Eastbourne - East Sussex - A Popular Seaside Resort
Eastbourne - East Sussex - has a fine and long seafront, that is three miles from end to end; a lively pier with a cheerful bandstand near by, and plenty of quietly dignified Victorian houses, hotels and public buildings.
The town owes its rise to prominence to the 7th Duke of Devonshire who developed the coastal area from about 1850 onwards.
The beach is mainly shingle, leading down to sand at low tide, and divided by wooden groynes.
The main bathing beach, patrolled by lifeguards in the summer, is between the bandstand and the Wish Tower gardens, named after the Martello tower which stands above them.
Beside the Wish Tower is a lifeboat museum in the former lifeboat house, which was built in 1898 in memory of William Terris, an actor who was murdered outside a London theatre.
Though there are no ramps along the seafront, Eastbourne is a sailing centre, with three sailing clubs and facilities concentrated at the eastern end, past the Napoleonic fortress known as The Redoubt.
Eastbourne's heritage centre, a few minutes walk inland, traces the towns growth since the 17th century, and the nearby "How we lived then" museum of shops illustrates how people lived and shopped from 1850 to 1950.
Inland, Eastbourne spreads along the eastern edge of the downs as far as Polegate.
Polegate windmill is a restored tower mill built in 1817 and open to the public on various summer days and bank holidays.
Most of the town's fine public gardens also are located in this area, as is the Towner Art Gallery, housed in an 18th century manor house, which has a good collection of maritime images.
Between Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay is Sovereign Harbour, a large marina and leisure area.
Eastbourne attracts many visitors from numerous countries throughout the year.
It is well worth spending a day or two exploring this typical British seaside resort.
The town owes its rise to prominence to the 7th Duke of Devonshire who developed the coastal area from about 1850 onwards.
The beach is mainly shingle, leading down to sand at low tide, and divided by wooden groynes.
The main bathing beach, patrolled by lifeguards in the summer, is between the bandstand and the Wish Tower gardens, named after the Martello tower which stands above them.
Beside the Wish Tower is a lifeboat museum in the former lifeboat house, which was built in 1898 in memory of William Terris, an actor who was murdered outside a London theatre.
Though there are no ramps along the seafront, Eastbourne is a sailing centre, with three sailing clubs and facilities concentrated at the eastern end, past the Napoleonic fortress known as The Redoubt.
Eastbourne's heritage centre, a few minutes walk inland, traces the towns growth since the 17th century, and the nearby "How we lived then" museum of shops illustrates how people lived and shopped from 1850 to 1950.
Inland, Eastbourne spreads along the eastern edge of the downs as far as Polegate.
Polegate windmill is a restored tower mill built in 1817 and open to the public on various summer days and bank holidays.
Most of the town's fine public gardens also are located in this area, as is the Towner Art Gallery, housed in an 18th century manor house, which has a good collection of maritime images.
Between Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay is Sovereign Harbour, a large marina and leisure area.
Eastbourne attracts many visitors from numerous countries throughout the year.
It is well worth spending a day or two exploring this typical British seaside resort.
