Small Budget, Big Experiences

Budget doesn’t need to mean boring, there’s so many ideas of great trips out which don’t need to cost a fortune! Check out some of our suggestions below:

• Beachy Head Story is a free exhibition packed with fascinating artefacts – ideal for a soggy afternoon.

• Raystead Animal Sanctuary  - A trip out of town but a free afternoon experience, with donations gratefully received. Plan your visit here.

• Eyes to the skies – Clear nights call for star gazing and there's no better place than in the South Downs National Park. An International Dark Sky Reserve, check out their beginners guide to stargazing.

• Chips on the prom – treat yourself to some chippy chips for under £3 from The Holiday Inn, Carlisle Road or any of the local chippies in town. Word to the wise, they taste better in the sea air.

• Rock Pool and Fossil Hunting on the miles of Eastbourne seafront. Check the tide times to maximise your chances of spotting sea-life in the thousands of rock pools. A low tide walk to the lighthouse is an exhilarating experience but be sure to check the tide times before setting off! The steps by Pinnacle Point (also known locally as The Sugar Loaf) near the Holy Well spring bring you up to the foot of the South Downs Way, and the nearby Helen Garden park where you can grab a hot drink from the café.

• A walking tour of old town is an enjoyable way of spending an afternoon, why not coincide it with a trip to Eastbourne’s oldest watering hole, The Lamb? Take a stroll through Gildredge Park onto Church Street, through the churchyard at St Mary’s, onto Parsonage Road and through Motcombe Gardens. See Tommy Cooper's oldest parts of old town on Ockylynge Road and Crown Street. Meander back to The Lamb for a refreshment, or try the other nearby pubs: The Cown, The Prince Albert, The Star or The Counting House! Find more walking route ideas here.

• Picnics don’t need to be reserved for sunny days, a snuggly blanket with a thermos of warm soup can be far more memorable than a soggy sandwich!

• Camilla’s book shop is a must visit for anyone visiting or living in Eastbourne. This iconic Eastbourne book shop is (literally) stacked with everything from rare tomes to budget friendly paperbacks. Paris has Shakespeare and Company, Eastbourne has Camilla’s and it’s an unforgettable place.

• Eastbourne Pier celebrates 158 years of entertaining Eastbourne this year, free to access, have a stroll down the 300 meters of this iron structure to enjoy the views of Eastbourne seafront. Take a chance at the penny falls arcades without spending a fortune.

• Towner Gallery. A treat for the senses, see Ravilious Gallery and Collection Library with free admission, plus Turner 2023 exhibition on until 14 April 2024. Eastbourne ALIVE is also running throughout the town with free public artworks and events to discover.

• Thrift fabulous – did you know Eastbourne has over 20 charity shops, bag a bargain and satisfy your retail cravings while being an environmentally conscious consumer. Head to Terminus Road and Grove Road to get started.