Snuggle up and get cosy in Eastbourne this Autumn

As the trees turn from green to brown and the temperatures fall, Eastbourne has it covered for things to do this Autumn to keep you warm and cheery.

Runners enjoying the Beachy Head Marathon

Eastbourne's incredible action packed events season has wound to an end for another year culminating in one of the best ever Beachy Head Marathon with the most perfect of weather; though this is not a reason to hibernate for the winter until it all starts off again in 2015. Instead get out and about and explore some of Eastbourne's gems.

Alfriston Village

Now is the perfect time of year to sling on a scarf, get your finest tea cosy out to keep your head warm and take a lovely stroll across the South Downs. Take full advantage of Eastbourne's great location nestled in the downlands and head over to one of the many quaint Sussex village including Jevington, East Dean, Litlington or Alfriston. Each village naturally has the 'essential' local pub where guests can relax with a warming scotch and put your feet up next to open roaring fires. The Plough & Harrow at Litlington even has a dedicated room, 'The Snug' in which the tables are cosy with an original fireplace to warm up before the walk back.

Beauty & the Beast
c Peter Gurr

For the rainy days, Eastbourne's Theatre-land comes alive in November with a crammed calendar of shows including the Russian State Ballet and Saturday Night Fever, but not forgetting of course the essential part to any festive period, 'He's behind you'....it's the Beauty and the Beast.
Eastbourne Panto returning with what is set to be another Jordan productions epic with the audience in hysterics.

If you're looking for something a bit different then be sure to head to the Ancestors Exhibition at the Pavilion where the home of the mysterious Beachy Head Lady and many other fascinating archaeological finds are housed, will be staying open for an extra month due to popular demand. 

The free exhibition which discovers Eastbourne’s Roman and Saxon roots, using ground-breaking scientific bone analysis and cranio-facial reconstructions, will now remain open until 19 December.

The Winter Wonderland Illuminations at Drusillas Park

As I write, I'm compiling a list of everything Christmasy happening in Eastbourne. The list currently stands at a total of 57 events! There really is so much happening in this festive period in Eastbourne ranging from street Markets in Meads, Seaside, Little Chelsea and Alfriston to dazzling Winter Wonderland Illuminations at Drusillas Park and Santa Fun Run's along the seafront!

Not forgetting of course Eastbourne’s iconic seafront Bandstand will provide a Christmas Day highlight for residents and visitors, as the traditional free concert returns for a triple bill over the festive period.

With packed seafront hotels and more than 4,000 festive fans expected, the seafront venue will provide yuletide entertainment on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – all completely free of charge.

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Our Exclusive Interview With Santa!

To our VisitEastbourne fans… you’ve stuck by us all year round through scorching heat waves and the December wind and rain, so here’s our Christmas gift to all you good girls and boys – an exclusive interview with the man himself…  Santa Claus!

Santa, we are delighted you are taking time out of your busy pre-Christmas schedule to talk to us today.  You must be busy at your Christmas Cottage in Drusillas Park, how’s it all going?

Everything is going very merrily indeed. I have a lot of help from my elves and we are having a lovely time meeting all the boys and girls at Drusillas Park and finding out what they would like for Christmas. My Cottage is bursting with presents the elves have made ready for delivery on Christmas Eve and children can sit on my sleigh, which is parked just outside, to have their photo taken.

Have the people of Eastbourne been good this year?

Yes, Eastbourne has such a wonderful community spirit I think you’ve all been amazing this year.  Your Santa Fun Run event for charity tickled me greatly, what fun I had jogging along! And your 12 days of Christmas Competition was a great celebration and I was happy to supply the gifts early - it’s so important at Christmas time to celebrate what we have, and to help those in need.

Your team of reindeer must be getting ready for their big trip on Christmas Eve, how do you prepare them?

Like all animals, it is very important that I care for my reindeers properly to ensure they remain happy and healthy; after all they have a very important job to do!

I always make sure they are well fed and have plenty of fresh water and during December I give them extra helpings of grass, moss, birch and willow leaves to help them through the long night on the 24th December.

My pre-flight checks involve a thorough look at their antlers and hooves! After Christmas male reindeers lose their antlers before new ones grow back again for next year. During the winter months, their hoof pads also shrink and tighten to help with the cold conditions…and reduce slipping on rooftops!

What other animals live near your main home at the North pole?

 When I’m back home at the North Pole, I see a whole host of other wildlife, including polar bears, seals, whales, arctic foxes, arctic wolves and sometimes the beautiful snowy owl, like the two at Drusillas. I have to come to the zoo though to see penguins - they live in the South Pole which lots of people don’t realise!

Do you have any special gifts for the people of Eastbourne?

Next year is going to be very exciting indeed as we have another great list of events planned with Magnificent Motors, Carnival, Tennis, Extreme, Airbourne, two beer events and much more!

How do you celebrate on Christmas Day?

Well delivering presents all around the world is quite exhausting, so I always have a little nap and feed the reindeer when I get home.  I’m usually refreshed by mid morning, so with a little Santa magic, I might take Mrs Claus to the free Christmas Day concert at the Redoubt Fortress for some festive singing and dancing.

What festive gifts will you and Mrs Claus be getting each other this year?

I have a book on Eastbourne History for Mrs Claus as she is very excited to go to the new Ancestors Exhibition at the Pavilion in February. She’ll be ready to see the fascinating reconstructions and findings that the Ancestors team have uncovered.

I’m hoping for panto tickets to see Aladdin at the Devonshire Park Theatre – the evil Abanazaar is being a bit greedy wanting the magic lamp, so he won’t be getting any Christmas presents this year!

What’s your favourite Christmas Film?

It’s got to be White Christmas, I try and watch it every year but I am extra excited this year as the stage version is on at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre! Opening on 19 December and running to 4 January, the show is based on the paramount film and includes some fantastic festive cheer and songs, including the famous ‘White Christmas’. I can’t wait!

Thank you Santa for taking the time to talk to us, before we go - any special requests?

A mince pie or two and a carrot for Rudolph would be lovely, however the most important thing is for you all to have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, help those around you and celebrate your wonderful town of Eastbourne!

Merry Christmas Santa!

Visit Santa in his Christmas Cottage at Drusillas Park between now and 23 December, open from 10am to 5pm each day.