Though occupied since the Stone Age, the area was rural until the 18th century when Eastbourne emerged as a premier resort.

Prominent habitues of Eastbourne's past and present include King Henry I, King Edward II, King George V, Queen Mary, Charles Dickens, Augustus Egg, Karl Marx, Claude Debussy, Professor Thomas Huxley, Roger Moore (James Bond), and Frederick Engels.

Attractions in Eastbourne

Carpet Gardens - costal floral areas

Gildredge Park - especially family oriented

Devonshire Park Theatre - Victorian architecture

Chinese State Circus - annually on rotating dates

Beachy Head - chalk cliffs