Everything you need to know about Eastbourne!

By Sarah Cronk

At Chalk, we want to make it easy for those looking to relocate to Eastbourne. So, we took a look at all the common questions visitors search for and put together our own mini fact sheet for Eastbourne.

How many people work in digital in Eastbourne?

According to our latest data, ~2600 people work in the digital sector in Eastbourne. It’s a thriving industry in the town and has been identified as a growth area. Chalk Eastbourne was founded to bring the digital community together, change outdated perceptions of Eastbourne, support local talent, and aid recruitment.

How long is Eastbourne seafront?

Eastbourne seafront is roughly 3.5 miles long (~6km). There’s a flat promenade that runs the whole length of the seafront from Holywell and Helen Gardens at the foot of the South Downs to the Sovereign Harbour at the east of the town. During summer months and school holidays, the Dotto Train also runs along this route.

How far is Eastbourne train station to the beach?

Eastbourne train station is half a mile from the beach, a 12-minute walk. The quickest route is towards the Beacon shopping centre, down Cornfield Road and Devonshire Place, which will take you to the Bandstand. Alternatively, simply follow the entire length of Terminus Road through the town centre, which will take you nearer the Carpet Gardens and the Pier. At the beach end, you’ll find Victoria Place with plenty of restaurants and cafés, with open-air dining in the summer holidays.

How big is Eastbourne?

As of June 2019, the population of Eastbourne is 103,745, with an average age of 45. It covers roughly 17 square miles, from the South Downs in the west to the Sovereign Harbour in the east, and Willingdon and Polegate in the north.

Who owns Eastbourne pier and when was the pier built?

Construction started on Eastbourne Pier in 1866 and work was completed in 1872. After the fire in 2014 which destroyed the large arcade and saloons in the mid-section of the pier, local hotelier Mr Sheikh Abid Gulzar bought the pier in November 2015 and he has since renovated and built replacement structures. More on the pier’s history here.

Who won Eastbourne election?

In the 2019 general election, Conservative candidate Caroline Ansell replaced Lib Dem Stephen Lloyd as MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon.

Who runs Eastbourne council?

Eastbourne Borough Council has 27 councillors representing the 9 wards in the borough. The Liberal Democrats have overall control of the council and Councillor David Tutt is the Leader.

Details of Eastbourne Borough Council elections can be found here.

Which county is Eastbourne in?

Eastbourne is in the county of East Sussex, on the south coast of the UK.

Which is better, Eastbourne or Hastings?

It depends who you ask and what you like! Obviously, being based in Eastbourne, our view will be somewhat biased, but we are reluctant to criticise our neighbours too.

Both towns have long seafronts, piers, and make excellent destinations for holidays. Eastbourne and Hastings grew in popularity as seaside towns during the Victorian era, although Hastings is also widely known for its famous battle in 1066 between William, the Duke of Normandy, and Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson.

Eastbourne has strict covenants on usages of its seafront properties, which means the seafront is relatively uncommercialised and has a facade of classic hotels and guesthouses. The promenade is a huge draw and is well kept and lively; it’s popular with walkers, runners, cyclists (in certain zones) and skaters, and alongside, people enjoy watersports in the sea.

Eastbourne has had plenty of investment in recent years leading to the redevelopment of the shopping centre to create The Beacon and the Devonshire Quarter. Independent shops, cafes and restaurants have grown considerably in the Little Chelsea area of the town centre. The Waterfront at the Sovereign Harbour provides the town with a Mediterranean feeling with its outdoor restaurants and marina.

Eastbourne is snuggled at the foot of the South Downs, meaning easy access to nature, walks, (and country pubs). The South Downs National Park is the nearest to London. The Cuckoo Trail, a popular walking and cycling path, also connects the town to Polegate, Hailsham and Heathfield to the north. To the west, train journeys connect you to the county town of Lewes (20 mins) and the city of Brighton and Hove (30-45 mins).

Hastings has a more commercialised seafront, with restaurants, shops and arcade games right by the sea and a funicular railway serves the cliff top. The Old Town draws tourists to the aquarium, Fishermen’s Museum, wooden fishing huts and funfair. The town, full of independent shops, has a slightly bohemian, artsy feel and is popular with creatives.

But why not visit both and see for yourself?

