Walk This Way for The Coast and Country Walking Festival!

When you think of Sussex, you immediately cast your thoughts to the boundless blue skies, the chalky cliffs overlooking the shore and the everlasting countryside. Wherever you are in Sussex, you can guarantee that with every twist and turn there will be something that makes you want to stop, breathe in the fresh air and cherish your surroundings. Forget the road trip, there's no better way to explore than by foot!

 

For the last three years, Eastbourne and Wealden's Coast and Country Walking Festival has been an opportunity for everybody to step outdoors and discover the South Downs, Sussex Weald and exquisite Eastbourne Coastline, whatever your ability. The walks cater for all audiences so whether you’re after a strenuous trek or a light jaunt, you can choose from a variety of walks from 24th September to 2nd October. The nine day event covers historical, literary, healthy and Nordic walks. 

Little feet won't be left out because 1st October marks the 90th anniversary for one special little bear, Winnie the Pooh, in their home in Ashdown Forest. The free event includes a mile long guided walk along Broadstone Amble, filled with Winnie related activities, followed by a talk by Kathryn Aalto and readings from her book 'The Natural World of Winnie the Pooh'. 

 

If your New Year’s resolution was to get fit, then get stuck in with the festival’s daily health walks. Or if you fancy yourself as a historian, you may be interested by the Historic Old Town walk or the Kipling Country walk, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Rudyard Kipling's passing. 

Fall in love with Sussex all over again by booking onto one of these wonderful walks! For more information visit http://sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk/. 

Alfresco Shakespeare in an English Seaside Garden!

In 2016 the UK is celebrating not one, but two of Great Britain's most wonderful heritage assets; William Shakespeare, arguably the world's most famous play write, and the 'English Garden', indisputably a quintessential feature of British culture.

So, in the 'Year of the English Garden', a tourism campaign launched by VisitBritain and also with the 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare’s death being commemorated in 2016, here in Eastbourne we're offering our visitors a delightful double-serving of alfresco Shakespeare set in the stunning and secluded Italian Gardens, which are located at the foot of the South Downs National Park. Plus, a whole lot more gardens for the green-fingered, nature loving visitors to explore and more Shakespeare and the arts for our culture-vulture visitors!

‘All the world’s a stage’ or all the garden is a stage in Eastbourne, when William Shakespeare’s As You Like It is recreated in the Italian Gardens. Located at Holywell Retreat; a quaint and peaceful beach, the Italian Gardens are home to a unique wooded amphitheatre carved out of Beachy Head’s famous white chalk cliffs and surrounded by beautiful trees and this creates the perfect setting for a summer's night watching some of Shakespeare's best works unfold in a stunning alfresco location.

Bringing Shakespeare and nature together, Eastbourne Dramatic and Operatic Society, recreate one of Shakespeare’s most memorable plays from 27 July to 6 August. The ItalianGardens are transformed into ‘The Forest of Arden’, the setting in which Shakespeare’s most modern of women, Rosalind, tries to teach her lover and the audience how to win and keep a lover, whilst dressed as a man!

There really isn't a more romantic way to spend Mid-summer evenings, than in these beautiful secluded gardens which are often referred to as 'Eastbourne’s best kept secret'. Visitors, residents and holiday-makers can come and absorb culture, the striking natural beauty of the beach-facing gardens and a truly enchanting atmosphere. 

The gardens boast undercover seating or a grassed area ideal for setting up a picnic and taking in all the action from the ‘front-row’ and with a refreshment marquee selling hot drinks, soft drinks and wines and beers, plus an array of delicious cakes, theatre-goers will have have both their culture appetites met, as well as their foodie needs met.

More Shakespeare comes in the form of a ‘Macbeth’ parody, when The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company stages Macbyrd in the Italian Gardens for one night only on 10 July. The setting of the Shakespearean satire is Sussex’s very own Jevington village (just a few miles outside of Eastbourne) and this absurd comedy which features 16 birds as lead characters, portrays power struggles in a WW2 English community.

Love Italy, but can't afford that trip to Rome or Milan this year? Nevermind, a trip to Eastbourne will allow you to discover some more Italian culture when the smells and flavours of Italy come to Eastbourne at the Seafront Italian Market, from 28-30 July! There are dozens of edible Italian delights to be scooped-up, from pastas, antipastos and pizzas, to meats, fishes and of course an array of Italy's yummiest sweet treats, ice-cream, tiramisu and more!

