Fancy a spontaneous day trip from London? Eastbourne in East Sussex is one of our favourite coastal getaways—it’s one of the sunniest places in the UK and it’s just 90 minutes from London. Aside from the quaint coffee shops, hearty pubs and picturesque seafront walks, this seaside town has family-friendly adventure parks and a miniature steam railway, plus it’s just around the corner from the South Downs National Park. And even on those rainy days, Eastbourne has plenty of fun and unique plans up its sleeve too, from exploring a Grade II listed chapel to practising yoga in an art gallery.
Rainy days in Eastbourne: why this seaside haven is worth a visit even when the heavens open
Let’s face it, the weather in London (and the rest of the UK for that matter) has been truly awful recently. But that doesn’t dampen Eastbourne’s allure.
Art lovers can seek shelter at Towner Eastbourne, the town’s acclaimed gallery in the Devonshire Quarter. It’s home to the world’s largest collection of Eric Ravilious works as well as a cosy cinema, workshops and candlelit yoga sessions.
Another rain-proof plan in Eastbourne is paying a visit to the historic All Saints The Old Chapel—a Grade II listed chapel built in 1867. It’s a hidden Gothic gem nestled on Darley Road, just a five-minute walk from the seafront. By day, soft light streams through the dramatic stained glass windows, illuminating soaring arches and intricate stonework. By night, thousands of flickering candles transform the chapel into an enchanting stage for candlelit concerts.
Need to keep the kids occupied? KiddiCity is an award-winning indoor play centre packed with themed play pods and a café. Then you’ve got Sovereign Centre—a huge leisure centre with waterslides, giant inflatables and a wave machine that’s fun for all the the family.
A seaside escape near London: things to do in Eastbourne when the sun shines
According to Sunsave, Eastbourne gets around 1,892 hours of sunshine each year, which is nearly 500 hours more than the UK average. No surprise, then, that seaside fun is in abundance here. On the Eastbourne Pier, you can play arcade games, grab some fish and chips and enjoy gorgeous views of the English Channel. In the summer months, there’s a series of outdoor concerts that takes place on the pier’s Art Deco bandstand.
For even more striking vistas, hike to Beachy Head and Seven Sisters cliffs for dramatic white chalk scenery and lighthouse views. The Seven Sisters walking trail (from Seaford Head to Beachy Head) stretches 14 miles and takes between 6-8 hours. Just beyond the cliffs, South Downs National Park unfolds with rolling green hills, ancient trails and wildflower meadows.
For more family-friendly things to do in Eastbourne, try Princes Mini-Golf—an 18-hole course with a cosy on-site café—followed by the E.M.S.R. Adventure Park, where a charming 1/8-scale steam train winds through a scenic country park.
How to get to Eastbourne from London
Direct train services run hourly from London Victoria to Eastbourne station via Southern Railway (sometimes Thameslink). It takes around 90 minutes by train and just under two hours by car via the A27 or M23.