Eastbourne Heritage Centre

Original maps, images, artefacts, and films show how Eastbourne was created as a new South coast town in the 1850s. It stands out as a brilliant example of good town planning, with fine Italianate architecture, elegant squares and parks, and a beautiful seafront and pier. Exhibitions describe how the railway brought prosperity in 1849, how the east side was inhabited by fishermen and the working community who made the success of the town possible, and how the town suffered heavy bombing in the Second World War. On display are the histories and scale models of important buildings, including the 1870s iron-framed Winter Garden (a miniature Crystal Palace), the classic mid-century Congress Theatre - both in the Devonshire Quarter, and the iconic 1935 seafront Bandstand.

Enjoy watching films about Eastbourne’s heritage in the cinema, and browse our range of gifts and cards in the shop - exclusive tea towels, fridge magnets, luxury soaps, our own published booklets about the town’s heritage, and a good selection of new and previously owned books about Eastbourne, Sussex, and the railways, etc.

Main exhibition: ‘Are You Being Served? – Eastbourne’s department stores remembered’ describes changes in retailing over the last 150 years, and how small shops developed into the the town’s four large department stores – Bobbys (the Harrods of Eastbourne), Dale & Kerley, Plummer Roddis, Beales – with an emphasis on quality merchandise, elegant surroundings, and good customer service.

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

1000-1600

Saturday 07 September:

1000-1600

Sunday 08 September:

1000-1700

Monday 09 September:

1400-1700

Location & directions

Eastbourne Heritage Centre, 2 Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4BT

Directions:

Located five minutes from the seafront opposite Favoloso's ice cream parlour, buses from town centre pass the building (ask for the Winter Garden, which is opposite). Parking can be found on the seafront and nearby, disability parking is immediately outside. There are steps up to the main entrance and stairs inside the building, but regretfully there is currently no wheelchair access.

Contact on day:

Steward on duty

Telephone number:

+441323411189

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

There are no lavatories for visitors to the site.

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