Another one for the arts and Italian culture loving visitors this summer, OperaCoast brings a two-day course for aspiring performers to the Birley Centre, culminating in a performance of opera, La Rondine by Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini on Sunday 24 July. You can even sign-up to the two-course and have your five minutes of fame in this community opera!

Even more comedy-esque Shakespeare arrives in Eastbourne in August, when the DevonshirePark Theatre presents The ShakespeareRevue, a comic concoction of hilarious sketches and show-stopping numbers where Shakespeare meets showbiz in a dazzling cabaret-style musical originally produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

'In an English Country Garden....' Come and Explore the Gardens Trail in and around Eastbourne!

Gorgeous gardens and literary links are bountiful in and around Eastbourne. National Trust run Bateman’s in nearby Burwash is the former home of world famous author and poet, Rudyard Kipling. ‘Just So Story Day’ on 3 August where visitors to Bateman’s can listen to stories inspired by Kipling’s daughter’s inquisitive nature, and ‘The Jungle Book Trail’ on 22 July, are just two literature-inspired ways to explore Bateman’s striking gardens.

Enchanting Charleston, country home of the Bloomsbury Group, has a very colourful history and the walled garden designed in 1916 was inspired by ‘Italian fresco’, with mosaics, box hedges, gravel pathways and ponds. The house and gardens are open to the public Wednesday-Sunday until 30 October.

Michelham Priory boasts a fascinating 800 year-old history, 7 acres of grounds and gardens, a medieval herb garden, a working watermill and forge and an interactive medieval gallery. Garden explorers can visit the Tudor manor house from 10.30am-5pm until 31 October.

If you are planning an overnight stay and you want a gorgeous garden to feast your eyes on, you should book in to Ocklynge Manor, a 300 year-old manor house which is surrounded by a stunning three-quarter acre garden, complete with with an abundance of flowers and plants, it really is dreamy. So dreamy in fact that Mabel Lucie Attwell, the illustrator of J.M.Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’ once lived in the house and imagined up many of the splendid imagery featured in 'Peter Pan', in this very house.  You'll find a historic blue plaque commemorating her on the road-side wall of the manor.

For more information on ‘As You Like It’, the Italian Gardens and all events and attractions listed here go to www.visiteastbourne.com.  

Culture and Cake Q&A with Heritage Eastbourne Service Manager Jo Seaman!

     As the Redoubt Fortress kicks-off its 2016 Culture and Cake season tomorrow, we talk to Heritage Eastbourne Service Manager, Jo Seaman to discuss all the exciting and interesting subjects to be discovered during the series this year! 

Jo Seaman in his most natural 'excavation' habitat.

    Q - What is the objective and purpose behind the Culture and Cake series and what will visitors get out of the events?

       

    A - The Culture and Cake series offers a different kind of talk in an informal setting, where visitors can discover the untold stories of Eastbourne or can find out the story behind some of the amazing objects in our collections and the Redoubt Fortress itself!

      

   Q - How were this year’s subjects for Culture and Cake talks decided and for what reasons?

      

   A - The talks were carefully chosen to reflect some of the other things Heritage Eastbourne is doing this year and also in response to feedback received after last year’s series.

      

Q - How are Culture and Cakes events conducted?

      

A - The Culture and Cake talks take place in one of the Casemates in the atmospheric Redoubt Fortress, followed by cake and a hot drink in the Outpost and a chance to chat to the speaker about the talk.

      

Q - The first in the series “Learning to Live with Ghosts” takes place this Saturday (16 April), what will the talk teach people about WW1?

      

A - This talk will take an in depth look at how Vera Brittain changed lives after the First World War and discuss the effect the lost generation had on the nation.

     

Q - "Health,Wealth and Happiness" in August discusses Eastbourne’s rise to becoming a flourishing seaside resort town throughout history. How does an Eastbourne seaside holiday today, differ from seaside holidays in Eastbourne 100 years ago?

     

A - Seaside Holidays have changed massively, in some ways beyond recognition. We are returning to the sporting holiday idea though!  Seaside holidays were first popular for the so called 'Health Tourists', visiting the coast to reap the benefits of the sea air and sea bathing. It soon changed to appeal to the sporting family, enjoying a game of tennis, cycling around the parks and strolling along the prom. There are so many more things to do on holiday in Eastbourne now, Eastbourne’s early holiday makers were left to their own devices and occupied their time with leisurely pursuits. Now, we’ve got lots of theatres, heritage attractions, leisure centres and so much more.

