brewed ales.

Another essential South Downs Spring time experience, is the beginning of the lambing season at the Seven Sisters Sheep Centre. Not just for children, everyone can enjoy the heart-warming experience of seeing new life come into the world, in the form of four-legged white fluffy animals. Lambing season begins on 7 March, continuing through until 4 May. In this time, meet 50 different breeds of sheep, help to bottle feed the lambs at feeding times of 11.30am and 3.30pm, and hopefully see some lambs being born in the lambing yard! For an extra special outing, experience the life of a farmer and attend night time lambing, at exclusive bookable time-slots.

For a magical Spring evening, attend one of the two remaining 'Stargazing for Everyone' nights at the Redoubt Fortress. The Eastbourne Astronomical Society are sharing their extensive knowledge of the dazzling night sky, providing telescopes and binoculars for all to use. Jupiter, stars and craters on the moon; all of these can be seen from the gun platform of the Redoubt on 28 February from 7pm and 28 March from 8pm. These events are free to attend, making for a great family outing or a romantic evening for two - just make sure to wrap up warm!

Visit the emotive World War One exhibition of Summerdown Camp - the UK's first and largest convalescent camp which opened in Eastbourne 100 years ago. The exhibition, which uncovers the stories of the thousands of injured soldiers who recovered at the camp and working women who nursed them back to health, is open at Eastbourne Pavilion from 16 March until 15 November. A special commemorative event will be held on 8 April, 100 years to the day that the camp opened. Step back in time and experience the daily life of Summerdown Camp residents. Take part in basket making and embroidery, two vital therapies undertaken at Summerdown; try on a 'Blue Boys' uniform, have a guided tour of the exhibition and talk to relatives of camp soldiers about their ancestor's experiences.

Towner has a very moving exhibition from Israeli artist, Ori Gersht, on throughout the Spring; visit the free exhibition from now until 26 April. Take in the beauty of the two major moving image works, Evaders (2009 from the Towner collection) and The Forest (2005), along with a series of mesmerizing large scale photographs; all tracing the journey of writer and poet, Walter Benjamin through the Pyrnees in his escape from 1940's Nazi regime.

With Easter not too far away, now is an egg-cellent time to start making plans for the Easter weekend and school holidays. Eastbourne Miniature Railway Park will have free Easter Eggs (while stocks last) for all children riding the railway over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The Bandstand will hold its much-loved traditional annual Easter Sunday Concert (5 April). Enjoy the sounds of the Eastbourne Silver Band with family and friends from 2.30pm. The Seven Sisters Country Park are holding a special Easter family event on March 30. Children aged 5-11 can get creative, decorating eggs with paint, glue and more, sow seeds to celebrate new life this Spring and follow a wildlife Easter trail through the woods.

Look out for more inspiring ways to spend Spring days in and around Eastbourne!

Your February Half Term Fun in Eastbourne!

We're here to help with the all important planning for half term, providing you with ideas for indoor and outdoor activities to keep children of all ages entertained and happy this February!

The Llama Park at Forest Row is great for outdoors fun whilst enjoying some of the wonderful four-legged creatures of the world. Home to herds of llamas and alpacas, reindeer, Spanish horses and Jacob Sheep, the Llama Park is currently offering 2 for 1 on admission, with a voucher redeemable on VisitEastbourne. The park also offers Llama walks, for those children who want to take the lead. 

The half term will see the first visits by lovable characters, Hello Kitty and the Fat Controller to Drusillas Park, the UK's best small zoo! The Fat Controller will be back running the Thomas and Friend's Railway on 17 February, whilst Hello Kitty fans can meet the Japanese kitty in her Drusillas house, having a souvenir photo taken, on 18 February. 

On Wednesday 18 February, take the children to Towner for the morning to watch Japanese animation Ponyo. This is a free screening of the animated underwater adventure which tells the magical story of a curious young goldfish on her quest to become a human. Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid, this is sure to entertain aspiring young mermaids and mermen.

