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{{short description|Town in Sussex, England}}
{{about|the town in Sussex|other uses}}
{{Good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use British English|date=August 2011}}▼
▲{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox settlement
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|image6=Eastbourne Pier (geograph 6518158).jpg
|image5=Eastbourne Town Hall (geograph 6729416).jpg
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|image2=Eastbourne railway station - geograph.org.uk - 1396096.jpg
|image1=Beach huts - Eastbourne - geograph.org.uk - 2375843.jpg }}
| image_caption = Beach huts on the front, the main [[Eastbourne railway station|railway station]], historic [[Eastbourne Bandstand|bandstand]], Sovereign Harbour, [[Eastbourne Town Hall|town hall]] and the [[Eastbourne Pier|pier]]
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<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk/media/s1nkbbox/2021-census-ethnicity-language-and-religion-briefing.pdf|title=Ethnicity, Language and Religion|website=East Sussex council|date=2021|accessdate=15 August 2024}}</ref>
▲| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
▲| demographics1_info1 =
{{Collapsible list▼
| 90.8% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
|{{Tree list}}
** 82.1% [[White British]]
{{Tree list/end}}
| 3.5% [[British Asians|Asian]]
| 2.8% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
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| 1.3% [[Black British people|Black]]
}}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis" />
▲| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
▲| demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| 45.9% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
| 43.2% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
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| 0.2% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
| 0.1% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
}}
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<!-- Elements common to administrative division of this type (English two-tier district) -->| other_name = Borough of Eastbourne
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'''Eastbourne''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-uk-Eastbourne.ogg|ˈ|iː|s|t|b|ɔr|n}}) is a town and seaside resort in [[East Sussex]], on the south coast of England, {{convert|19|mi|km}} east of [[Brighton]] and {{convert|54|mi|km}} south of London. It is also a [[non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]]. Eastbourne is immediately east of [[Beachy Head]], the highest chalk sea cliff in Great Britain and part of the larger [[Eastbourne Downland Estate]].
The seafront consists largely of [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] hotels, a [[Eastbourne Pier|pier]], [[Congress Theatre (Eastbourne)|theatre]], [[Towner Gallery|contemporary art gallery]] and a [[Napoleonic era|Napoleonic]] era [[Eastbourne Redoubt|fort and military museum]]. Although Eastbourne is a relatively new town, there is evidence of human occupation in the area from the [[Stone Age]]. The town grew as a fashionable tourist resort largely thanks to prominent landowner [[William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire|William Cavendish]], later to become the [[Duke of Devonshire]]. Cavendish appointed architect Henry Currey to design a street plan for the town, but not before sending him to Europe to draw inspiration. The resulting mix of architecture is typically [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] and remains a key feature of Eastbourne.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eastbourne's story|url=http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=226&type=full&servicetype=Inline|publisher=Eastbourne Borough Council|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928031242/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=226&type=full&servicetype=Inline|archive-date=28 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
As a seaside resort, Eastbourne derives a large and increasing income from tourism, with revenue from traditional seaside attractions augmented by conferences, public events and cultural sightseeing. The other main industries in Eastbourne include trade and retail, healthcare, education, construction, manufacturing, professional scientific and the technical sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/index.jsp?catalog=http%3A%2F%2Fesfigures01s.escc.gov.uk%3A80%2Fobj%2FfCatalog%2FCatalog54&submode=catalog&mode=documentation&top=yes|work=2011 Census, Office for National Statistics|title=East Sussex in Figures, Economy profile for Eastbourne, Business by industrial sector in 2012|publisher=East Sussex County Council|access-date=24 January 2013|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005024600/http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/index.jsp?catalog=http%3A%2F%2Fesfigures01s.escc.gov.uk%3A80%2Fobj%2FfCatalog%2FCatalog54&submode=catalog&mode=documentation&top=yes|url-status=live}}</ref>
Eastbourne's population is growing; between 2001 and 2011, it increased from 89,800 to 99,412. The 2011 census shows that the average age of residents has decreased as the town has attracted students, families and those commuting to [[London]] and Brighton.<ref>{{cite web |title=
== History ==