     

      Q - In July, "Culture and Cake: Once Upon a Time" uncovers the story behind 10 archaeological discoveries in Eastbourne. Can you tell us a little about some of those amazing discoveries - and which discovery, in your opinion is the most fascinating?

      A - There really have been so many amazing discoveries made in Eastbourne over the years, but it is only recently that we have started to put these stories together as a cohesive narrative.  This story is getting bigger and more exciting each time a new site is investigated or an old one reanalysed and at the same time we are finding more and more about what this area was like in the past. All archaeological work reveals something new and unique, even if it is the simple fact that there was actually nothing going on at a given spot!  But the discoveries we will be looking at range from prehistoric hippos and elephants found near what is now Terminus Road, to lost Medieval manor houses and much more besides, in short we will be looking at what has been going on round here in the past 200 million years or so! All of the discoveries are fascinating, but the one that still intrigues me most is 'Beachy Head Lady', a skeleton rediscovered after being in storage for over a century and who has presented us with evidence of the earliest identified sub-Saharan African in Britain, her story must have been a remarkable one but you will have to come to the talk to learn more!

     

Q - Culture and Cake in September, "The Discovery of a Lifetime" delves into the discovery of a Bronze Age site here in Eastbourne, which is also the basis for the current exhibition at the Pavilion. What can people learn at the talk, which they couldn’t by visiting the exhibition? 

A - Although the exhibition is a really exciting way to learn about the incredible Bronze Age site discovered at Shinewater, the talk will have more of the personal detail of what the excavation was really like and will also include in-depth analysis of the findings that we just didn’t have room for in the exhibition.  We will also get a chance to delve more deeply into the murky world of Bronze Age ritual deposition and to discuss what the purpose of the massive and enigmatic structures may have been using theories put forward by various experts

Q - We've covered the culture, so now for the cake! What yummy cakes will be served up in The Outpost Cafe during the Culture and Cake season?

A - Well, as the series goes from May - October, I think the cakes on offer will change depending on the month as the Outpost always provides some great seasonal treats. However, you can almost always be sure to be tuck into Lemon Drizzle Cake, an amazing Victoria Sponge and some delicious Bombardier's Brownies (the Redoubt's version of a chocolate Brownie) at the Outpost!

       For more information on all Culture and Cake talks at the Redoubt this year, visit www.EastbourneMuseums.co.uk/whats-on. Tickets for all Culture and Cake talks are £6 and include cake and a drink in The Outpost and entry to the Redoubt museum! 

An Adrenalin-Filled, Family-Fun Season of Events in Eastbourne!

Eastbourne always promises to provide a season of fantastic events, from the fast-paced and high-intensity events to the more tranquil and relaxing ones, there will most certainly be something to suit the varying tastes of all, from the oldest visitors to the youngest visitors to Eastbourne this year! 

Take a look at all the major events happening in Eastbourne in 2016!

21 April - The Queen’s Birthday Beacon Lighting and Party

Come and join Eastbourne in celebrating the Queen’s 90^th Birthday with a Beacon Lighting and Party, completely free to attend. Opening with a party complete with DJ set from “DJ Oli”, the evening commences with a torch-lit procession, followed by the lighting of the Queen’s Birthday Beacon and firework display. Find more information at www.VisitEastbourne.com.

30 April - 1 May – Magnificent Motors

Celebrating the world of classic motoring, Magnificent Motors is a fabulously vintage free bank holiday festival, with over 600 classic cars, campers, bicycles, motorbikes, military vehicles and more exhibiting on Eastbourne’s seafront facing Western Lawns. With a cavalcade each day, the festival provides live music entertainment, food, drink and a funfair atmosphere, plus this year’s festival will be made complete with a four day Vintage market on Eastbourne’s promenade. Find out more at www.VisitEastbourne.com/magnificent-motors.

13-15 May - Museums at Night

Eastbourne’s 200 year old Napoleonic Redoubt Fortress will be joining in with national ‘Museums at Night’ events across the country, by putting on three film screenings across the three days; Alien (1979), The Mummy (1959) and a family friendly screening of One of my Dinosaur’s is Missing (1975) with fossil making and face-painting. Discover more at www.EastbourneMuseums.co.uk.

