East Sussex
Undulating hills like those straight out of a landscape painting, heroic history and thriving seaside resorts with world-class art galleries – the East Sussex coastline is the perfect place to engage your creative senses on a short break to England's Creative Coast.
One of the best ways to experience East Sussex is on two wheels. The coastal cycle route takes you all the way from Hastings Contemporary to Towner Art Gallery - so grab your cycle helmets!
The iconic De La Warr Pavilion was the UK‘s first public building built in the Modernist style, and is a piece of art in its own right
Hastings Old Town is home to the newly reformed Hastings Contemporary gallery of modern and contemporary art, independent galleries line the picturesque seafront roads, and a thriving artistic community is just waiting to be explored
Itineraries in East Sussex
Our planned itineraries are the easiest way to discover exciting attractions and places to stay. Explore itineraries by theme, and choose which places fit your budget or length of stay...
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Featured attractions
From a self-guided trail finding 7 new outdoor artworks to expert-guided gallery tours, fabulous food spots and places to rest your head, browse our selection of days out and places to stay, and start planning your cultural escape.
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About East Sussex
Sussex and the beautiful South Downs has been inspiring artists for centuries; from John Constable and William Blake to Eric Ravilious. Enjoy a cultural escape to this stunning stretch of the shoreline, and you'll leave feeling more inspired yourself.
On the tip of the South East coast near to Beachy Head sits the charming seaside town of Eastbourne, home to the award-winning Towner Art Gallery with its three floors of galleries showcasing modern and contemporary art.
Along the coast you’ll find the tranquil resort of Bexhill-on-Sea, which emits the essence of Edwardian seaside elegance and houses the iconic De La Warr Pavilion. The Pavilion is a signature of modernist architectural design, presenting exhibitions of contemporary and 20th century British art, live performances, film and outdoor events.
A trip further east will take you to Hastings, a cosmopolitan coastal town steeped in history and renowned for the 1066 Battle. Here you’ll find the striking Hastings Contemporary gallery of modern and contemporary art, situated just a few steps from the beach and overlooking the largest fishing fleet in Europe, where you can see the town’s fisherman at work.
Close to the gallery is the picturesque Old Town where you can explore and discover an array of artist studios, galleries and antiques.
One of the best ways to soak up the culture of East Sussex is by bike. The coastal cycle route takes you all the way from Hastings Contemporary to Towner Art Gallery, via the De La Warr Pavilion where stunning views out to sea will accompany you along the way.
Getting here
Perfectly placed to the west of Kent and its continental transport links and London to the north with its international air and rail links, East Sussex is easily reachable by car and rail. Despite not having any motorways (M roads), across the county there are multiple A and B roads to get you from A to B as quickly as possible, with all the major towns and villages not without a connection. Being a popular seaside resort throughout the centuries and just 30 miles from the centre of London at points, the county is connected by the East Coastway railway line, with regular trains serving towns such as Bexhill and Hastings and more with direct trains from Ashford in Kent, London and Brighton.