Redoubt fights back against arctic chill with heart-warming offers

Despite having the coldest Easter on record, The Redoubt Fortress successfully opened for the season and warmed up customers in the new café; The Outpost after visitors browsed the refurbished interesting museum.

The Redoubt Fortress tripled the amount of visitors this Easter weekend compared to last year. Even though this time last year saw record temperatures compared to this year’s sunny but chilly weekend.

The Fortress offered free entrance to the museum over Easter and they are delighted to announce further offers! Visitors can receive 2 for 1 entry into the museum or half price family tickets for the rest of April! This also includes a FREE RETURN VISIT at a later date.

In addition the new vintage café; The Outpost is offering BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on hot drinks to warm up visitors. The Outpost is the perfect seafront café and can be visited by the public even if they are not attending the museum.

  

There is still a week left of the Easter school holidays and with these offers, the Redoubt makes an inexpensive, fun day out where kids can try on the uniforms!

The Fortress has a jam packed year of events ahead starting with the Eastbourne Bonfire Society Rock event this Saturday 6 April.

Membership to become a Friend of the Redoubt is also available, which gives discounts, special offers and newsletters, find out how to join on your next visit.

To find out more go to www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk or to print a voucher go to www.visiteastbourne.com

Reasons to come to Eastbourne over Easter!

It’s all going on this Easter and Eastbourne has a wide variety of attractions and events taking place over the Easter weekend and half term.

Easter weekend starts on Friday 29 March and Eastbourne has a jam packed list of things to do for the whole weekend starting with the grand opening of The Redoubt Fortress. The fortress is offering free entrance over the whole weekend as it opens for the season after improvements over the winter. 

Good Friday also sees the Fat Controller at Drusillas Park! As families get on board Thomas to view the park, they can meet the Fat controller at the same time! Drusillas is located just outside of Eastbourne, it is widely regarded as the best small zoo in Europe and there are an array of rides and things to do! Drusillas also welcomes Mike the Knight on bank holiday Monday 1 April.

Towner; the award winning contemporary art museum also gives visitors a reason to visit our sunny town. On Saturday 30 March Towner has events for both children and adults. There is the ‘Bunnies and Bears early years play session’ and the ‘Collection store tours.’ Both require booking.

The Eastbourne steam miniature railway is a great place to go on Easter Sunday! They are holding an Easter Eggspress event where customers get a free Easter egg on entrance to eat between rides on the fantastic miniature railways.

To follow a day at the miniature railway, visitors can go to the famous Easter Concert at the Eastbourne Bandstand. The traditional concert comes with the towns very own “Eastbourne Silver Band” and is a delight to watch. The concert starts at 3pm on Sunday 31 March and doors open at 2.30pm. Tickets are FREE but booking is essential.

One thing that can’t be forgotten over the Easter holidays is that when spring has sprung, it is lambing season at the Seven Sisters sheep farm. The sheep farm that allows visitors to see 50 different breeds of sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, chickens and rabbits, is located at the South Downs national park- Just a mile away from Beachy Head. It is an annual excitement to greet the lambs on arrival and a great day out with the family.

There is also fun at the Observatory science centre! From Good Friday to Easter Monday, visitors can go to the centre for a hands-on science trail whilst discovering the domes and telescopes of the world famous astronomical observatory. There is also an alternative Easter egg hunt over the Easter weekend and exhibitions over the holidays.

To find out more about these attractions and to see what else is on over Easter go to www.visiteastbourne.com

Eastbourne joins in with English Tourism Week!

The UK’s sunniest place will be joining in the fun of English Tourism Week from 16 - 24 March, with some great offers and daily prizes to be won. 

Residents and visitors will be able to test their knowledge of tourism in Eastbourne by entering the competition each day on Facebook and Twitter for the chance to win a range of great prizes from concert tickets to fish and chips!

English tourism week was set up by VisitEngland and is a week long celebration of events from 16-24 March. The week will highlight all the fantastic things to do and see in England and Eastbourne.

Eastbourne and Tourism go hand in hand as 4.9 million visitors come to Eastbourne each year and spend an average of £261 million annually. Further more, £102 million is spent just by day visitors alone! Eastbourne thrives on tourism as it brings over 7000 jobs to Eastbourne and a whopping £346 million to the local economy.

Eastbourne was the first town to hire out quadricycles. To celebrate this and English tourism week, Ride and Joy are offering half price hiring on both weekends of English tourism week - 16/17 and 23/24 March. They can be found next to the open air tennis courts on Eastbourne seafront and are a fantastic way to see the delights of Eastbourne.