27-29 May - Beer and Cider by the Sea Festival

Eastbourne’s annual Spring bank holiday festival, Beer and Cider by the Sea takes place from 27-29 May on Eastbourne’s Western Lawns. Come and sample over 60 real ales; many brewed locally in Sussex, more than of 48 Ciders and Perries from the National Cider and Perry collection, plus wine, cocktails, Pimms and more! Wash it all down with a weekend line-up of live music on the festival stage. For ticket sales information and more go to www.VisitEastbourne.com/events.

11 June – Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival – (Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II 90^th Birthday)

The biggest seafront carnival in the South East returns to Eastbourne’s seafront, this year the carnival also celebrates the Queen’s 90^th Birthday. Expect extravagantly decorated floats, exquisite costumes and plenty of cheer fit for a royal celebration. For more information go to www.eastbournecarnival.co.uk.

12 June – Eastbourne Triathlon – New for 2016

Brand new for 2016, the Eastbourne Triathlon builds on Eastbourne’s reputation for hosting great coastal challenges in stunning surroundings. Participants will join elite triathletes, Ben Allen and Jackie Slack in swimming 600 metres in Eastbourne’s warm sea waters, cycling 25km in the stunning South Downs National Park and then running 5km run along Eastbourne’s glorious promenade. Go to www.eastbournetriathlon.com to enter.

18 -25 June - Aegon Eastbourne International (WTA Women's International Tennis)

The Aegon Eastbourne International is back for another adrenalin-filled week of tennis. It always attracts many of top ten international players from the world of women’s tennis, as they come to Eastbourne – the hometown of current British number 1, Johanna Konta - to battle it out for the ultimate, pre-Wimbledon trophy, and with the announcements that Petra Kvitova and defending champion Belinda Bencic will be returning to Devonshire Park this June, this year's tournament is already set to be a scorcher! Visit www.VisitEastbourne.com/tennis for information on booking and further tournament details.

18 -19 June - Eastbourne Feastival

In its second year, Eastbourne Feastival brings a fusion of international cuisine, culture, music and dance in a weekend long festival set in Eastbourne’s stunning Princes Park, a stone’s throw away from the beach, completely free to enter. Visit www.eastbournefeastival.com to discover more.

16 July - MCS Big Sea Swim

The Marine Conservation Society has chosen to hold its Big Sea Swim in Eastbourne for the fourth year running, due to Eastbourne’s high standards of clean sea water. Take the plunge and swim 1km or 3km on a hot summer’s day whilst raising money to support the conservation of the UK’s seas and oceans for everyone. Enter at www.mcsuk.org/swim.

16-17 July – Beach Life Festival including Eastbourne Extreme

Eastbourne’s Beach Life Festival kick starts the summer holidays with an adventure filled weekend on Eastbourne seafront, at the South Coast’s coolest free extreme sports festival. Featuring a line-up of land and water based outdoor pursuits, from 11am daily, the festival vibes continue with live entertainment on the music stage. Go to www.visiteastbourne.com/extreme for festival updates.

30-31 July - Lammas Festival – Folk Music and Dance

Lammas Festival brings folk music, dance and entertainment to Eastbourne’s seafront facing Western Lawns, in a free two day festival dedicated to marking the cutting of the first corn crop, a traditional folk celebration at the beginning of harvesting season. Discover more at www.lammasfest.org.

11-14 August - Airbourne - Eastbourne International Airshow

Eastbourne’s award-winning international airshow, Airbourne now in its 24^th year, flies into Eastbourne in August for another free four day event featuring many of the best display teams on the international circuit, with the RAF Red Arrows, King Air, Eurofighter Typhoon and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight all confirmed to fly! Keep up to speed with flying line-up announcements at www.eastbourneairshow.com.

10-11 September – Steampunk Festival

Escape into a quirky unknown universe of the science-fiction sub-genre, Steampunk which sees Victoriana meeting the cyber-world. With unique Steampunk activities commencing throughout the two days and a Masquerade Ball on the evening of 10 September. Go to www.steampunkfestival.co.uk for further information.

