Magnificent Motors and More to Make the Most Perfect Vintage Visit to Eastbourne

Eastbourne has one of the most stunning Victorian promenades, Pier and many Victorian buildings which adds beauty and history to our Seaside Town. However, Eastbourne offers up so much more in the way of vintage for a stylish break by the sea.

For a truly vintage festival, a visit to Eastbourne this Bank Holiday weekend is a must, when 'Magnificent Motors' takes over Eastbourne's Western Lawns. The free festival will showcase hundreds of vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses and steam powered vehicles.

Step back in time and admire the beautiful motors on display, imaging the journey's they made in wartime Britain, the swinging sixties and post-war America, and learning about the stories behind the cars and their previous owners.

Modern day Ferrari's, Porsche and Lotus models are just a small handful of the beautiful motors which can be found at the seafront motoring festival, and every motoring fan will find something to get their gears going! 

Magnificent Motors runs between 2 and 3 May, and begins each day with a seafront cavalcade at 10am, from the Eastern Seafront (near to Sovereign Harbour) to the Western Lawns - showing off the vintage variety of vehicles for all to admire. The lawns will be filled with exhibits, live bands and childrens's rides to complete the vintage festival atmosphere. The four day continental market from 1-4 May, will have many delicious foods on offer, so why not take a picnic basket and blanket for a lunch beside the sea? Put the pedal to the metal and get yourself down to Eastbourne for stunning cars in the sunshine!

If you're looking for a way to explore the beautiful South Downs National Park, then jumping on board a 1920's Rolls Royce Tourer, on a brand new vintage chauffer-driven tour is the perfect way to see it. 

Work up an appetite taking in all the beauty of the Sussex countryside, and indulge in an Afternoon Tea at one of the many hotels and cafe's in Eastbourne offering up vintage teas. The Grand Hotel, often dubbed as 'Downton-by-Sea' is a classic and historical hotel of grand beauty, inside and out, and for an elegant Afternoon Tea this is where one should go. The clifftop Hydro Hotel offers up fabulous art deco interior and gorgeous gardens to devour a delicious Sussex cream tea in. The Redoubt Fortress's very own vintage styled cafe, The Outpost, serves a very purse friendly and appetizing 'General's Cream Tea', in surroundings reminiscent of a world-war two living room! 

On Friday 2 May, step back in time at the opening night of the Bandstand season - when the Legends Tribute extravaganza brings the Grade 2 listed Victorian Bandstand to life! The Legends Tribute Show will have you reliving your teenage memories as you dance away to hits from rock and pop legends from past decades, including Johnny Cash, Lionel Richie, Buddy Holly, The Euyrthmics, Bonnie Tyler, Madonna, Amy Winehouse and many many more! A dazzling firework display will make a grand finale ending to the show!

So, put your best frock on and come and experience the fabulous vintage fun on offer in Eastbourne this May Bank Holiday!

Come to Eastbourne for a Dirty Knees Up this Bank Holiday Weekend!

Eastbourne, usually a very clean town, is getting messy in May with a packed-out Bank Holiday weekend of dirty, mucky and down right messy fun! 

Magnificent Motors By Graham Huntley

Motoring fans can get messy with grease as they admire the 'Magnificent Motors' of over 400 classic and vintage cars, not to mention motorbikes, buses, vans, military and steam engines, all on the Western Lawns on Eastbourne's gorgeous seafront from 2-3 May. On Sunday night, head to the Arlington Stadium for even more high octane thrills when Eastbourne Eagles race in a national speedway league fixture on the dusty motorbike racing track.

Friday 1 May sees the Bandstand season kick off with a dramatic BANG with a fireworks display to end a concert of legendary rock and pop in the 'Legends TributeShow'. Get your rock on and remember your dirty concert days, with tributes acts impersonating Billy Idol, Prince, Dire Straits, Blondie and many many more!

Hilarious theatre show 'Dirty Dusting' on Saturday 2 May at the Royal Hippodrome, will challenge your perceptions of a housekeeping service. Staring ITV Benidorm’s Crissy Rock, this heart-warming comedy tells the story of three 'blue-rinse' cleaning ladies, who inadvertently start up a telephone sex chat line. 

For some grittier culture, why not take a self-guided Heritage Walking Tour and learn about the seedier side of Eastbourne’s history, discovering grisly murders and wartime events. The 200 year old Redoubt Fortress reveals some spooky cells and next door, Eastbourne’s new Summerdown Camp exhibition unearths some fascinating archaeological finds from the UK’s largest WW1 convalescent camp which opened in Eastbourne 100 years ago.

Eastbourne's promenade will become a hub for rich pungent smells, as the continental market provides gourmet cheeses and lots more of the smelly food variety, from 1-4 May. Clean up your act and treat your partner to a romantic picnic on the Western Lawns, whilst admiring the vintage vehicles. As the day draws to a close, head to the Grand Hotel, England’s only 5 star coastal luxury hotel, to enjoy the perfect Dirty Martini pre-dinner cocktail on the terrace. 

Foodies can get their hands dirty by the seaside, at The Belgian Cafe ripping open delicious mussels, which come in 50 different varieties. Or why not go for the classic seaside dinner in a paper bag, with fish and chips from The Chippy at the Pier - sit on the beach and enjoy the salty air as it blows through your hair!

The Mowbray 4 star guesthouse is offering free ‘Dirty Dusting’ theatre tickets with every booking of three nights or more.  To book call 01323 710012 or visit www.themowbray.com

For more information and accommodation visit www.visiteastbourne.com. 

Easter in Sunny Eastbourne

There are plenty of egg-citing goings on in Eastbourne this Easter Bank Holiday weekend, whether you need to entertain some little ones, or want to enjoy a great afternoon at the annual Easter Bandstand Concert, there is something to make you all happy bunnies!

Drusillas Bunny

The traditional Easter Concert kicks off the Bandstand season on Easter Sunday, and it's free for all to attend! The well known 'Eastbourne Silver Band' directed by Geoff Broom, will bring the Bandstand alive with the sound of brass music and sing along classical favourites. Come along and enjoy a great Easter afternoon with family and friends!

On Sunday 5 April and Monday 6 April, head to the Llama Park's Easter Fiesta at Ashdown Forest, where the park has something for all the family! Children will love the Craft Fair and family walks with the llamas! Parents can enjoy an 'Exhibition of Historic Vehicles', the 'Crawley Millenium Band' and a beer tent with chicken and chips baskets! 

Chocolate lovers will thoroughly enjoy following the Spring Bird Explorer Trail in the garden at Bateman's this Easter, with a Cadbury's prize at the end of it! Explore the grounds at Bateman's to spot the nests hidden in the garden and work out who laid the eggs! A Cadbury EggHead will be waiting at the end for those who complete this Easter quest!

Hop on board the Easter Eggspress at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway Park on Sunday 5 April, where a free Easter egg will be given to all children riding the train (whilst stocks last)!

Read more about Easter over on VisitEastbourne!

Happy Easter all!