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise... Not quite the woods, but Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Hotel are hosting a Teddy Bear's Picnic for children and their bears on February 18 at 12-2pm. A picnic will be provided for all children for the price of £7.50 - a seaside picnic not to be missed!

For the more active children Tennis in the Park, at Gildridge Park are holding a Tennis Holiday Camp. Suitable for both beginners and more advanced tennis players, children will learn new skills and improve on existing ones in a fun and relaxed environment. And for parents, relax in the Love All Cafe with delicious breakfast, lunch, snacks, hot and cold drinks served all day long.

It might be half term, but it doesn't mean that children's learning has to stop. The Observatory Science Centre in Herstmonceux has a fun interactive afternoon workshop; 'A Hearty Work Out' for children aged 6-9 on Tuesday 17 February, in which they will learn all about how the heart works to keep them alive. The creative workshop will have them making their own stethoscopes, learning how to check their pulse and making yummy heart melting chocolates.

Enjoy some Disney magic on stage in 'Aladdin JNR' at the Royal Hippodrome, telling the story of 'street rat' Aladdin, as he falls in love with Princess Jasmine and fights with the evil Jaffar for her hand in marriage. Catch an afternoon or evening performance between 18 and 21 February!

For more half-term attractions and events go to the Visit Eastbourne half term page!

10 Things We Love About Eastbourne

In the run up to Valentine's Day, the team at Visit Eastbourne have gone all sentimental over the lovely little seaside town we live and work in. So, we've declared what it is we love about Eastbourne and put it altogether here in this list - 10 Things We Love About Eastbourne!

1. I love the stunning view of Eastbourne as you run over the Downs from Beachy Head - it takes your breath away! And on a dry, crisp day, we love taking our kids on their bikes along the cycle path from the Sovereign Centre, and stopping at The Pavilion for cake and hot chocolates! - Laura F

2. There are so many quirky and lovely independent shops in Eastbourne. I love that I can always find a special gift for a friend, or a treat for myself in these unique little shops. - Sarah

3. I love going for walks along the seafront and around the Sovereign Harbour. Particularly during the summer it’s lovely to sit outside one of the restaurants and watch the boats sail by whilst enjoying a meal. - Cat 

4. Going for a walk in the beautiful Italian Gardens and then having lunch in the Western View cafe is one of the most relaxing ways to spend an afternoon in Eastbourne. - Annie

5. I sometimes find myself standing outside the gates of St Mary's Church in Old Town and imagining the countless people who have gazed at the same view over the 900 or so years it has stood here. It makes me feel part of a community that spans the generations and about whom it is my work to discover. - Jo

6. There is so much that I love - The anticipation of tennis week in June as all the branding is erected around town, and then the late evening shadows on the tennis courts at Devonshire Park with the sun going down and the gentle thud of tennis balls against rackets. Eating fish and chips from the paper, sitting on Eastbourne seafront us the sun goes down with music playing from the Bandstand will always be one of my favourite past-times. - Mike

7.  I love a good night out in Eastbourne. Starting off with a few drinks in one of the swanky cocktail or wine bars, followed by dancing with friends in TJ's nightclub until the early hours! - Laura G

8. I love walking along Eastbourne’s prom with the family.  Whatever the weather it’s great to get out in the fresh air with those glorious sea views.  We often stop for coffee and cake in one of the seafront cafes or if we’re feeling energetic walk from the seafront onto the Downs to explore the South Downs Way – bliss! - Lisa 

9. I love the many beautiful parks in Eastbourne, and I especially love to spend a hot summers afternoon in the gardens next to the former Towner Gallery in Gildridge Park. Then when it turns a little cooler, to stroll over the road to the Counting House for evening drinks in the beer garden. - Beth

10. One of my favourite things about Eastbourne is Airbourne  - I love to go up to Beachy Head to watch the flying displays, it's such an amazing spot to view the planes from - and the view of Eastbourne from there is also incredible! - Amanda







Eastbourne really is a special town, we love it. What do you love about Eastbourne and why?