An Adrenalin-Filled, Family-Fun Season of Events in Eastbourne!

Eastbourne always promises to provide a season of fantastic events, from the fast-paced and high-intensity events to the more tranquil and relaxing ones, there will most certainly be something to suit the varying tastes of all, from the oldest visitors to the youngest visitors to Eastbourne this year! 

Take a look at all the major events happening in Eastbourne in 2016!

21 April - The Queen’s Birthday Beacon Lighting and Party

Come and join Eastbourne in celebrating the Queen’s 90^th Birthday with a Beacon Lighting and Party, completely free to attend. Opening with a party complete with DJ set from “DJ Oli”, the evening commences with a torch-lit procession, followed by the lighting of the Queen’s Birthday Beacon and firework display. Find more information at www.VisitEastbourne.com.

30 April - 1 May – Magnificent Motors

Celebrating the world of classic motoring, Magnificent Motors is a fabulously vintage free bank holiday festival, with over 600 classic cars, campers, bicycles, motorbikes, military vehicles and more exhibiting on Eastbourne’s seafront facing Western Lawns. With a cavalcade each day, the festival provides live music entertainment, food, drink and a funfair atmosphere, plus this year’s festival will be made complete with a four day Vintage market on Eastbourne’s promenade. Find out more at www.VisitEastbourne.com/magnificent-motors.

13-15 May - Museums at Night

Eastbourne’s 200 year old Napoleonic Redoubt Fortress will be joining in with national ‘Museums at Night’ events across the country, by putting on three film screenings across the three days; Alien (1979), The Mummy (1959) and a family friendly screening of One of my Dinosaur’s is Missing (1975) with fossil making and face-painting. Discover more at www.EastbourneMuseums.co.uk.

27-29 May - Beer and Cider by the Sea Festival

Eastbourne’s annual Spring bank holiday festival, Beer and Cider by the Sea takes place from 27-29 May on Eastbourne’s Western Lawns. Come and sample over 60 real ales; many brewed locally in Sussex, more than of 48 Ciders and Perries from the National Cider and Perry collection, plus wine, cocktails, Pimms and more! Wash it all down with a weekend line-up of live music on the festival stage. For ticket sales information and more go to www.VisitEastbourne.com/events.

11 June – Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival – (Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II 90^th Birthday)

The biggest seafront carnival in the South East returns to Eastbourne’s seafront, this year the carnival also celebrates the Queen’s 90^th Birthday. Expect extravagantly decorated floats, exquisite costumes and plenty of cheer fit for a royal celebration. For more information go to www.eastbournecarnival.co.uk.

12 June – Eastbourne Triathlon – New for 2016

Brand new for 2016, the Eastbourne Triathlon builds on Eastbourne’s reputation for hosting great coastal challenges in stunning surroundings. Participants will join elite triathletes, Ben Allen and Jackie Slack in swimming 600 metres in Eastbourne’s warm sea waters, cycling 25km in the stunning South Downs National Park and then running 5km run along Eastbourne’s glorious promenade. Go to www.eastbournetriathlon.com to enter.

18 -25 June - Aegon Eastbourne International (WTA Women's International Tennis)

The Aegon Eastbourne International is back for another adrenalin-filled week of tennis. It always attracts many of top ten international players from the world of women’s tennis, as they come to Eastbourne – the hometown of current British number 1, Johanna Konta - to battle it out for the ultimate, pre-Wimbledon trophy, and with the announcements that Petra Kvitova and defending champion Belinda Bencic will be returning to Devonshire Park this June, this year's tournament is already set to be a scorcher! Visit www.VisitEastbourne.com/tennis for information on booking and further tournament details.

18 -19 June - Eastbourne Feastival

In its second year, Eastbourne Feastival brings a fusion of international cuisine, culture, music and dance in a weekend long festival set in Eastbourne’s stunning Princes Park, a stone’s throw away from the beach, completely free to enter. Visit www.eastbournefeastival.com to discover more.

16 July - MCS Big Sea Swim

The Marine Conservation Society has chosen to hold its Big Sea Swim in Eastbourne for the fourth year running, due to Eastbourne’s high standards of clean sea water. Take the plunge and swim 1km or 3km on a hot summer’s day whilst raising money to support the conservation of the UK’s seas and oceans for everyone. Enter at www.mcsuk.org/swim.

