Visitors Guides:
Coasting along
East Sussex has over eighty kilometres of coastline, full of contrasts - wide golden sands and tiny pebble coves, medieval harbours and modern marinas, elegant promenades and wild cliff tops.
The family-friendly beaches of Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne and Brighton are well known, but there are other beaches to discover too. Miles of golden sand at Camber, award winning beaches at Pevensey Bay and Seaford and rock pools to explore at low tide at Birling Gap.
The county has a proud maritime heritage. The medieval town of Rye is now inland, but still has a harbour and a salty, seafaring atmosphere in its narrow cobbled streets. In Hastings the fishermen still dry their nets in the tall, black net huts on The Stade, and the nearby Fishermen's Museum tells their story. At Smugglers Adventure in St Clements Caves, the town's dark past is brought vividly to life.
Brighton's city style and laid-back beach life attract a young and funky crowd. There are lively cafés, bars and restaurants on the newly revamped beachfront, and bright lights and glitter on Brighton Pier. Former fishermen's arches house the Fishing Museum and the Artists' Quarter, studios where artists sell their work. Look out for dramatic sculptures and colourful mosaics along the beach too.
Eastbourne's main beach has had a stunning refurbishment, and the elegant Victorian pier has been restored. Cycle or skate along the Eastern promenade and play bowls - and boules! - at Helen Gardens. Enjoy a boat cruise to Beachy Head, or take a water taxi around Sovereign Harbour, a 65-acre marina with five harbours and waterfront shops, restaurants and pubs. In East Sussex you're never far from the sea, and all year round there's plenty to do, whatever the weather.
