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Historic Eastbourne – Fine English Heritage and Culture

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Last Updated on December 18, 2016

A Cultured Seaside Resort – Eastbourne:

A month or so ago, while I was busy working on another project, Adrian was lucky enough to spend a mid-week break exploring Eastbourne.  It’s one of those places that really deserves a visit, not only because of the beaches, there’s so much more on offer.  Here are just a few of the things you can do in Eastbourne

eastbourne

Throughout the summer, Eastbourne Bandstand, the busiest in the UK, really comes to life, with 1812 firework concerts, tribute shows and kids entertainment.  And, even in winter, there’s a Christmas market there and a special concert on Christmas day.  What a great way to blow away the festive cobwebs!  The Bandstand itself is like no other in the UK – it has a main arena and middle and upper balconies, like an outside opera house and seats 1,400 people!  Built in 1935 it cost £28,000 to build and replaced one built in 1899.  It’s a grade II listed structure, one of a total of nearly 130 in the town and borough of Eastbourne.

eastbourne-bandstand

Of course, apart from the Bandstand, there’s a great selection of theatres in Eastbourne, including the Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park Theatre, Winter Gardens and the Royal Hippodrome, which is the oldest theatre in town and dates back to 1883.  Between them, there’s a combined capacity of nearly 4,500 seats and there’s a range of shows all year round to cater for all tastes, from comedians and family pantomimes to drama, ballet and opera.

eastbourne-redoubt-fortress

Another unique place in Eastbourne is the Redoubt Fortress, a circular coastal fort that was built in 1805 as part of a defence programme during the Napoleonic Wars. You’ll find other Redoubts along the South and East Coast of England, along with smaller Martello towers, to form a defence chain against potential invasion.  The Eastbourne Redoubt will reopen for the 2017 season as a living museum, with a whole range of events and activities throughout the year, suitable for all ages.

towner-gallery

If your interests lie in fine arts, then it is worth heading to the Towner Gallery, an award-winning contemporary art gallery and museum.  The gallery opened in 1920 and was originally housed in an old Georgian manor house.  Relocated into a larger, modern space in 2009, the gallery has over 4,000 objects including an important collection of 20th Century British artists.  Needless to say, many of the works are by Eric Ravilious, who grew up in East Sussex and who studied and taught at Eastbourne School of Art.  The gallery also has a fine collection of  works by modern abstract artists of the 1950s and 1960s.

Other Galleries in Eastbourne include the Emma Mason Gallery, specialising in limited edition prints by British printmakers.  You’ll find plenty of shops and studios in the Little Chelsea district of Eastbourne, including the Little Chelsea Photographic and Art Gallery and the Drawing Room, where you can learn to create your own masterpieces!

Find out more about what Eastbourne has to offer in this short video

And of course, this glorious seaside town is set in quintessentially English countryside.  Travel just outside Eastbourne to find national treasures like Hearstmonceux castle, a 15th-century moated castle which is one of the earliest examples of brick built building in England.  Or visit Charleston, home of the Bloomsbury set, where you can wander through the fabulous gardens and exuberantly decorated interiors.

alfriston-clergy-house

Or, visit Alfriston’s Clergy House, a 14th century Wealden hall-house, acquired by the National Trust in 1896 for the grand sum of £10.  Apart from being a remarkable example of a 14th-century rural building, with a rare sour milk and chalk floor, it’s important as  one of the first acquisitions by the National Trust and one which demonstrates perfectly the approach adopted by the trust for the renovation of historic buildings.  That came from a link with SPAB, the society for the protection of ancient buildings, founded by William Morris.  Instead of ‘modernising’ the SPAB and the National Trust adopted a more conservative attitude to restoration – one which is evidenced in the National Trust collection.

 

If you are planning to visit the UK or just want some ideas for days out, why not pin this post for later

Eastbourne

 

 

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  21. Nicki Ramsay says

    I would like to see the Redoubt Fortress, I did a study of Martello towers for my degree so I’m quite interested in Napoleonic fortifications. Mitchelham Priory looks very interesting too.

    Reply

  22. Sheila Shepheard says

    The Towner Art Gallery for me. I’m always amazed at what treasures provincial galleries have inside them.

    Reply

  75. Victoria B says

    Would love to go to a show on the bandstand in Eastbourne – all the times I’ve been there I’ve never done that.

    Reply

  107. Charlotte Cartlidge says

    Redoubt fortress is really cool. We ended up stumbling on it last New Year’s Eve whilst looking for the fireworks. We ended up watching them from the fortress across the water. I would love to see redoubt fortress in the daytime 🙂

    Reply

    • Charlene Keddy says

      Birling Gap is a beautiful location near Eastbourne. I was there a few years ago and would love to return xx

      Reply

  220. Hilda Wright says

    I’d love the Towner Gallery, I have been watching lots of art documentarys lately and its something I am getting more and more interested in!

    Reply

  222. Krzysia says

    Hearstmonceux Castle looks really beautiful. I’ve driven past there often and always thought that one day I should go and visit!

    Reply

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