24 September – 2 October – Coast and Country Walking Festival

Organised by Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council, the nine day festival offers a diverse range of tour-guided walks through some of East Sussex’s most beautiful terrain. From Nordic walking to brewery walks, the festival offers something for people from all walks of life. Visit www.sussexwalkingfestival.org.uk for more information.

1 October - Eastbourne Bonfire Society Procession, Fireworks & Bonfire

A torch-lit Bonfire Procession on Eastbourne’s seafront sees drummers, pipers, dancers and bonfire societies from all over the county joining the Eastbourne Bonfire Society to celebrate bonfire season in Sussex, a tradition dating back centuries, complete with a beach bonfire and grand firework display. More information at www.visiteastbourne.com.

6-8 October – Eastbourne Beer Festival

Get to Eastbourne’s much-loved Autumn Beer Festival to sample from range of over 160 real cask ales on tap, many quirky named brews and plenty of award winning ales, and many more delicious beverages from the Wine Bar, Cider Bar and the International Bottled Beers Bar. The festival dedicated to the nation’s favourite past-time would not be complete without pub games, live entertainment and some tasty treats to complement the fine drink on offer. For updates and ticket release information go to www.visiteastbourne.com/beer-festival.

29 October – Beachy Head Marathon and 10K Race

Eastbourne’s Beachy Head Marathon is renowned for being one of the biggest off-road marathons in the UK, popular for its scenic and challenging route through the South Downs National Park countryside. The race now incorporates a 10k run, for a slightly smaller challenge, but with the same reward of breathtaking views. Enter now at www.BeachyHeadMarathon.org.uk.

3-18 December – Eastbourne Christmas Market

After the first successful Christmas Market, Eastbourne’s Chamber of Commerce brings the traditional wooden stall Christmas market back to the Bandstand for a longer sting in 2016. Explore the market, feast on festive favourite foods, buy some unique Christmas gifts and marvel at the Bandstand’s beautiful transformation into a Winter Wonderland. Find out more at www.VisitEastbourne.com

Keep up to date with a complete guide to all Eastbourne events at www.VisitEastbourne.com/events.

The Eastbourne Easter Round-Up!

Eastbourne has a basket-full of great ideas for fun family days out this Easter, from exploring the Redoubt Fortress’s Easter trail, to the opening of Drusillas Park’s new water attraction, wondrous South Downs walks and trails and much more, if you're looking for an egg-citing Easter break, then make your way to Eastbourne for a whole lot of fabulous family fun!

Eastbourne’s Redoubt Fortress is hosting a free Opening Weekend on 26 and 27 March, with the museum being completely free entry for all! Explore the museum and the brand new exhibition, For Hearth, Home and Honour?, which children can discover through an interactive detectives kit! Plus, go in search of the Redoubt Rabbit who is hiding in the fortress and discover some fun spring facts en-route on the Redoubt's Easter Trail from 25 March – 10 April. All those who find the rabbit will receive a chocolate treat at the end of the trail!  

Pop next door to the Pavilion and solve the mysteries of Eastbourne's Bronze Age story, in a brand new exhibition for 2016, Making Tracks: Eastbourne's Bronze Age Mystery, complete with a rebuild of part of the UK's largest Bronze Age track-way. 

The Seven Sisters Sheep Centre, which is now open for lambing season, will make for the loveliest of spring time experiences! The traditional farming centre is open for visitors to enjoy the miracle of birth, join in feeding time and pet new born lambs from 5 March – 2 May!

For more Easter trails, head to Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters from 25-18 March, going in search of hidden clues on Belle Tout and Lookout Hill and answering trivia questions and completing challenges, where afterwards you'll be rewarded with a delicious Cadbury Easter bunny back at the Visitor Centre! 

From 24 March - 10 April Bateman’s country house also have a Cadbury Easter Trail allowing visitors to explore the former home of writer Rudyard Kipling, in a hunt for a chocolate reward at the end! 

Drusillas Park, is getting set to 'Get Wet' as it opens its newest attraction this Easter! Get Wet, is a new splash pad collection of thrilling water jets, spiraling sprays, twirling streams and palm trees, so as the weather warms up, there are now even more reasons to head to the UK's best small zoo! The park also welcomes The Gruffalo for his debut appearance at Drusillas on 30 March, plus many more favourite characters this Easter from Hello Kitty to The Fat Controller.