16-17 July – Beach Life Festival including Eastbourne Extreme

Eastbourne’s Beach Life Festival kick starts the summer holidays with an adventure filled weekend on Eastbourne seafront, at the South Coast’s coolest free extreme sports festival. Featuring a line-up of land and water based outdoor pursuits, from 11am daily, the festival vibes continue with live entertainment on the music stage. Go to www.visiteastbourne.com/extreme for festival updates.

30-31 July - Lammas Festival – Folk Music and Dance

Lammas Festival brings folk music, dance and entertainment to Eastbourne’s seafront facing Western Lawns, in a free two day festival dedicated to marking the cutting of the first corn crop, a traditional folk celebration at the beginning of harvesting season. Discover more at www.lammasfest.org.

11-14 August - Airbourne - Eastbourne International Airshow

Eastbourne’s award-winning international airshow, Airbourne now in its 24^th year, flies into Eastbourne in August for another free four day event featuring many of the best display teams on the international circuit, with the RAF Red Arrows, King Air, Eurofighter Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight all confirmed to fly! Keep up to speed with flying line-up announcements at www.eastbourneairshow.com.

10-11 September – Steampunk Festival

Escape into a quirky unknown universe of the science-fiction sub-genre, Steampunk which sees Victoriana meeting the cyber-world. With unique Steampunk activities commencing throughout the two days and a Masquerade Ball on the evening of 10 September. Go to www.steampunkfestival.co.uk for further information.

24 September – 2 October – Coast and Country Walking Festival

Organised by Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council, the nine day festival offers a diverse range of tour-guided walks through some of East Sussex’s most beautiful terrain. From Nordic walking to brewery walks, the festival offers something for people from all walks of life. Visit www.sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk for more information.

1 October - Eastbourne Bonfire Society Procession, Fireworks & Bonfire

A torch-lit Bonfire Procession on Eastbourne’s seafront sees drummers, pipers, dancers and bonfire societies from all over the county joining the Eastbourne Bonfire Society to celebrate bonfire season in Sussex, a tradition dating back centuries, complete with a beach bonfire and grand firework display. More information at www.visiteastbourne.com.

6-8 October – Eastbourne Beer Festival

Get to Eastbourne’s much-loved Autumn Beer Festival to sample from range of over 160 real cask ales on tap, many quirky named brews and plenty of award winning ales, and many more delicious beverages from the Wine Bar, Cider Bar and the International Bottled Beers Bar. The festival dedicated to the nation’s favourite past-time would not be complete without pub games, live entertainment and some tasty treats to complement the fine drink on offer. For updates and ticket release information go to www.visiteastbourne.com/beer-festival.

29 October – Beachy Head Marathon and 10K Race

Eastbourne’s Beachy Head Marathon is renowned for being one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK, popular for its scenic and challenging route through the South Downs National Park countryside. The race now incorporates a 10k run, for a slightly smaller challenge, but with the same reward of breathtaking views. Enter now at www.BeachyHeadMarathon.org.uk.

3-18 December – Eastbourne Christmas Market

After the first successful Christmas Market, Eastbourne’s Chamber of Commerce brings the traditional wooden stall Christmas market back to the Bandstand for a longer sting in 2016. Explore the market, feast on festive favourite foods, buy some unique Christmas gifts and marvel at the Bandstand’s beautiful transformation into a Winter Wonderland. Find out more at www.VisitEastbourne.com

Keep up to date with a complete guide to all Eastbourne events at www.VisitEastbourne.com/events.

Tennis Tuesdays - Anne Keothavong Coaches Women Getting Back Into Tennis!

As the action on the courts at Devonshire Park heats up at Aegon International this week, retired tennis star and former British number 1, Anne Keothavong took part in Tennis Tuesdays on Tuesday 23 June;  bringing her skill and expert knowledge to help coach a group of women on a beautiful sunny evening in Eastbourne.

Tennis Tuesdays is an initiative set up by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), in association with Nike, to encourage more women to get back into or to begin playing tennis! Launched this summer, Tennis Tuesday sessions are taking place in towns and cities across the country including Eastbourne at Gildredge Park tennis courts and Fisherman's Green tennis courts.

On Tuesday 23 June, when Anne Keothavong coached 12 women, some who regularly play tennis and others who haven't played in years - but all wanting to improve their game and have fun - VisitEastbourne was invited along to watch!

Anne may have been retired from professional tennis for two years now, but she definitely hasn't lost her trophy-winning skill on the court. It was great to watch the women enjoying tennis, whilst practicing their backhands, deep shots and drop shots and being guided by Anne and the other tennis coaches on the courts.

