Holiday rentals in Eastbourne

Twenty miles east of Brighton, Eastbourne is a quieter resort town than its lively neighbour. That’s not to say it’s without its entertainments — the 1930s bandstand on its family-friendly shingle beach is ever-busy, as are the Victorian pier and theatres. But there’s a delightfully calm atmosphere about the town, where the presence of the 100-year-old Towner Art Gallery has fostered an artistic community and generated its own Little Chelsea of galleries and boutiques. Thanks to the Old Town, not to mention the many pretty parks and seafront gardens, Eastbourne maintains a village feel in some parts, befitting its location at the fringes of the South Downs. Meander through the wide Victorian streets of Meads, with their pretty parades of independent shops, and you’ll soon find yourself at the foot of the spectacular 167-metre chalk cliff of Beachy Head, surrounded by the pretty huts and chalets of the off-the-beaten-track beach at Holywell.

The coast can get pretty brisk and breezy in winter. Walking it is certainly a more comfortable prospect between spring and autumn; spring is particularly pretty in Eastbourne, when the Victorian gardens are in full bloom, and a great time to stay in one of the area’s holiday cottages. The summer months are best for enjoying the beaches, and are also when Eastbourne puts on its top shows, from the nightly concerts at the bandstand to weekly fireworks displays and an international air show, Airbourne, in August. There’s international women’s tennis at its Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club in June, used by many players as a warm-up for Wimbledon, and in May, there’s the Magnificent Motors classic car show as well as Beer and Cider by the Sea, the first of two popular local beer festivals (the other’s in October).

Old Town

Eastbourne’s most charming district is a step back in time, from the ancient parish church founded by the Normans to a 12th-century medieval-timbered inn that serves the local real ale. There’s also the pretty Gildredge Park, a host of independent shops and businesses, and even a Victorian swimming pool.

Eastbourne Redoubt

The circular sunken fortress just behind the beach was built in the 19th century as a coastal defence against the Napoleonic army that never arrived on England’s shores. You can walk its gun platform and parade ground for free, and explore its interior between April and November, while a café and a bijou cinema have also been built inside.

Pevensey Bay

There are plenty of pretty, historic villages to see around Eastbourne, including East Dean, Alfriston, Willingdon, and Jevington, but Pevensey, along the coast, is the only one with its own ruined castle. It was here that the Norman invasion began in 1066, and the surrounding flatlands have become a haven for birds and wildlife.