Eastbourne

A laid-back seaside resort on the south coast of England, Eastbourne is a lovely place to live and learn English.

Eastbourne is the second largest town in the English county of Sussex. It is located along the South Downs – a range of stunning chalk cliffs and hills- and is known for its sunny climate. Eastbourne has one of the highest amounts of recorded days of sunshine per year in Great Britain.

Many seaside resorts in England are highly developed, with amusement parks, promenades and entertainment along the seafront. Eastbourne is different - its seafront consists mostly of quaint Victorian hotels, and traditional seafront concerts still take place at the lovely 1935 bandstand. Eastbourne also has a good nightlife and plenty of things to do. Living and learning in this pleasant town, which is easily accessible from London, is an enjoyable and very English experience.

There’s plenty to do and see as you improve your English in Eastbourne

You can take a walk along the world famous Carpet Gardens or visit the lovely Victorian pier, which is lined with cafes, shops, night clubs and a bar. You could also treat yourself to a luxurious cream tea at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne, the only five-star luxury hotel on the British coastline.

Be sure to take a walk and picnic up to Beachy Head, which is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. Admire the beautiful white and red lighthouse at the foot of the cliffs, which was an earlier forerunner of the Belle Tout lighthouse and was built to warn the ships of the treacherous rocks in the area.

For cycling enthusiasts, a cycle path from Eastbourne to Heathfield called the Cuckoo Trail takes you on a lovely journey through the Sussex Weald.  Another beautiful walk in Eastbourne is the South Downs Way footpath, which begins to the West of the town and then runs along the stunning South Downs National Park as far as the town of Winchester in a westerly direction.

The pub scene in Eastbourne is excellent, with a number of different pubs ranging from the trendy to the traditional. Check out The Lamb, which is the oldest pub in Eastbourne in the Old Town area, and The Marine on Seaside, which also offers an excellent bar menu and restaurant.

There are plenty of opportunities for sport on land and sea in Eastbourne, which hosts a top-level women’s grass-court tennis tournament every June.

Explore more of England as you learn

Eastbourne is perfectly situated for excursions. Drusilla’s Zoo in Alfriston is one of the best small zoos in England. Located in the countryside just outside of Eastbourne, it has monkeys, penguins, pandas, meerkats and more. Another fascinating stop is the Long Man of Wilmington, which is a prehistoric chalk image of a man that was carved many centuries ago into the side of a local hill.

London is a popular day trip from Eastbourne and when you’re in the mood, the bright lights of Brighton are just a short distance away.