7 Treasures of Eastbourne Seafront (that you won`t find or are not as good on Brighton seafront!).
Posted on: 08/12/2022By Tim Carter (Owner of Black Cat Treasure Hunts)
Living in-between Eastbourne and Brighton, it is fair to say that visitors mostly ask, "When can we go to Brighton? or exclaim, "I can`t wait to spend a day on Brighton seafront." In terms of treasure hunt groups, I would accept that Brighton is number one choice for hen party treasure hunts and most of the time for team building. However, when it comes to exploring or discovering, I don`t think you should write Eastbourne off just yet. Here are seven fun things that you will discover along Eastbourne`s seafront, but not Brighton`s...or, at least, are not as good on Brighton`s.
1. A Martello tower.
These are defensive constructions built in the early 1800`s in case Napoleon decided to invade Britain. The one on Eastbourne`s seafront is number 73 of 74 along the coast, but they stopped short of Brighton. The invasion never came, but it was effective in deterring smuggling in the town and was also the site of a naval gun battery during WWII.
2. A mileage `sculpture`.
Ok..I`m not really sure what the proper term is for these. The stone construction has pointers to a wide selection of places around the World, detailing their distance in miles from Eastbourne. I have been up and down Brighton`s seafront many times and I have not seen one of these. They are handy as a source of treasure hunt questions.
3. A bandstand.
Before you jump in and say that Brighton has a bandstand on its` seafront (and it`s a very nice looking one), I was going to say that the bandstand in Eastbourne is much bigger and more versatile. There are regular tribute bands playing during the Summer. It also has an interesting plaque about a man from Eastbourne who played in the ship`s band on The Titanic.
4. A purple hippo.
Slightly controversial choice. This miniature version was cheerfully standing near a cafe on the way to the pier. Now, it was removed for some time during Covid, but I believe it has re-appeared. Whether it has or not I will check but although Brighton is home to lots of weird and wonderful things it did not have one of these.
5. Cheeky historical markers.
Now a little bit of history connected to modern things is always interesting on a treasure hunt, but more so when there is a veiled `dig` at your near neighbour! One of Eastbourne`s history markers mention a couple of movies that were set on Eastbourne Pier. The one they are very keen to draw attention to is Brighton Rock, which could not be based on Brighton Pier because it did not look authentic enough for the era!
6. The Eastbourne Eye.
This one can be classified under `opportunistic`. The Eastbourne Eye is one of those massive rotating wheels. It is in place, just near the Martello Tower, during the Spring and Summer. Brighton used to have the Brighton Wheel, which was dispensed of in favour of the i360. I like the i360, but it also has its critics who say it is too expensive and there are those who miss the wheel. Did Eastbourne take advantage of this change of attractions in Brighton. We will never know, although Brighton does now have a wheel up in the Old Steine area (just away from the seafront) during the Christmas festival until the end of December.
7. The Redoubt Fortress.
The Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum to give it its full title is of course on the seafront as it provides further evidence of how seriously a Napoleonic attack was being taken around here. Maybe Brighton was a bit more complacent in the run up to the Prince Regent era. Proper cannons, displays, a parade ground and a nice cafe with top level Brownies are available.
Check out the azimuth sculpture nearby too.
What are your favourite attractions on Eastbourne seafront?
Check my online treasure hunt for the whole seafront in Eastbourne. Alternatively for a personalised team building or hen party treasure hunt contact me on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk
Living in-between Eastbourne and Brighton, it is fair to say that visitors mostly ask, "When can we go to Brighton? or exclaim, "I can`t wait to spend a day on Brighton seafront." In terms of treasure hunt groups, I would accept that Brighton is number one choice for hen party treasure hunts and most of the time for team building. However, when it comes to exploring or discovering, I don`t think you should write Eastbourne off just yet. Here are seven fun things that you will discover along Eastbourne`s seafront, but not Brighton`s...or, at least, are not as good on Brighton`s.
1. A Martello tower.
These are defensive constructions built in the early 1800`s in case Napoleon decided to invade Britain. The one on Eastbourne`s seafront is number 73 of 74 along the coast, but they stopped short of Brighton. The invasion never came, but it was effective in deterring smuggling in the town and was also the site of a naval gun battery during WWII.
2. A mileage `sculpture`.
Ok..I`m not really sure what the proper term is for these. The stone construction has pointers to a wide selection of places around the World, detailing their distance in miles from Eastbourne. I have been up and down Brighton`s seafront many times and I have not seen one of these. They are handy as a source of treasure hunt questions.
3. A bandstand.
Before you jump in and say that Brighton has a bandstand on its` seafront (and it`s a very nice looking one), I was going to say that the bandstand in Eastbourne is much bigger and more versatile. There are regular tribute bands playing during the Summer. It also has an interesting plaque about a man from Eastbourne who played in the ship`s band on The Titanic.
4. A purple hippo.
Slightly controversial choice. This miniature version was cheerfully standing near a cafe on the way to the pier. Now, it was removed for some time during Covid, but I believe it has re-appeared. Whether it has or not I will check but although Brighton is home to lots of weird and wonderful things it did not have one of these.
5. Cheeky historical markers.
Now a little bit of history connected to modern things is always interesting on a treasure hunt, but more so when there is a veiled `dig` at your near neighbour! One of Eastbourne`s history markers mention a couple of movies that were set on Eastbourne Pier. The one they are very keen to draw attention to is Brighton Rock, which could not be based on Brighton Pier because it did not look authentic enough for the era!
6. The Eastbourne Eye.
This one can be classified under `opportunistic`. The Eastbourne Eye is one of those massive rotating wheels. It is in place, just near the Martello Tower, during the Spring and Summer. Brighton used to have the Brighton Wheel, which was dispensed of in favour of the i360. I like the i360, but it also has its critics who say it is too expensive and there are those who miss the wheel. Did Eastbourne take advantage of this change of attractions in Brighton. We will never know, although Brighton does now have a wheel up in the Old Steine area (just away from the seafront) during the Christmas festival until the end of December.
7. The Redoubt Fortress.
The Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum to give it its full title is of course on the seafront as it provides further evidence of how seriously a Napoleonic attack was being taken around here. Maybe Brighton was a bit more complacent in the run up to the Prince Regent era. Proper cannons, displays, a parade ground and a nice cafe with top level Brownies are available.
Check out the azimuth sculpture nearby too.
What are your favourite attractions on Eastbourne seafront?
Check my online treasure hunt for the whole seafront in Eastbourne. Alternatively for a personalised team building or hen party treasure hunt contact me on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk
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