Eastbourne

Gifts inspired by Eastbourne, on clothing, prints and mugs.

Eastbourne memories, from the pier to the Downs

Eastbourne Pier opened in 1872. The Victorian structure stands on Grand Parade and looks out over the English Channel. Between the pier and the bandstand, the Carpet Gardens form another named part of the promenade. The main resort beach stretches between the Wish Tower and the pier, giving Eastbourne's seafront a set of recognisable points rather than an anonymous length of shore. The gardens, pier and beach each belong to that resort setting.

Other Eastbourne buildings tell different stories. The Redoubt formed part of the coastal defences built against Napoleon. The Grand Hotel stands at the western end of King Edward's Parade. These places share a coastal position, but their origins are distinct: one belongs to the history of defence, while the hotel belongs to the resort's built seafront. They give a reminder of Eastbourne more than a single pier view to refer to.

Beyond the promenade, Belle Tout is a clifftop lighthouse. It was replaced by the Beachy Head Lighthouse at sea level. Nearby Birling Gap has a pebble beach beneath the Seven Sisters, with rockpools and reef exposed at low tide. The Seven Sisters trail described by Visit Eastbourne begins at the foot of Beachy Head and reaches the Cuckmere River. These cliffs and coastal places connect an Eastbourne walking memory with a different landscape from Grand Parade.

Gift ideas: browse the Eastbourne artwork in this collection and compare the individual designs before picking a format. For a former home or a place where you stayed, the Where It Happened map print lets you choose the location that matters. Also explore Eastbourne - Come On Then, Eastbourne - Still Here, East Sussex.