On Easter Sunday (27 March), jump on board the Easter Eggspress at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway and ride around the pretty country park on a steam locomotive, one eighth of the original size, receiving a delicious Easter egg when alighting the train.

Knockhatch Adventure Park celebrates Easter with an Easter Extravaganza of fun trails and egg hunts, alongside its usual family offering of outdoor adventure play, large petting farm, a boating lake and much more!

Why not take a lovely long family walk along the South Downs Way on any day this bank holiday weekend? Hike from Eastbourne to Alfriston, breathing in the fresh Eastbourne air and drinking in the beautiful scenery. Stop off along route in Jevington for a warm and cosy rest at the Eight Bells pub, to refuel on locally brewed real ales and delicious traditional pub grub.

And of course, Eastbourne’s 1930’s Bandstand will be hosting its annual free Easter Sunday concert with traditional concert music from the town’s own Eastbourne Silver Band. Come along and join in with the celebrations at the Bandstand from 2.30pm on 27 March.

So if you're heading to Eastbourne this weekend, you'll be completely spoiled for choice for ways to spend your days! Happy Easter! 

For more information on all Easter events go to www.VisitEastbourne.com.

Discover Victorian Seaside Holiday Fun and Eastbourne's Bronze Age Mystery this Year all with Heritage Eastbourne!

Heritage Eastbourne has got a super season of captivating interactive exhibitions plus a great line-up of fun and engaging events in store for 2016! From Bronze Age discoveries to WWI and a free vintage Summer Holiday programme, you'll want to head to Eastbourne from 21 March when the Redoubt Fortress opens its gates for this fabulous season! What's more, the majority of exhibitions are completely free, so great family days out with Heritage Eastbourne are accessible to all this year!

Did you know that 21 years ago, the UK's biggest Bronze Age causeway was discovered in Shinewater Park in Eastbourne? Well it was, and now for the first time the stories and fascinating mysteries of the people who lived in Eastbourne and built this astonishing track-way over 3000 years ago, are being brought to the foreground in an exciting new and free exhibition at the Pavilion, on Eastbourne's seafront!

Opening on 21 March, Making Tracks: Eastbourne’s Bronze Age Mystery recreates part of the Bronze Age causeway, contains a display of never before seen artefacts from the British Museum, Bronze Age items such as axes and jewellery uncovered in Eastbourne and allows you, the visitor to piece together the prehistoric puzzle to discover the tales of international visitors and human inventiveness from an astonishing time period! 

There's even a free dedicated Bronze Age Day on 23 July which celebrates the exhibition giving you the opportunity to have a go at making Bronze Age food, shoes and even flint making, in a family fun day which you and your children will love!

Summer might seem a little far away right now, but the Redoubt already has a great summer exhibition and activities lined-up! In another free exhibition, discover Eastbourne’s journey from a Victorian seaside ‘tennis town’ to 1970’s mass market seaside resort in the Seaside Holiday exhibition from 23 July to 5 September! The nostalgic exhibition will showcase some great holiday memorabilia from 1940’s bathing costumes, to an exquisite Railway Porter’s uniform heralding the days of luxury steam travel and Lewis Carroll’s renowned bed desk, designed especially for his holidays in Eastbourne.

With postcards, photographs and memories on display, you can leave your own memories at the exhibition, whilst your kids will love taking part in themed activities on the parade ground. With traditional seaside fun with free sandpits and a summer play park, your children will be occupied for hours, letting you relax with a Colonel Coffee and Sergeants Scone or a Trench Toastie in the vintage Outpost Cafe!

Also opening on the 21 March, when the Napoleonic fortress re-opens for the season, you'll discover a brand new WW1 exhibition in the fortress's fascinating military museum! For Hearth, Home and Honour? Eastbourne Learns the Reality of War uncovers the story of 11 Sussex men, all either wounded or killed at the Battle of Boar’s Head and shows the human side of war and its effect upon both the soldiers and the local community. With real footage of soldiers marching through the town’s train station, diary extracts, poetic sounds of the battlefield and a display of Eastbourne’s very own Victoria Cross winner, Nelson Victor Carter. Visiting with children? Younger visitors can also interact with a soldier’s kit bag of interactive equipment to help them discover life as a soldier!

The 200 year old fortress is home to many more renowned exhibits, from rare WW1 trench art to a captured German staff car; step back in time in the interactive 1940’s garden, featuring real aerial and audio footage of a Sussex family watching the Battle of Britain overhead.