Are Eastbourne beaches sandy? What’s Eastbourne beach like?

Eastbourne has predominantly a pebble, shingle beach. At mid-low tide, you may find some sand, particularly at the western Holywell end where there are also rock pooling opportunities.

Positive: you don’t get sand in your shoes and have to dunk the kids in the water to clean them off before carrying them to the top of the beach to put shoes on. But our advice for happy use of the beach: invest in some jelly shoes or wet suit shoes to avoid the awkward ‘ouch’ walk to and from the sea!

Why is Eastbourne called ‘The Sunshine Coast’ and why is it so sunny?

Between 1991 and 2020, Eastbourne enjoyed 1891.75 hours of sunshine on average annually. This is higher than the South East and Central South average for the same period (1670.28 hours), the average for southern England (1593.69 hours) and the UK as a whole (1402.72 hours). Eastbourne even holds the record for the most hours of sunshine in a month - 383.9 hours in July 1911!

The south coast location coupled with the shelter provided by Beachy Head and the South Downs give Eastbourne a mild climate with high levels of sunshine.

Why visit Eastbourne?

There are so many excellent reasons to visit Eastbourne - the question should be ‘why not’!

Eastbourne is in an ideal location for both sea and nature, with a 3.5 mile seafront and the South Downs on the doorstep.

There are numerous large-scale events throughout the year, including the largest free airshow in Europe, Airbourne, the Eastbourne Tennis Tournament, Beach Life Festival, Magnificent Motors, the 999 Emergency Services Display, Wyntercon, Beer and Cider Festivals, and plenty more.

The town is a cultural centre, with the Towner Eastbourne and other art spaces, as well as numerous theatres. It’s a creative hotspot with full-fibre connectivity.

There is a fantastic mix of modern high street shops and independent retailers, as well as plenty of restaurants and cafes, including those at Europe’s largest composite marina. Boutique hotels like Port Hotel and the UK’s only 5* seaside hotel, The Grand, add to the wonderful foodie options here.

There’s plenty for children and all the fun of the seaside… read more examples of why Eastbourne is great to live and work in here.

When is Eastbourne air show, Airbourne?

Eastbourne’s air show, Airbourne, is the largest free air show in Europe and usually takes place over four days in the third week of August. The 2022 show runs from 18-21 August. Displays include the RAF Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Visit the airshow’s website for more details.

When is Eastbourne tennis?

Eastbourne International Tennis Tournament takes place annually at Devonshire Park in June, usually running just ahead of Wimbledon. Formerly a women’s competition, the event now welcomes both men and women as a combined tournament.

Previous winners at the tournament include Chris Evert, Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Kim Clijsters, Caroline Wozniacki, Karolina Plíšková, Andy Roddick, Feliciano López and Novak Djokovic.

When is Eastbourne bonfire?

Eastbourne’s bonfire night is due to take place on 1st October 2022. View Eastbourne Bonfire Society’s website for their calendar dates which run from September to November.

What’s it like to live in Eastbourne?

It’s great to live in Eastbourne. There is plenty to see and do, especially in the summer, and the town is well connected for travel further afield. Eastbourne has a busy hospitality and tourism sector, but also a thriving digital community (that’s why we’re here!). We asked a cross-section of our team their views on what it’s like living in Eastbourne - read more here.

Eastbourne to Victoria, Eastbourne to Brighton, Eastbourne to Hastings - how to get around?

Eastbourne is connected to London Victoria by direct train, which takes about an hour and a half to reach the capital. Brighton and Hastings are also accessible via train, without changing, and the journey takes 30-45 minutes. Further afield, Ashford International and Gatwick Airport can be reached by train in an hour.

National Express coaches also serve Eastbourne, and there are regular buses to Brighton (12) across the South Downs to the west, buses to Bexhill and Hastings (99) to the east, and Heathfield (51) to the north.

By car, the A27 connects Eastbourne to the south coast. By bike or foot, The Cuckoo Train and the South Down’s Way connect Eastbourne to the north and west. A new cycle path also runs alongside the A27 between Eastbourne and Lewes.

Have we answered your questions? Do you have others? Let us know!

For more resources on what’s on in Eastbourne and to help you plan your visit, we also recommend checking out Visit Eastbourne.