F-16 Selects Eastbourne Airshow For Only Mainland UK Seaside Display

The Belgian Air Component F-16 is set to join a thrilling line up of the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon and Chinook at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow on 15 – 18 August.

The rip-roaring fast jet has signalled a return to the UK’s Best FREE Airshow (as voted by Airscene), with Eastbourne’s seafront display being the only free airshow in the mainland UK set to welcome the team this year.

The heavy metal jet joins an international line up with the Royal Netherlands Air Force AB412 and a new display from a pair of Dassault Flamants from France, who make their UK debut in Eastbourne.  The Red Arrows will also fly on all four days of the show, the only UK airshow to receive an incredible four displays.

The four day airshow last year enjoyed the busiest day ever in its 20 year history, and this year looks even more promising with a strong line up of RAF displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tutor, Tucano, Eurofighter Typhoon, Red Arrows and a brand new routine for 2013, for fans of the Chinook. 

Parachute teams from The Tigers and Royal Navy Raiders will be dropping in on all the action, plus displays from the Lynx and Sea King will entertain at close range.  World record holders, The Blades, will be zooming across the skies, along with more close formation aerobatics from the SWIP Silence Twister team, Rv8tors and the Breitling Wingwalkers, providing daring feats.

For historic and classic jet fans, the iconic Spitfire will be joined by the Jet Provost, Kittyhawk and the unique ‘Miss Demeanour’  Hunter jet.

On the ground, budding aviators can climb aboard a replica Chinook or Hawk in the military exhibition, featuring the best of the RAF, Army and Navy.  Arena events and children’s entertainment beaches keep all of the family entertained, including a special free concert in the arena on Thursday and Friday by the Central Band of the RAF.

For top flight hospitality, the Aviator Club and Cirrus Rooms offer fabulous views and great food in the heart of all the action with a buffet lunch or 3 course meal option.  Or reserve your place with exclusive seating at the Bandstand for uninterrupted views of all the action.

Fans can also get a birds eye view of the flying from iconic beauty spot Beachy Head or take to the skies with a helicopter pleasure flight over the scenic South Downs National Park.

In the evening Bandstand concerts entertain each night, along with an outdoor film screening at the arena and a seafront firework spectacular over the weekend.

The Red Arrows are due to perform on Thursday 4pm, Friday 4pm, Saturday 5pm and Sunday 3pm (times are subject to change).  

The full line up of displays so far includes: Red Arrows, Belgian F-16, Dutch AB412, French, Dassault Flamant, Eurofighter Typhoon, Chinook, Lynx, Sea King, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tucano, Tutor, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers, The Tigers parachute team, Royal Navy Raiders, Parachute Team, Spitfire, Jet Provost, Kittyhawk, SWIP Team, Rv8tors, Hunter.

Airbourne takes place on Eastbourne seafront with arena and ground displays on the Western Lawns over all four days, and entry is free.  For more information visit www.eastbourneairshow.com or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Father’s day discounts in Eastbourne!

This Fathers Day, Eastbourne has many attractions and events for dads to attend with some discounted entry fee.

Dads can visit the Redoubt for FREE, head down to Legends day at the AEGON Tennis or watch a show at the Bandstand for FREE, as well as many other activities.

           

The Redoubt Fortress had a makeover over the winter months and has recently opened a brand new exciting exhibition called; Tinker Tailor Solider Button Maker. On Sunday 16 June, the fortress and museum is celebrating Fathers Day by offering FREE entry to dads visiting with their children. Tickets can also be used for a FREE return entry before 17 November!

Entry price is £4.50 for adults, £2.50 for children, £3.25 for seniors and students and flexible family ticket is £12.

The Redoubt opens 10am – 5pm on Sunday 16 June.

The Bandstand is in full swing this season with shows ranging from traditional afternoon concerts to tribute nights! To celebrate Fathers day, the Bandstand is welcoming fathers for FREE to any concert from Sunday 16 June – Friday 21 June. Dads attending with their children can watch:

• Traditional Afternoon Concert with Mayfield Band 16 June 3pm.
• Sunday Night at the proms with Wealden Brass 16 June 8pm.
• 1812 Firework Concert with Eastbourne Silver Band 19 June 8pm.
• Queen tribute show with Mercury 21 June 8pm.