The women taking part all had a lot of fun and it didn't take long for the competitive streak to come out in some of them. Anne Keothavong was extremely friendly and relaxed, apart from her tremendous skill on the court, no one would have know she was a tennis star, she just seemed like one of the other 12 women having fun and playing tennis on a sunny Tuesday evening. After the session was over, Anne happily answered a few questions for us.

VE: What are your top tennis training tips for women starting out or getting back into tennis?

AK: Just to be open-minded and enjoy the challenge of training, nothing is ever easy but you just have to keep going with it and it will get easier. Be patient when improving your skills, enjoy the training and the more you play the better you'll get. It's also a really nice way to meet and interact with new people.

VE: Have you been enjoying the Aegon International Eastbourne this year?

AK: Yeah it's great, as a retired player I now work for BT Sport as a pundit and commentator so obviously I'm here in a different capacity than I have been in the past. I got to see Johanna Konta win today which was great, and it's amazing to watch some of the junior girls playing excellent tennis; watching the stars of the future is great!

VE: What is your favourite thing about Eastbourne?

AK: As a player I always enjoyed coming here as it's a relaxed atmosphere with superb courts and excellent support.

VE: What is life like for you now that you've retired from tennis?

AK: Well it's been two years since I retired and life has changed quite a bit in those two years. I got married and we're expecting our first child, so very different from the years of professional tennis. Tennis is still very much a big part of my life in my current work, which is really nice. I don't have to spend so much time in airports now which is also great!

With Aegon International Eastbourne being a women's tournament, it's the perfect time to inspire women all over the country to take up tennis. Whether it's to have some fun with friends or to enjoy a bit of competition, Tennis Tuesdays offer an opportunity for women to show their tennis talent, in a sociable environment, helping to remove some of the barriers to sport that women often face.

Anne was lovely to talk to and it was extra special to see her sharing her tennis talent and skill with so many enthusiastic women on Eastbourne's gorgeous grass courts! It definitely inspired us to get the racket out and start hitting them balls on a Tuesday evening this summer!

Learn more about Tennis Tuesdays and Tennis in the Park with the LTA! 

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?

Join a Free Walking Tour or Discover Your Saxon Roots this Sussex Day

Eastbourne will be celebrating Sussex Day this year with free entry to key attractions, along with historical talks and a free walking tour along the seafront.

The annual county-wide celebration on Monday 16 June, will see residents and visitors learning to speak Saxon at the Eastbourne Ancestors exhibition, along with the chance to discover more about life in the Royal Sussex Regiment, with free entry and a talk at the Redoubt Fortress. 

Also celebrating 40 years of the Aegon International tennis, a free historical walking tour will uncover more about the tournament’s history, along with many more historical highlights along Eastbourne seafront.  Run by Eastbourne Walking Tours the 90 minute free guided walk will kick off at 10.30am from the front of the Aegon International and Towner entrance, with donations collected for the Beachy Head Chaplaincy charity.

The annual celebration, which takes place on St Richard’s Day, marks the anniversary of the patron saint of Sussex every 16th June.  However it is from the ‘South Saxons’ that the county took its name, after they landed in AD477, later making Sussex a kingdom in its own right. 

To celebrate this the Eastbourne Ancestors exhibition will be revealing more dark secrets in a talk at 2pm at The Pavilion, with the chance to try on traditional Saxon costumes and try speaking the Saxon language. 

Heritage fans can look forward to free entry at the Redoubt Fortress throughout the day, including a talk at 11am on the county’s very own Royal Sussex Regiment.  With famous war poet Edmund Blunden serving in the regiment, an exhibition opens this Saturday exploring his life and work, particularly during World War One.

Art lovers can enjoy a free 30 minute guided tour at Towner at 11.30am and explore the exhibitions including Sussex based artists such as Eric Ravilious and the Bloomsbury group at ‘Designing the Everyday’ which runs until 31 August.

After a busy day of tours, The Pavilion will be offering Sussex Cream Teas at the bargain offer of just £5 for two people.

Visitors can also discover more offers for Sussex Day at VisitEastbourne.com including free entry to the Ashdown Forest Llama Park, 50% off at Treasure Island’s adventure golf and a special discounted £5 entry price for all at The Observatory.

For more information on all events and offers visit VisitEastbourne.com or LoveSussex.com.