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There are [[Roman Britain|Roman]] remains buried beneath the town, such as a Roman bath and section of pavement between Eastbourne Pier and the Redoubt Fortress. There is also a Roman villa near the entrance to the Pier and the present Queens Hotel.<ref name=WRIGHT>{{Citation|last=Wright|first=J C|title=Bygone Eastbourne|place=Eastbourne|publisher=Spottiswoode|year=1902}}</ref>
In 1953, [[Beachy Head Lady|skeletal remains of a woman]] who lived around 245{{nbsp}}AD were discovered in the vicinity of [[Beachy Head]] on the [[Eastbourne Downland Estate]]. The remains were found in 2014 to be of a 30-year-old woman who grew up in [[East Sussex]], but had genetic heritage from sub-Saharan Africa, giving her black skin and an African skeletal structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-25962183|title=Centuries old woman's face revealed|date=1 February 2014|access-date=28 January 2018|website=Bbc.co.uk|archive-date=1 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101073718/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-25962183|url-status=live}}</ref> Her ancestors came from below the Saharan region, at a time when the Roman Empire extended only as far as North Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art474162-beachy-head-lady-was-young-sub-saharan-roman-with-good-teeth-say-archaeologists|title=Beachy Head Lady was young sub-Saharan Roman with good teeth, say archaeologists|website=Culture24.org.uk|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130032513/http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art474162-beachy-head-lady-was-young-sub-saharan-roman-with-good-teeth-say-archaeologists|url-status=live}}</ref> These remains have now been DNA tested and found to originate from [[Cyprus]], not sub-Saharan Africa.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Seaman |first1=Jo |title=The mystery of Beachy Head Lady |url=https://museumcrush.org/the-mystery-of-beachy-head-lady-a-roman-african-from-eastbourne/ |website=Museum Crush |access-date=26 November 2022 |orig-date=5 April 2018 |date=23 August 2022 |quote=DNA analysis has since concluded that that although she grew up in Eastbourne, the place of her ancestry is in Southern Europe – most likely Cyprus.}}</ref>
=== Anglo-Saxon era ===
An [[Sub-Roman Britain|Anglo-Saxon]] charter, around 963
The original name came from the 'Burne' or stream which ran through today's Old Town area of Eastbourne. All that can be seen of the Burne, or Bourne, is the small pond in Motcombe Gardens. The bubbling source is guarded by a statue of [[Neptune]].<ref name="eastbourne.gov.uk">{{Cite web |url=http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-events/art-culture/family-local-history/eastbourne/ |title=History of Eastbourne |access-date=12 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625115944/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-events/art-culture/family-local-history/eastbourne/ |archive-date=25 June 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Motcombe Gardens are overlooked by St. Mary's Church, a Norman church which allegedly lies on the site of a Saxon 'moot', or meeting place. This gives Motcombe its name.
In 2014, local metal-detectorist Darrin Simpson found a coin minted during the reign of [[Æthelberht II of East Anglia]] (died 794), in a field near the town. It is believed that the minting of these coins may have led to Æthelberht's beheading by [[Offa of Mercia]], as it had been struck as a sign of independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27485772 |title='Unique' Anglo-Saxon coin could give royal murder clue |work=BBC News |date=20 May 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |archive-date=20 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520234546/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27485772 |url-status=live }}</ref> Describing the coin, expert Christopher Webb, said, "This new discovery is an important and unexpected addition to the numismatic history of eighth century England."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local/anglo-saxon-coin-goes-for-78-000-at-london-auction-1-6116507 |title=Anglo-Saxon coin goes for £78,000 at London auction |newspaper=[[Eastbourne Herald]] |access-date=14 June 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235603/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local/anglo-saxon-coin-goes-for-78-000-at-london-auction-1-6116507 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Norman era ===
Following the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman conquest]], the [[Hundred (country subdivision)|Hundred]] of what is now Eastbourne, was held by [[Robert, Count of Mortain]], [[William
The Book referred to the area as 'Borne'. 'East' was added to 'Borne' in the 13th century, renaming the town.<ref name="eastbourne.gov.uk" />
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=== Medieval era ===
A charter for a weekly market was granted to Bartholomew de Badlesmere in 1315–16; this increased his status as Lord of the Manor and benefited local industry.<ref name=STEVENSSHE>{{harvnb|Stevens|1987}}</ref> During the Middle Ages the town was visited by [[Henry I of England|King Henry
In the mid-16th century Bourne Place was home to the Burton family,<ref name=BMA>{{Citation|title=The book of Eastbourne|publisher=Produced for the 99th annual meeting of the British Medical Association|year=1931|location=Eastbourne}}</ref> who acquired much of the land on which the present town stands. This manor house is currently owned by the [[Duke of Devonshire]] and was extensively remodelled in the early [[Georgian era]] when it was renamed [[Compton Place]]. It is one of the two Grade I [[listed buildings]] in the town.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=51326&type=full&servicetype=Inline | title = Listed Buildings | access-date = 12 July 2011 | date = July 2004 | work = Eastbourne Townscape Guide | publisher = Eastbourne Borough Council | archive-date = 2 September 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120902065014/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=51326&type=full&servicetype=Inline | url-status = live }}</ref>