Also celebrating the week is The Grand Hotel. The hotel, named ‘Downton-by-Sea’, is a white palatial landmark on Eastbourne seafront and are offering a complimentary upgrade for anyone who books a bedroom and a complimentary glass of bucks fizz for anyone who books full afternoon tea from 16-24 March.

Visiteastbourne.com will also be getting involved in English tourism week, showing offers on their website and holding a week long quiz on social media sites, giving daily prizes! Prizes could include anything from fish and chips to Bandstand tickets.

For more information visit www.visiteastbourne.com, Facebook.com/visiteastbourne or Twitter.com/visiteastbourne.

What to do this Mothering Sunday?

It seems like Christmas was just the other day and yet Mother’s day is here already!

Every year thousands flood into their local supermarket to grab flowers and chocolates for their mum. But here in Eastbourne we have some amazing places to visit to make it an extra special day! There are plenty of things to do this Mothers day and if this week is anything to go by, then the weather should make a great day too!

From café’s to restaurants, attractions to walks; and salon’s to spa’s; Eastbourne has an array of different ways to treat your mum!

Anyone for Afternoon Tea?

There are many lovely tea rooms to take your mum for afternoon tea.

Let’s start with the famous Grand Hotel. The Grand hotel is the only seaside 5 star hotel in the UK and they serve an incredible afternoon tea. If you fancy spoiling mum to a relaxing, luxury afternoon then this is the place to go! Surrounded by gorgeous settings and a view of the sea, guests can enjoy a high tea, Champagne high tea or a children’s high tea.

Other Eastbourne hotels also offer great Afternoon tea!

For a more casual affair, why not try Dickens Tea Cottage, on South Street. It is a lovely quaint tea room offering a selection of cream teas, sandwiches and more. The old fashioned tea room is a great destination for Mothers day. There is also Pistachios in Princes Park and The Beach Deck on the promenade offering tea and cake as well as evening meals.

So that’s afternoon tea covered, what about a spot of dinner.

Go somewhere different like The Belgium Café- famed for their freshly prepared seafood specialities, including 50 different ways to enjoy mussels. The Belgium Café is situated on Eastbourne serene seafront where diners can dine al fresco during the day or experience the relaxed atmosphere inside. As well as a great seafood menu there is also a great selection of meat and poultry dishes, salads and vegetarian options.

What about some Italian at either Mo Mambo or Mo Mambo Mania? Both located in the town centre, customers can expect to receive an authentic Italian extensive menu. In addition there is a special lunch menu so you can choose when to take your mum! Mo Mambo also offers specialty dishes such as Veal, Ostrich, Kangaroo and Springbok for a more unusual but exciting Mothering Sunday!

Instead (or as well) of eating out, you could buy mum a voucher for a luxury pampering session. Salons are in abundance in Eastbourne, all offering slightly different services- a great gift for mother’s day! Try Jasmines or The Retreat for a pamper voucher!

Or bring some food to Mum! Grab some cakes from The Truly Scrumptious Cake Company located on Cornfield road next to Pizza Express.

We hope these ideas will help you treat your mum on Mothers day! Let’s hope for good weather and remember to book as soon as you can because places get very busy!

Find out more at www.visiteastbourne.com

Eastbourne Extreme is going MAD!!

This year, Eastbourne Extreme 2013 will be going totally M.A.D! This is because the world famous M.A.D Mountain bike & Stunt Display Team are coming to rock one of the biggest and most awesome extreme sports events on the South Coast.

Eastbourne Extreme: 13-14 July

The M.A.D Team have long established themselves at the top of the Mountain bike Stunt Demo tree, after over a decade of performing shows through-out various industries, featuring at professional world-class events. The brainchild of infamous Giles Wolfe, M.A.D has dedicated itself to promoting a healthy and positive outlook on Mountain-biking and Cycling in general. Our target focal point is Mountain bike Trials, taking elements from Street/natural and Competition riding, M.A.D merges specific key elements of its own into the pot to produce inspiring, educational and breathe-taking shows.

M.A.D will be coming to Extreme 2013

M.A.D will be attending both days of Extreme (13-14 July 2013) to wow the crowds with their spectacular show taking all elements of biking.

Also at Extreme will be the exciting and sure to be popular 'Sound and Motion Magazine' stage. Once again the organisers of this great event are inviting local bands the chance to perform a 30 minute set on this terrific stage and getting noticed by tonnes of locals.

