Holiday rentals and lettings in Eastbourne

Table of Contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday letting in Eastbourne?
• Holiday rentals and lettings in Eastbourne: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Eastbourne: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Eastbourne?

• Eastbourne sits on the East Sussex coast beneath the South Downs, with the white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters just to the west.
• It is one of the sunniest towns in Britain, making a self-catering holiday letting an easy choice for a seaside break at almost any time of year.
• Accommodation ranges from seafront apartments and Victorian townhouses to cosy cottages and modern marina homes at Sovereign Harbour.
• The elegant pier, promenade, bandstand and Carpet Gardens give the resort its classic seaside character within easy walking distance of most rentals.
• Direct trains from London Victoria take around 90 minutes, so a holiday letting here works well for both short breaks and longer stays.

Eastbourne offers a wide choice of self-catering stays to suit every group and budget. Families and couples often favour spacious holiday cottages, while those wanting to be close to the seafront tend to book bright seafront apartments. For larger parties, characterful holiday homes give everyone room to spread out.

• Wi-Fi throughout for streaming and remote working
• A private balcony or terrace, ideal for sea views
• A garden or outdoor space for warmer days
• Allocated or on-street parking near the property
• A fully equipped kitchen for self-catering meals

If you prefer a more personal welcome, cosy bed and breakfasts are dotted across town, and for a rural feel just outside the resort you can also find snug cabins and lodges.

What are the best areas to stay in Eastbourne?

Where you base yourself shapes your stay. The seafront puts you steps from the pier and promenade, while The Meads offers a quieter, more elegant setting close to the cliffs. The town centre is best for shops and transport, Sovereign Harbour suits marina lovers, and the Old Town rewards those after character and value.

What do our guests say?

Guests regularly praise the comfort and cleanliness of our Eastbourne holiday lettings, along with how easy it is to reach the seafront and the surrounding countryside on foot. Many highlight the warm welcome from hosts, the well-equipped kitchens and the peaceful nights' sleep. Families appreciate the space to relax together, while couples enjoy the sea views and the freedom of a self-catering base for exploring the town and the South Downs.

Eastbourne, in East Sussex, is an elegant Victorian seaside resort strung along the coast beneath the rolling South Downs. Its wide promenade, ornate pier, bandstand and colourful Carpet Gardens have drawn visitors for generations. Just to the west rise Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, the dramatic white chalk cliffs where the Downs meet the sea, offering some of the finest coastal walking in southern England. With a mild climate, sandy-shingle beaches and a lively town centre, Eastbourne balances traditional seaside charm with easy access to unspoilt countryside.

✈️What is the best way to get to Eastbourne?

Eastbourne is well connected by road and rail, so reaching your holiday letting is straightforward whether you drive or take the train.

• By car: Follow the A22 from London and the M25, or the A27 coastal road near Brighton, then follow signs into the town centre and seafront.
• By train: Direct services run from London Victoria in around 90 minutes, with connections along the coast to Brighton, Hastings and Ashford.

🥗Where to eat in Eastbourne?

According to Google Maps reviews, Aegea is one of the best rated restaurants in Eastbourne. Below is a table showing top highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller Charlotte rates The Beach Deck on the seafront: a relaxed beachfront spot for a bite and a drink with lovely views out over the sea after a stroll along the promenade. She suggests arriving a little before sunset, grabbing a table on the deck and watching the light fade over the water with the pier in the distance.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

Eastbourne is one of Britain's sunniest towns, so there is rarely a bad time to visit, though each season has its own appeal. Summer brings the busiest, brightest days, spring and autumn offer mild weather and quieter streets, and winter is calm and atmospheric along the seafront.

Summer (June–August)

• Warm, sunny days perfect for the beach and promenade
• The bandstand hosts its full programme of concerts
• Long evenings ideal for coastal walks and alfresco dining

Spring & Autumn (April–May, September–October)

• Mild temperatures and fewer crowds on the seafront
• Excellent conditions for walking on the South Downs
• Good-value holiday lettings outside the peak season

Winter (November–March)

• Crisp, bracing walks along a quiet promenade
• Cosy self-catering stays with the town to yourself
• Festive lights and events in the run-up to Christmas

⭐Our Hosts' recommendation: Our hosts suggest starting the day early with a walk up to Beachy Head before the crowds arrive, then heading back into town for coffee and a wander along the pier. Pack layers whatever the season, as the clifftop breeze can be brisk, and leave time for a slow stroll through the Carpet Gardens on the way home.

1. Stroll the pier and seafront
2. Walk to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
3. Explore the South Downs
4. Visit the Towner art gallery
5. Relax in the Carpet Gardens and by the bandstand

1. Stroll the pier and seafront

   Eastbourne's Victorian pier is the heart of the resort, reaching out over the sea with its amusements, kiosks and sweeping views back along the coast. Begin with a leisurely walk out to the end, then follow the wide promenade past the bandstand and the colourful Carpet Gardens. On a sunny day the seafront comes alive with families, walkers and cyclists, and there are plenty of cafes and benches where you can pause, watch the waves and soak up the classic English seaside atmosphere.

2. Walk to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters

   Just west of town, the chalk cliffs of Beachy Head rise more than 160 metres above the sea, offering breathtaking views and the iconic red-and-white lighthouse below. Continue along the clifftop path and you reach the Seven Sisters, a rolling run of white cliffs that is one of the most photographed stretches of coastline in Britain. Wear sturdy shoes, keep well back from the edge and allow a few hours to enjoy the fresh air, big skies and endless sea views at your own pace.

3. Explore the South Downs

   Behind Eastbourne stretches the South Downs National Park, a landscape of chalk hills, ancient woodland and quiet villages laced with footpaths and bridleways. The South Downs Way begins right here in Eastbourne, making it easy to set off on a scenic hike or gentle countryside ramble straight from your holiday letting. Along the way you will find grazing sheep, wildflower meadows and sweeping viewpoints, plus welcoming country pubs where you can stop for lunch before heading back towards the coast.

4. Visit the Towner art gallery

   The Towner is Eastbourne's striking contemporary art gallery, easily spotted by its bold, colourful exterior near the Congress Theatre. Inside you will find an acclaimed collection of modern and historic British art, along with a lively programme of changing exhibitions, talks and family activities. Entry to the main galleries is free, making it a perfect rainy-day option or a relaxed cultural break between beach walks. Round off your visit with a coffee in the cafe, which enjoys lovely views towards the sea.

5. Relax in the Carpet Gardens and by the bandstand

   The Carpet Gardens, laid out along the seafront, are famous for their intricate, ever-changing floral displays inspired by ornate carpet patterns. Stroll among the vivid beds, then settle in at the nearby bandstand, one of the finest in the country, where regular concerts fill the summer air with music. It is a wonderfully gentle way to spend an afternoon: find a deckchair, listen to a brass band or orchestra, and enjoy the sea breeze in one of Eastbourne's most cherished settings.