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Autumn Mini Break in Eastbourne

Autumn Mini Break in Eastbourne

It’s not just beaches and ice-cream at Eastbourne! Once the summer sun has set for the last time and the crisp bright mornings of autumn arrive, this special British destination unveils treasures which are waiting for you to discover.

With a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, read on for a suggested itinerary to make the most of your stay.

Day One: Arrive in Eastbourne – check in, drop off bags and get out there!

Mid-Morning

First things first, blow away the cobwebs with a bracing seafront walk! Choose from the labyrinth of paths around Sovereign Harbour and pop into one of the many restaurants and eateries overlooking the water. Alternatively, stroll along the miles of seafront promenade, although the direction you decide to walk will affect a very important decision – lunch!

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Lunch

Head east towards the pier and stop off at the brand-new Glass House restaurant. Further along the route you’ll find the Beach Deck restaurant with brilliant sea views, or head onwards towards Fisherman’s Green and the Crab Shack for one of their famous crab sandwiches to enjoy alfresco.

If you choose to walk west along the promenade past the Bandstand and towards the Wish Tower, Bistrot Pierre is a fabulous lunch option, or keep walking to the furthest end of the promenade for Holywell café with lighter options available.

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Afternoon

Indulge in a little retail therapy! Full of independent stores and restaurants under a Victorian glass roof, the Enterprise Centre is an exciting shopping destination conveniently located next to Eastbourne train station. Discover the quaint Victorian shopping streets of Little Chelsea; home to Vinyl Frontier, an effortlessly cool record store with a café/bar which hosts live music events, and the iconic Camilla’s Bookshop – a treasure trove stacked from floor to ceiling with everything from rare tomes to budget friendly paperbacks. High street shopping more your thing? Head to The Beacon shopping centre on Terminus Road.

Steeped in history, Eastbourne Old Town is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the town centre and home to one of Britain’s oldest pubs. The Lamb Inn cellars date back to the 12^th century and The Lamb is no stranger to welcoming visitors, previously hosting Charles Dickens whilst holidaying in the area! Just around the corner you’ll find the beautiful architecture and stained-glass windows of 13^th century St Mary the Virgin Church. Alternatively head to Pevensey Castle, one of the last of the Roman 'Saxon Shore' forts or explore 800 years of history at Michelham Priory House and Gardens. Pevensey Castle is accessible by train or bus from Eastbourne, however you’ll need access to a car or bike to visit Michelham Priory.

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Dinner

Victoria Place at the seafront end of Terminus Road is home to a wide variety of restaurants serving up everything from Greek and Belgian to Indian and everything in between. For something a little different, Boom Battle Bar in The Beacon shopping centre offers street food options alongside activities including beer pong, virtual reality darts and axe throwing. End your evening with a cocktail at 1920s themed The Bear Club.

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Day Two: Start the day the right way with a fulfilling breakfast!

If breakfast isn’t included with your accommodation, try Nelson Coffee the Roastery for a wide selection of breakfast and brunch options, plant-based restaurant The Good Grub for an array of vegan dishes or pop into Poppyseed Bakery to grab some award-winning bakes to eat on the go.

Morning

Embrace the Great Outdoors and head to Beachy Head in the South Downs National Park to discover the most iconic view in Eastbourne, Beachy Head Lighthouse. If you’re feeling up for the challenge walk west to the furthest end of the seafront, taking you to the foot of the rolling South Downs. Its time take on the first hill at the start of the National Park but once you get to the top, we guarantee the view will be worth it! Follow the paths all the way up and you’ll get to the iconic Beachy Head.

If you don’t fancy the climb there are regular buses that head that way, with the hop-on hop-off Eastbourne Open Top Bus operating in the summer months.

Once you’ve taken in the views, it’s time to enjoy a coffee from the kiosk or head into the cosy and dog friendly Beachy Head Pub to refuel.

After a pit stop either head back down into Eastbourne, or if you’re up for more exploring you can carry on the trek along the breathtaking Seven Sisters with Birling Gap and East Dean within an hour and a half’s walk. Alternatively, give your legs a break and jump on a bus along this route!

As you make your way along the Seven Sisters you’ll see Belle Tout Lighthouse, decommissioned in 1902 the building now serves as a quirky B&B. Keep walking to reach the beach at Birling Gap and marvel at the view of the Seven Sisters from sea level. Pop into the National Trust café for a light bite or head into East Dean (thought to be Sherlock Holmes’s retirement home, with a blue plaque to prove it!) for a selection of lunch options including The Tiger Inn – a 15^th century village pub and favourite haunt of smugglers. Jump on a bus along the main road to head back to Eastbourne for the afternoon, or if you’d rather spend the full day in the South Downs National Park there’s plenty more exploring to do!

Keep heading west along the coastal path to Cuckmere Haven where the winding Cuckmere River makes its way to the sea, overlooked by the famous Coastguard Cottages. Walk along the river and away from the sea to get to Friston Forest for more exploring on foot or hire a bike at the forest and explore the Mountain Bike trails. If you’ve walked this far, once you’ve finished exploring we recommend catching a bus back to Eastbourne near the visitor centre as it’s a long walk back!

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Afternoon

If spending the afternoon back in Eastbourne’s town centre, a visit to Towner Eastbourne is a must. Home to the 2023 Turner Prize, this gallery hosts a range of events and exhibitions, including work by Eastbourne’s own Eric Ravilious. It’s probably about time for a cuppa (and a cake!) we’d recommend The DQ Café at the nearby Welcome Building, which is also home to Eastbourne’s Visitor Services team who have a full range of ideas for making the most of your time left in Eastbourne.

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Early Dinner

Enjoy an early dinner at one of many eateries along Carlisle Road and choose from Italian, Thai, classic fish and chips and more or stroll across the road to The Bohemian for a European inspired menu.

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Evening Entertainment

Take in a show! Eastbourne has a range of theatres from intimate arts venue The Grove Theatre, to 1,600 seat Congress Theatre, Victorian playhouse The Royal Hippodrome, the 900 seat Devonshire Park, The Winter Garden and depending on the date of your visit The Bandstand. Check out what’s on at VisitEastbourne.com.

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Nightwalk

Wrap up warm and end your Eastbourne mini-break with a nighttime stroll under the festoon lights on the upper prom, listen to the waves and be sure to make a date to come back – because you’ve only seen part of this fabulous slice of England. There’s so much more we didn’t even get to, you’ll just have to come back!