Eastbourne Extreme is one of the biggest free extreme sports festivals in the UK and it will kick off the summer holidays with an adventure filled weekend. There is a great line up of air, land and water based outdoor pursuits and it's all free to take part or just watch on Eastbourne Seafront.

Sound and Motion stage at Eastbourne Extreme

In total sixteen acts will be needed so organisers are inviting bands to submit one of their finest tracks to 'Sound and Motion's' soundcloud account for a chance to rock the crowds at an event that attracts thousands of visitors each year.

How to make the most out of the rest of Half Term in Eastbourne!

The first few days of the half term break has brought some lovely sunshine to Eastbourne. It has been the perfect opportunity to take the kids out; down the seafront or out to an attraction.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday saw Eastbourne’s seafront jam packed with visitors and residents enjoying the fresh air! Many were on bikes or strolling along, others were sitting outside café’s and taking in the stunning views.

Although here in Eastbourne we have been very lucky with the weather, if we’re not so lucky then the children can get bored very quickly in half term. So we have to think of things to do and how to make the most out of the week off!

There are a few family things to do to fill this end of the week:

Thursday 21 February:

What about getting A Hearty Work out!!

Don’t worry I don’t mean a day at the gym, but a day at the Observatory Science Centre. They are offering half day workshops for families to learn all about the heart and how it keeps you alive! Hearts will be pumping and visitors can check their pulse as well as making your own stethoscope. To finish, visitors will make their own heart warming chocolates!!

Times of workshops are: 10.30am- 1pm; 2pm-4.30pm.
Cost: £9.95 per child for the workshop. Make sure you book.

Friday 22 February:

What about visiting Towner for an excellent workshop!

Towner is inviting guests to make a winter woodland scene with snow birds and forest creatures. It’s a great drop in event for the whole family and it’s free!

The kids can get creative and leave the mess behind. No cleaning up for mums.

No need to book and a £2 donation per child is suggested.

The event is 11.30am – 3pm!

There are some great offers on attractions this half term, so the kids will never get bored and it won’t break the bank!

• Get 2 for 1 at Newhaven Fort!
• Get 2 for 1 on Bowling and Laser Quest at David Lloyds!
• Get 2 for 1 at Ashdown Forest Llama Park!
• Get 2 for 1 at Knockhatch Adventure Park!
• Get free entrance for a child with every paying adult at Herstmonceux castle!
• Get 3 for 2 when you hire bikes from Seven Sisters Cycles!
• Save up to £6 on Yesterdays world in Battle!

Failing that; there is an array of indoor play areas; FortFun Rocky’s, Treasure Island, Leo’s and Play Station.

There are plenty of parks and outdoor areas and some great places to eat.

Eastbourne is a lovely place to be in the holidays so make sure you look to see what’s on and make the most out the half term!

For more information go to www.visiteastbourne.com or head down to our local Tourist Information centre (TIC) 

Eastbourne Tourist Information Adds National Theatre Tokens to One-Stop-Shop

Residents and visitors to Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre (TIC) can now stock up on national theatre tokens during their town centre shop, as the TIC adds the nationwide gift voucher scheme to their wide range of merchandise.

National theatre gift tokens are available from £5 and up and can be used at a range of theatres nationwide, including the Eastbourne Theatres group.  With Eastbourne theatre tickets, Bandstand concert tickets and a range of bus, coach and rail travel cards also available to buy, visitors and residents can easily plan their travel and entertainment in one easy shop.

Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre attracts over a quarter of a million visitors every year and stocks a range of gifts and souvenirs, along with maps and visitor guides.

As well as booking National Express and Euroline coach tickets, the TIC is also the only agency in Eastbourne selling the popular Daysave and Groupsave rail tickets, providing all day travel across the Southern Rail network from just £7 per person (for a group of four), popular for cheap day trips to London. 

Bus travellers can also pick up Brighton & Hove bus tickets for all day travel to and from Brighton for just £4, with stops at many South Downs highlights along the route, popular with walkers visiting the Seven Sisters Country Park.

A range of maps and guides also highlight the best routes for walking in the South Downs National Park, and visitors can pick up an Eastbourne Heritage Walk guide for just £3.

Eastbourne Tourist Information Centre is based at Cornfield Road, Eastbourne BN21 4QA and is currently open 9.15am to 4.30pm (Mon – Fri) and 9.15pm to 1pm (Sat).  Opening times will increase in March for mid season and again in May for high season.