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Eastbourne's earliest claim as a seaside resort came about following a summer holiday visit by four of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]]'s children in 1780 (Princes [[Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn|Edward]] and [[Prince Octavius of Great Britain|Octavius]] and Princesses [[Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth]] and [[Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom|Sophia]]).<ref>{{Citation|last=Royer ''(attrib.)''|first=James.|title=East-bourne and its Environs|year=1787}}</ref>
In 1793, following a survey of coastal defences in the southeast, approval was given for the positioning of infantry and artillery to defend the bay between Beachy Head and Hastings from attack by the French. Fourteen [[Martello Tower]]s were constructed along the western shore of [[Pevensey Bay]], continuing as far as Tower
A connection with India comes in the shape of the 18th-century Lushington monument, also at St
[[Richard Trevithick]], the inventor of the steam locomotive, is reported to have spent some time here.<ref>Arthur Mee, editor, ''King's England: Sussex'' 1930s edition</ref>
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[[File:Motcombe Gardens.jpg|thumb|upright|Bourne Stream running through Motcombe Gardens]]
Eastbourne remained an area of small rural settlements until the 19th
=== Victorian era ===
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An early plan, for a town named Burlington, was abandoned, but on 14 May 1849 the [[London, Brighton and South Coast Railway]] arrived to scenes of great jubilation. With the arrival of the railway, the town's growth accelerated.
Cavendish, now the 7th
=== 20th century ===
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The [[Second World War]] saw a change in fortunes.<ref name=OCKENDEN /> Initially, children were evacuated to Eastbourne on the assumption that they would be safe from German bombs, but soon they had to be evacuated again because after the [[Battle of France|fall of France]] in June 1940 it was anticipated that the town would lie in an invasion zone.<ref>{{harvnb|Stevens|1987|p=28}}</ref> Part of [[Operation Sea Lion]], the German invasion plan, envisaged landings at Eastbourne.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Ramsey | first1 = Winston G. | title = The Blitz – Then and Now | volume = 1 |editor= Winston G. Ramsey |editor2=Gordon Ramsey | publisher=After the Battle | year = 1987 | page = 294 | isbn = 978-0-900913-45-7}}</ref> Many people sought safety away from the coast and shut up their houses.<ref name=OCKENDEN /> Restrictions on visitors forced the closure of most hotels, and private boarding schools moved away.<ref name=OCKENDEN /> Many of these empty buildings were later taken over by the services.<ref name=OCKENDEN /> The [[Royal Navy]] set up an underwater weapons school,<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Allom | first1 = VM | title = Ex Oriente Salus – A Centenary History of Eastbourne College | chapter = 18 | publisher=Eastbourne College | year = 1966 | location = Eastbourne | page = 122 }}</ref> and the [[Royal Air Force]] operated radar stations at Beachy Head<ref name=SURTEES /> and on the marshes near [[Pevensey]].<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Mason | first1 = Francis K | title = Battle over Britain | chapter = 4 | publisher=McWhirter Twins | year = 1969 | location = London | page = 95 | quote = The Awakening}}</ref> Thousands of [[Canadian Army|Canadian soldiers]] were billeted in and around Eastbourne from July 1941 to the run-up to [[D-Day]].<ref name=OCKENDEN>{{Citation|last=Ockenden|first=Michael|title=Canucks by the Sea|place=Eastbourne|publisher=Eastbourne Local History Society|year=2006|isbn=978-0-9547647-1-5}}</ref> Units of the very secretive and highly effective No. 3 (Jewish) Troop of the [[No.10 (Inter-Allied) Commando|No. 10 Commando]], composed of native German speaking Austrian and German Jewish refugees, trained in Eastbourne.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/no-3-jewish-troop-of-the-no-10-commando | title=No. 3 (Jewish) Troop of the No. 10 Commando }}</ref> The town suffered badly during the war, with many Victorian and Edwardian buildings damaged or destroyed by air raids. Indeed, by the end of the conflict it was designated by the Home Office to have been 'the most raided town in the South East region'.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Burgess | first1 = Pat | last2 = Saunders | first2 = Andy | title = Bombers over Sussex | publisher=Middleton Press | year = 1995 | location = Midhurst | page = 48 | isbn = 978-1-873793-51-0}}</ref> The situation was especially bad between May 1942 and June 1943 with hit–and–run raids from fighter–bombers based in northern France.<ref name=HUMPHREY>{{Citation|last=Humphrey|first=George|title=Wartime Eastbourne|place=Eastbourne|publisher=Beckett Features|year=1989|isbn=978-1-871986-00-6}}</ref> Ultimately, 187 civilian people died in the borough through enemy action.<ref>{{cite web|title=Eastbourne Country Borough, with list of casualties|url=http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/4004821/EASTBOURNE,%20COUNTY%20BOROUGH|publisher=[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]]|access-date=22 February 2019|archive-date=23 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074405/https://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/4004821/EASTBOURNE,%20COUNTY%20BOROUGH|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the summer of 1956, the town came to national and worldwide attention
