Oh We Do Like To Be b'Cider Seaside!

If you like the seaside, and you like beer and cider, then Eastbourne really is the only place to be this Bank Holiday weekend. What's more, there's a fantastic line-up of live music across the three day Beer and Cider by the Sea festival taking place on Eastbourne's Western Lawns between 22 and 24 May!

There is an abundance of local real ales and ciders available at the seaside festival; with over 100 to chose from, the festival is bigger than any year before now. Local Long Man Brewery are sponsoring the event and they will be serving up some delicious ales and ciders including, American Pale Ale, Best Bitter, Long Blonde, and Copper Hop!

Beers and Ciders are coming from local brewers, but also from far and wide so you can expect to experience a magnitude of flavours from across the UK. From Summer Lighting, Blowing Stone and Hop Rocket to Iron Horse, Toad in the Ale and Wight Knight, you'll not only be tasting delicious drinks, you'll also be amused by their great names!

If your a lover of outdoor seaside festivals, but not so much of beer or cider, then worry not. There are four cocktails to choose from, one mocktail and a selection of fine wines! Get fruity and flirty sipping on a Caribbean Fondle, Luscious Blush, Kitty or Mudslide cocktail - the perfect accompaniment for a Summer Bank Holiday weekend. For the non-alcoholic cocktail fan, there will be a 'Cardinal's Cocktail' with 'sin' alcohol (no alcohol).

A seaside cider festival would be incomplete without a line-up of super bands - and Beer and Cider by the Sea has just that! On Friday 22, get your wiggle on dancing to Wakin' Snakes, a lively American and Cajun band and then wind down a little to the sound of acoustic guitar and bass duo, Strum 'n' Bass.

The live music continues into Saturday with Decadence Sleaze Excess performing  covers form the 60's to the present day during the festival's daytime session, and Large and Sound of the Crowd blasting out the finest tunes from the 1980's and dance hits from the 90's from evening to night!

Sunday is another fun-day with the festival extending to include a Sunday evening session this year. From 11am until 9pm, ticket holders can enjoy the atmosphere of the festival all day long and still have Bank Holiday Monday to recover before the working week starts again. Dirty Martini Swing Band, Unihorn and Granny Magnet will provide the Sunday soundtrack.

Eastbourne is the sunniest place in the UK, however even the sunniest place in this country isn't pardoned from a bit of wet weather. In the event of rain, Beer and Cider festival-goers need not fear though, as this year the festival is fully undercover, with the stage and bars all under canvas in large marquees. There is still an outdoor area for visitors to sit whilst listening to the bands play and enjoying some fresh sea air. Come rain or shine, the three day event will commence with nothing getting wet - apart from appetites!

Saturday and Sunday day time sessions are family friendly; children are welcome and will be entertained by bouncy castles and land zorbing. However, the evening sessions are for over 18's only.

All drinks must be purchased using tokens which can be bought at the festival in multiples of £10, with each token being to the value of 10 pence. All real ales and ciders will cost between £3.40 and £3.80 (34-38 tokens).

Beer and Cider by the Sea tickets can be purchased here!

What to do if it’s HOT OR NOT this weekend!

 We haven’t had the best spring weather-wise so far, but as I write this post, I can see the sun poking through the clouds and not a drop of rain (or snow) in sight.

Weather reports are showing that the weekend and Sunday in particular will bring us some high temperatures and fantastic sunshine!

So we have put together a few things to do to make the most of the sunshine!

If it’s hot…

Ok this is optimistic but we are the sunshine coast after all…….

The beach!

Eastbourne has over 3 miles of wide, clean promenade and unspoilt beaches. The water may be slightly cold this time of year but a paddle wouldn’t hurt. To accompany a relaxing day on the beach, there are various cafes including the new American Airstream style café at The Wish Tower and at the opposite end of the seafront The new Outpost café at The Redoubt Fortress.

For a kid’s day out, Eastbourne has got it covered!

Eastbourne Miniature steam Railway, located on Lottbridge road, is the perfect place to visit on a sunny day. It is a railway adventure in Eastbourne with steam and diesel train journeys, line side nature walks, an adventure playground, railway style café, gift shop and more!

It wouldn’t be spring without a trip to Seven Sisters Sheep Farm! The farm is currently in lambing season and allows visitors to see over 50 varieties of sheep and lambs along side pigs, goats and chickens!

Fort Fun has both indoor and outdoor play areas so whatever the weather there is something to do there.

Similarly, Treasure Island offers an indoor soft play as well as an outdoor adventure park and golf.

Both have picnic areas and restaurants with Treasure Island offering delicious food and drink at The Beach Deck!

Or how about a day out at Knockhatch Adventure Park or Drusillas Park? Enjoy a fun, action packed visit at Knockhatch with new wave runner water ride, runaway train simulator, indoor Froggies soft play, children’s farm, jumping pillows and rowing boats! Or spend the day at Drusillas and enjoy the widely regarded best small zoo in Europe along with play areas, a maze, Thomas the Tank Engine and Lemurland.

A perfect way to see the delights of Eastbourne seafront is by hopping on the Dotto train! The Dotto train offers regular services operating from Easter – 2 November from Holywell to Harbour reach. Stops include the Wish Tower slopes, Pier, Treasure Island, Fort Fun and Soveriegn centre.

For those who are want a peaceful walk this weekend with a loved one or group of friends, what about a trip over the South Downs. Eastbourne lies on the eastern side of the start/end of the South Downs way providing a mostly bridle path for walkers, horse riders and cyclists!

Or if you simply want to sit in the sun over lunch and a glass of pimms, head down to the sophisticated Sovereign harbour to find a selection of restaurants and shops on the waterside. Restaurants include: Gringos, Picassos, Simply Italian and Thai Marina.

If it’s not…

Even though Eastbourne is the sunniest place in the UK and we are sure to see the sun this weekend, it is a good idea to have a few indoor ideas just in case.

For an indoor family day how about the Soveriegn Centre where you can enjoy a large family pool, baby pool, training pool and slides and splash area.

Or try out one of the many indoor soft play centres including Leo’s play den, The PlayStation, Rockys and Treasure Island.

Others can enjoy the exhibitions on at Towner with Kelly Richardson’s; Legion exhibition finishing this weekend and The East Sussex Open running throughout April.

The Eastbourne festival also runs throughout April and this weekend there are events from SKA Toons, Red Door Secret Supper Club, The Grand Éclair, The Revenge Fantasy Club and Charleys Aunt.

Whatever the weather visitors can enjoy the newly opened refurbished Redoubt Fortress. Visitors can receive a 2 for 1 on museum entrance in the 200 year old fortress and get 2 for 1 on hot drinks in the new vintage themed café The Outpost.

For more information go to www.visiteastbourne.com