To purchase tickets go to www.eastbournebandstand.co.uk

As Fathers day approaches, so does the AEGON International Tennis Tournament. 12 of the world’s top 20 look set to the return to Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park from 15 – 22 June, whilst BBC broadcast the tournament.                                                          

The tournament is also celebrating Fathers day with Legends day at the Tennis! Legends day makes a welcome return on Sunday 16 June with Greg Rusedski and Mark Phillippoussis facing off in a Fathers Day tussle, before they team up with former world number 1 Lindsay Davenport and two time Wimbledon doubles champion Rennae Stubbs in mixed doubles. For tickets go to www.aegoninternational.co.uk

  

Award winning contemporary art museum, Towner is currently exhibiting some great pieces and exhibitions. Including Fiona Rae; Maybe you can live on the moon in the next century the People and Portraits collection. This Fathers Day, Dads get a FREE drink in the Towner café located upstairs offering a balcony with beautiful views of the Devonshire Park area of Eastbourne.

Dads can also get in FREE at Drusillas Park on Fathers day! Drusillas are inviting Dads to get in FREE by signing up to discounts@drusillas.co.uk with their name, postal address and email address by 4pm on Monday 10 June.

Why not take your dad to Lloyds Lanes for bowling or laser quest? Dads go free! Book now on 01323 509999.

For an alternative Fathers day treat what about Tea at Batemans?

Afternoon tea at Batemans is not just dainty cakes and pastries, its hot mini Yorkshire pudding with gravy, posh fish finger roll, home made mini pastry served with rustic sandwich and the ever popular Bateman’s classic cream tea, washed down with a good strong cup of tea. All for just £12.50 per person. Call 01435 882302 to find out more.

All offers are for Fathers visiting with their children.

For more information go to www.visiteastbourne.com

New Summer What's On Guide for Eastbourne!

Visit Eastbourne has just launched the all new What's On Guide for Summer 2013, giving visitors and residents the lowdown on what's coming up in Eastbourne!

The What’s On Guide can be found in the Tourist Information Centre, located on Cornfield Road Eastbourne, in a number of hotels and is now downloadable here! 

There are many offers that readers can take advantage of including 2 for 1 at various attractions and money off at restaurants and theatre tickets!

The Guide takes you through the exciting events programme that Eastbourne has to offer this summer; including the AEGON International Tennis Tournament, Eastbourne Extreme and Airbourne! Not to mention, the Sunshine Carnival on 25 May, Beer and Cider by the Sea on 24 -26 May and all the events at the Redoubt Fortress.

If it is entertainment you are after then the What’s On guide shows a fantastic theatre line up including Gotta Sing Gotta Dance and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, along with a list of shows at the Bandstand.

Readers can also find a full events listing until September!

To pick up a guide head to the Tourist Information Centre or download the PDF here!

Magnificent Motors returns with a drive in movie night!

Magnificent Motors is famously one of the biggest FREE motoring spectaculars on the South Coast and it returns on 4 – 5 May for the 10^th time with a dazzling anniversary display of over a century of motoring and a drive in movie night on Saturday 4 May.

Returning to the show’s original seafront venue after two years in the park, Eastbourne’s Western Lawns will welcome back over 600 vintage and classic cars, motorbikes, buses and more at the two day festival.

In addition to a display of 600 classic and vintage vehicles, there will also be a drive in movie night showing classic car movie, ‘The Italian Job’.

Tickets for the drive in movie can be bought at Eastbourne theatres box office call 01323 412000/ 415555 and are £15 per car, passenger numbers not to exceed seatbelts. Walk in tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children bring your own deckchair or blanket some limited seating will be available. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:30pm showing of the film on Saturday 4 May.

The drive in will also be running some great competitions! The first is the Italian Job Mini Show and Shine. Owners can pimp their minis to the style of Italian Job era. 1^st prize is two tickets to the Beer and Cider by The Sea with £10 beer tokens.

The second is a Michael Caine look-a-like competition where the best will win two tickets to Cirrus rooms Hospitality area at Airbourne.

To buy tickets for the drive in night and to register for the competitions please email events@eastbourne.gov.uk or for more information on the event and exhibiting go to www.magnificentmotors.co.uk

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

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