[[File:Eastbourne from Lord G. Cavendish's Seat in the Park by John Nixon.jpg|thumb|right|''Eastbourne from Lord [[George Cavendish, 1st Earl of Burlington|G. Cavendish]]'s Seat in the Park'', John Nixon, 1787]]
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Eastbourne Local History Society was founded in 1970. It is a charitable, [[not-for-profit]] organisation in the United Kingdom whose objective is the pursuit and encouragement of an active interest in the study of the history of Eastbourne and its immediate environs and the dissemination of the outcome of such studies.<ref>{{Citation|title=Eastbourne Local History Society|url=http://www.eastbournehistory.org.uk/|access-date=11 February 2010|archive-date=29 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829084906/http://www.eastbournehistory.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title= Local history societies in Sussex|publisher= The Local History Press Ltd|url= http://www.local-history.co.uk/Groups/sussex.html|access-date= 11 February 2010|archive-date= 19 June 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100619120200/http://www.local-history.co.uk/Groups/sussex.html|url-status= live}}</ref>
As the major landowner, the Cavendish family has had strong connections with Eastbourne since the 18th century. The current
Containing over 1,500 articles about the history of Eastbourne, the Society's indexed journal, ''The Eastbourne Local Historian'', is the major historical resource for the town and has been published quarterly since its inception in 1970.<ref>{{Citation|title=Local Resources|publisher=Eastbourne Borough Council|url=http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/eastbourne/history/family-history/local-resources/|access-date=11 February 2010|archive-date=22 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222151223/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/eastbourne/history/family-history/local-resources/|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the years, the Society has published various books and booklets about the history of Eastbourne, twelve of which are currently in print.
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* ''[[Sovereign Harbour]]'': North Harbour, South Harbour, Langney Point
There was a community known as Norway, Eastbourne in the triangle now bounded by Wartling Road, Seaside and Lottbridge Drove. The name being a corruption of North Way,<ref name=ORIGINS>{{Citation|last=Milton|first=John T.|title=Origins of Eastbourne's Street Names|place=Eastbourne|publisher=Eastbourne Local History Society|year=1995|edition=pamphlet|isbn=978-0-9504560-6-5}}</ref> as this was the route to the north. The area is now a housing estate and the only evidence there was a Norway are a Norway Road and the local church whose sign reads "St
The former fishing [[hamlet (place)|hamlet]] of [[Holywell, Eastbourne|Holywell]] (local pronunciation 'holly well') was situated by the cliff on a ledge some 400 yards to the southwest of the public garden known as the Holywell Retreat. It was approached from what is now Holywell Road via the lane between the present Helen Gardens and [[Bede's School, Eastbourne|Bede's School]], which leads to the chalk pinnacle formerly known locally as 'Gibraltar' or the 'Sugar Loaf'.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jun/28/keithperry|title=Five teenagers hurt as car plunges over 150ft cliff|first=Keith|last=Perry|date=28 June 2000|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824181116/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jun/28/keithperry|url-status=live}}</ref> The ground around the pinnacle was the site of [[lime kiln]]s also worked by the fishermen.<ref name=ELHS31>{{cite magazine|magazine=Eastbourne Local History Society Newsletter|title=Lime kilns|date=March 1979|issue=31}}</ref> The fishing hamlet at Holywell was taken over by the local water board in 1896<ref name=FRITHIM /> to exploit the springs in the cliffs. The water board's successors still own the site, and there is a pumping station but little evidence of the hamlet itself, as by now even most of the foundations of the cottages have gone over the cliff.<ref name=ELHS91>{{cite magazine|magazine=Eastbourne Local History Society Newsletter|title=Holywell|date=March 1979|issue=91}}</ref>
=== Climate ===
As with the rest of the [[British Isles]] and South Coast, Eastbourne experiences a [[maritime climate]] with warm summers and mild winters. The local climate is notable for its high sunshine levels, at least relative to much of the rest of England – Eastbourne holds the UK record for the highest recorded amount of sunshine in a month, 383.9
{{Weather box|location = Eastbourne 7 m asl, 1991–2020, Extremes 1960–
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The [[Eastbourne (UK Parliament constituency)|Parliament Constituency of Eastbourne]] has always covered a greater area than the borough's nine wards, but due to population growth in the town, it has lost territory over time. At present the constituency includes all of the borough as well as the suburb of [[Willingdon, East Sussex|Willingdon]].
