Go retro in Eastbourne for the Queen's 60th year on the throne!

This week the Queen celebrated 60 years on the throne, the second longest reigning monarch in British history. With a whole host of celebrations coming up in 2012 for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, including a bumper weekend in Eastbourne from 2 - 5 June with Eastbourne Fiesta, the occasion has reignited the Brits' love affair with all things retro!

If you fancy some 50s style fun for yourself then read on to find our retro-inspired highlights in Eastbourne for the Diamond Jubilee year!

Traditional Afternoon Tea

Eastbourne is peppered with cosy tea rooms and sumptuous hotel lounges to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. Don't miss Dicken's Tea Cottage in South Street. One of the town's best kept secrets and originally built in 1719, it has been a tea room for more than 50 years. Enjoy a visit in 2012, even more timely with the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens, who is said to have visited the property when it was previously a boarding house.

Eastbourne Tea Dances at the Winter Garden
Put on your dancing shoes and spend an afternoon tripping the light fantastic at a Winter Garden tea dance. With live music accompaniment, put your best dancing shoes on and enjoy an afternoon for all - whatever your dancing ability!

Make, Do and Mend
There's nothing quite like the satisfaction you get out of making something yourself! Hot foot it down to The Owl and Sewing Cat in the Grand Hotel Shopping Parade and take your pick of beautiful fabrics and haberdashery tools. Book yourself onto an Open Sewing Workshop or take a Crochet and Knitting Class and have a go at the latest revival trend sweeping the nation!

Whisks at the ready!
Cute pastel coloured cupcakes are the flavour of the moment! Book yourself onto a Cupcake Baking Class or Cupcake Decorating Party at The Really Scrumptious Cake Company in Eastbourne's Enterprise Centre and make your own very special cupcakes.

Rock n Roll Concerts
Book now for a rock n roll tribute concert at Eastbourne's iconic 1930s Bandstand - every Saturday night in July and August. Choose from rock n roll favourites such as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Chuck Berry.

Eastbourne Fiesta
Celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend at Eastbourne Fiesta from 2-4 June. Enjoy food theatre, a giant Tug of War competition, and Eastbourne's very own Flotilla.

What are you waiting for? Celebrate retro in Eastbourne in 2012!

Emma