Plan ahead for the year and make some awesomely authentic Halloween plans, as the Redoubt hosts two weekends of spooky Twilight Ghost Tours in October in which you can explore the creepy corridors by night! 

Talking of night time, the Redoubt joins in with the national Museums at Night celebration from the 13-15 May with its very own film festival. Adults will love the spine tingling screening of The Mummy (1959), complete with an introduction to Egyptian curses from a renowned Egyptologist, plus the terrifying screening of Alien (1979), whilst a family friendly event will screen One of My Dinosaurs is Missing (1975) and will have some fossil making fun thrown in for good dino-measure!

If you like cake and learning, then you'll be happy to know that last year's successful Culture and Cake series is back and even bigger this year! During the fascinating and engaging talks, passionate historians cover subjects such as Learning to Live With Ghosts and Health, Wealth and Happiness by the Sea, at the monthly talks from April to October! 

The Redoubt opens every day from 21 March until 13 November. Entry to the Making Tracks and Seaside Holiday exhibitions, cafés, parade ground and gun platform is free. Museum entry includes the WW1 exhibition and costs £4.50 per adult, £2.50 per child or £12 per family. Every ticket includes a free return visit in 2016, or visit the free Bronze Age exhibition and complete the exhibition trail for free kids entry to the museum!  For further information visit www.EastbourneMuseums.co.uk or telephone 01323 410300.

Fall in love in Eastbourne this Valentine's Day with Stargazing, Ballroom Dancing and More!

Whatever your budget and whatever your style, if you're looking to spoil someone special this Valentine's Day, Eastbourne is the perfect romantic escape!

For culture and passion on the stage, the Congress Theatre has it covered this Valentine's weekend! On 12 February, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beke and Erin Boag bring the heat of the ballroom to the stage of the Congress Theatre when their sizzling new dance tour stops in Eastbourne, bringing passionate ballroom dances performed to hits of the golden age! 

If dreamy romanticism is more what you're after, then an afternoon at the Congress on Valentine's Day listening to the London Philharmonic Orchestra perform a romantic classical variety is the one for you. The beautifully relaxing concert will include Schumann's musical love letter to his wife: his Piano Concerto; and Sibelius's beautiful and uplifting Symphony No. 5.

For the most romantic of outdoor activities, head to the Redoubt Fortress on Eastbourne's seafront for an evening of stargazing. In the company of your loved-one, gaze at the sky through the eye of the telescope on Saturday 13 February as the Eastbourne Astronomical Society take you on a romantic guided-tour of the night sky, spotting craters on the moon, stars in the galaxy and the Orion Nebula! It's also a completely free event, so you'll be able to splash out more on dinner later on!

If you're looking for fine dining, The Grand Hotel, the only 5* seaside hotel in the UK, provides the fanciest of settings for a perfect Valentine's dinner! Lovers who lunch can choose between the 'Fine Dining Romance Dinner' in the reputable Mirabelle Restaurant, the 'Garden Restaurant Romance Dinner’ or a ‘Romantic Afternoon Tea’ served in The Great Hall. From just £145.00 per person, dine in the Garden Restaurant and stay at the Grand overnight! Enter our competition for a chance to win a Valentine’s Dinner for Two in the Grand’s Garden Restaurant!

For Afternoon Teas coupled with discovery, an afternoon at either Michelham Priory, an 800 year old country house with seven acres of beautiful gardens or at National Trust run Bateman's will be ideal! Michelham Priory is serving up a luxury Valentines canapé tea, complete with a glass of Prosecco, a special Valentine's gift and full entry to the house on 13 and 14 February. On 14 February visit Bateman’s and enjoy a stroll around the garden at the former home of Rudyard Kipling, followed by a delicious Valentine’s Tea! 

If art is the way to your heart, Eastbourne’s contemporary gallery, Towner Art Gallery has two great exhibitions this Valentine’s weekend; Recording Britain; a collection developed at the outbreak of the Second World War which aimed to document rural and urban

environments under threat, and Peter Sellers: Behind the Camera; a retrospective of the career of his career.

Stay overnight and make the most of the romantic coastal location! Go to VisitEastbourne.com/accommodation for all the best places to stay in Eastbourne and some fabulous Valentine's weekend offers!