Eastbourne is a [[marginal seat]] currently represented by the [[
== Demography ==
Eastbourne is the second largest district or borough in East Sussex with an official resident population of 101,700 in the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], an increase of 2.3% over the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000061/|title=How life has changed in Eastbourne: Census 2021|date=19 January 2023|accessdate=9 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/streamServerFile.jsp?file=/nesstar/temp/EGMS20121206121916815/Eastbourne%202001%20Census%20Summary%20Profile.pdf&server=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk:80|title= 2001 CENSUS – SUMMARY PROFILE FOR EASTBOURNE|date=2001|accessdate=9 September 2023}}</ref> Previously the population of Eastbourne grew (between 2001 and 2011) from 89,667 to 99,400.<ref name="auto"/>
The average age of residents has dropped in recent years as younger people move into the town and young family households have started to balance retirement communities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/town_population_s_age_profile_drops_1_1416162 |title=Town population's age profile drops – Local News |website=Eastbourne Herald |year=2011 |access-date=19 July 2011 |archive-date=23 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123022839/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local-news/town_population_s_age_profile_drops_1_1416162 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, 54% of residents were between 20 and 64, while 24% were over 65 years old, and there was an average age of 43. In 2013, the [[Office for National Statistics]] named an area in Meads as the first place in the UK to have an average resident age exceeding 70, with an average age of 71.1, compared with a national average age of 39.7.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-24593911|title=District has 'highest average age'|date=19 October 2013|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427054146/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-24593911|url-status=live}}</ref>
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===Ethnic groups===
Ethnically, the 2021 census showed the town was 90.8% [[White people|White]], including 82.1% [[White British]] and 7.7% [[Other White]], down from 94.1% in 2011 and 96.6% in 2001 census.<ref name="Eastbourne borough area profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk/area-profiles/eastbourne-borough-area-profile/#:~:text=Data%20from%20the%202021%20census,%25)%20and%20England%20(6.5%25).|title= Eastbourne borough area profile |accessdate=9 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk/webview/streamServerFile.jsp?file=/nesstar/temp/EGMS20121206121916815/Eastbourne%202001%20Census%20Summary%20Profile.pdf&server=http://www.eastsussexinfigures.org.uk:80|title= 2001 CENSUS – SUMMARY PROFILE FOR EASTBOURNE Population Eastbourne East Sussex South East England & Wales Social character|accessdate=24 January 2024}}</ref> [[British Asians|Asian]] people were 3.5% (up from 2.8% in 2011), 2.8% were mixed or multiple ethnic groups, 1.3% were Black,
===Birthplace===
In 2021, Eastbourne had residents from a range of birthplaces, with 82.4% born in England (down from 85.2% in 2011 census). Other notable groups of people include [[Poland]] (1.5%), [[Scotland]] (1.3%), [[Portugal]] (1.1%), other EU countries (1.2%) that joined since 2001 to 2011.<ref name="auto"/>
The 2001 UK Census indicated that the largest non-white ethnic group at the time was Chinese. Studies conducted by the local council in 2008 reflected growth in new residents from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=36407&type=full&servicetype=Inline|title=Race Equality Scheme 2009–2012|page=8|publisher=Eastbourne Borough Council|access-date=19 July 2011|archive-date=28 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928031427/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=36407&type=full&servicetype=Inline|url-status=live}}</ref>
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Other recreation facilities include two swimming pools, three fitness centres and other smaller sports clubs including [[scuba diving]].
