Get your Boots on and Head for the Hills for the Coast and Country Walking Festival!

After a very successful first year of the Coast and Country Walking Festival in 2014, Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council are bringing it back for a whole nine days this September and October!

Coast and Country Walking Festival in Eastbourne and Wealden runs from 26 September through to 4 October and is aimed at walkers of varying ages, abilities and even interests, so you're sure to find a walk which is right for you.

Although one of the main aims of the walks is to get people active, energized, fit and healthy, the festival is also the perfect way to take in the outstanding natural beauty of the South Downs surrounding Eastbourne and other areas of Sussex. Some walks are free and some have a cost, but most walks have a maximum number of walkers, so be sure to book a place to avoid disappointment! 

With over 50 walks to experience the festival offers a range of walks including historical, literary, healthy and Nordic walks. There's short walks, long walks, easy, moderate or brisk walks, so take a look at some of our favourite picks and get yourself booked onto a walk!

Two Breweries Tour - Saturday 26th September

This is a 15 mile all day walk, starting from Bedes School on Dukes Drive, Eastbourne and ending at the Plough and Harrow in Litlington. Enjoy this scenic downland walk led by an experienced guide to East Dean where you'll stop and visit the first of two breweries, Beachy Head Brewery. Discover the brewing methods adopted by Head Brewer, Roger Green and enjoy the tutored tasting whilst learning the history of the brewery. Continue the walk over to Litlington where you'll stop for lunch at the Plough and Harrow before commencing on the second tour and tasting at the Long Man Brewery! A great value walk at just £15 per person; there are 30 spaces so book your place if you have a passion for real ale and brisk country walks!

Arlington Abbots Wood Nordic Walking Taster - Tuesday 29th September

A short but brisk walk, this session will teach keen learners a fitness walking discipline which can burn over 35% more calories than easy walking and also aids muscle tone. Oakleafe Sussex Nordic Walking offers a 5-mile circular Nordic Taster from the Forestry Commission car park for Abbots Wood by Wilbees Road/Caneheath through Arlington. The taster session, led by International Nordic Walking Association accredited Nordic Walk instructor, Nigel Bentley, is a circular route which explores the forest rides, lake and higher ground to the north, ascending 225 feet along the way. Nordic Walk poles are available for loan and completion of a fitness assessment form is required prior to participation. This is a 5 mile walk, with a maximum of 15 participants, free of charge but donations are welcome.

A Photographic Walk along the Cuckoo Trail - Friday 2nd October

If capturing some natural beauty on your camera is what makes you happy, book a place on this gentle walk along the Cuckoo Trail, starting in Hailsham. You don't need to be an expert, just someone with a desire to walk and photograph. A professional photographer will be on hand to accompany the group and you'll even have the chance to download your snaps at the end of the walk, onto PC's provided, and have a short lesson on editing your images using photo editing software. This walk is free of charge, but hurry to book your place as there's a maximum of 16 walkers.

For all the details of the Coast and Country Walking Festival go to sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk or visit the Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre to pick up your complete 36 page guide to the walking festival with a full list of all walks across the nine days. You can also book a place on a walk by calling 01892 602757. Dogs on leads are allowed on most walks, children are welcome too provided under 16's are accompanied by an adult!

Time 2 Change with Visit Eastbourne

The age old tradition of making New Year's resolutions originated in Ancient Rome. Janus, the two-faced god who looks backwards into the old year and forwards into the new, made promises at the beginning of each year as how to live in the twelve months ahead. 

At Visit Eastbourne we're taking on the philosophy of Janus and celebrating everything that Eastbourne has to offer, old and new, to inspire visits to Eastbourne and help you to change your lifestyle this year.  

Over the next four weeks we'll be bringing visitors and residents of Eastbourne ideas, offers, competitions and motivational blog posts to help you all make the most of the facilities, services and most importantly, the beautiful natural surroundings which Eastbourne boasts, in order to help with making those all important positive changes in 2015.

The Orchid Rooms; for relaxation

We believe in making well-rounded changes to your lifestyle, as there are many areas of life which could often benefit from a spruce-up. 

The Green Almond, Vegetarian Buffet

Health, fitness and well-being are vital to enjoying a happy life, so we'll be focusing the first two weeks of our 'Time 2 Change' project on highlighting the best places in Eastbourne to help with the January detox, to relax and rejuvenate and to get back on the right fitness track. As well as the best eateries in town to get delicious healthy food and drink from, and ideas for sporting challenges to help set that achievable goal.

For those of you who are looking for changes in other areas of your life, we'll be spending the second fortnight of the project bringing forth ideas of places to discover, visit and explore in and around Eastbourne. There are some extremely pretty and peaceful areas in Eastbourne and we want to guide you there to discover the beauty for yourself. 

Hampden Park, Eastbourne

It's not only exploration and adventure which can enhance your life, starting something new can be a very fulfilling way to make a change this year. If you're looking for a new hobby, to learn a new skill, ways to be more creative or maybe just to meet new people, we'll be giving ideas on how and where to do this in Eastbourne in January, February and in the rest of the coming year.

So, if you're looking for ways to change or improve your lifestyle this year, look no further than Eastbourne. 'The Sunshine Coast' provides the weather and beautiful setting, and we'll provide the motivational ideas to help make 2015 your most well-rounded and positive year yet. 

Happy New Year from the Visit Eastbourne Team!