A children's adventure park is sited at the eastern end of the seafront. There are various other establishments scattered around the town such as [[crazy golf]], [[Kart racing|go–karting]] and [[Laser Quest]]. The pier is an obvious place to visit and is sometimes used to hold events, such as the international [[Birdman Rally|birdman]] competition held annually, although this was cancelled in 2005 due to a lack of competitors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4722897.stm|work=BBC News |title=No 'birds' means Birdman scrapped|date=28 July 2005|access-date=24 June 2007}}</ref> An annual raft competition used to take place where competitors, usually local businesses, circumnavigate the pier in a raft made by themselves, while being attacked by a water-cannon.<ref>{{
A major event in the tourist programme of [[Eastbourne Borough Council]] is [[Eastbourne Airbourne]], a large air show, held annually in August.
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=== Towner Art Gallery ===
The [[Towner Art Gallery]] is Eastbourne's principal arts gallery and arts education hub. After being located for many years in Eastbourne Manor House, within Gildredge Park, it relocated next to the Congress Theatre in 2009. The gallery holds one of the most important collections of public art in southern England. The venue
=== Theatres ===
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=== Media ===
The local radio station [[Seahaven FM]]
Regional radio stations, [[Heart South]], (previously Southern FM) has, since mid 2019, been networked from London and no longer has a [[Sussex]] base, which was previously in [[Portslade]] and [[BBC Radio Sussex]] which broadcasts from [[Brighton]].
[[BBC]] ''[[South East Today]]'' and ''[[ITV News Meridian]]'' are the two regional news channels.
Eastbourne has a local weekly tabloid newspaper, which is published every Friday, called The [[Eastbourne Herald]] (know locally as The Herald). Eastbourne is also served by Eastbourne Scoop,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eastbourne Scoop - Local news and events in Eastbourne, East Sussex|url=https://www.eastbournescoop.co.uk/|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Eastbourne Scoop|language=en-GB}}</ref> a weekly online-only media publication. A monthly free newspaper [https://eastsussex.news/eastbourne Eastbourne News] began publishing in June 2024, with a distribution of 15,000 copies from local supermarkets and other outlets.
=== Depictions in popular culture ===
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Television too has used Eastbourne as a backdrop. The series ''[[Little Britain (sketch show)|Little Britain]]'' had the character [[Emily Howard (Little Britain)|Emily Howard]] strolling along the promenade. Other brief appearances were made in the television series ''[[Agatha Christie's Marple]]'', ''[[The Two Ronnies]]'', ''[[French and Saunders]]'' and ''[[Foyle's War]]''. A sequence of sketches that appear in each episode of ''[[Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer]]'', was shot in the old Jo Pip's / Cunninghams theatre venue on Seaside Road, which has since been developed into flats. The 1993 BBC drama series ''[[Westbeach]]'' was filmed on location in Eastbourne and surrounding areas. In 2021 Netflix series [[The Crown (TV series)|''The Crown'']] filmed an episode in the town and surrounding areas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hit Netflix drama The Crown wraps shooting for season five in Sussex town|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/19756155.hit-netflix-drama-crown-wraps-shooting-season-five-eastbourne/|access-date=6 December 2021|website=The Argus|date=2 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
Eastbourne features in the ghost story ''Owen Wingrave'' by American novelist [[Henry James]].<ref>{{
The elderly female residents of Eastbourne were the inspiration for the song "Eastbourne Ladies" by English singer [[Kevin Coyne]], which appeared on his 1973 album ''[[Marjory Razorblade]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tracks/nn3r4c|title=Eastbourne Ladies – Kevin Coyne Song – BBC Music|website=BBC|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330022129/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/tracks/nn3r4c|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5qvh |title=Music – Review of Kevin Coyne – Marjory Razorblade |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 August 2014 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925111335/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/5qvh |url-status=live }}</ref>
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Eastbourne has numerous parks and gardens, although there are several smaller open spaces including Upperton Gardens, the Carpet Gardens and the Western Lawns. The first public park in Eastbourne was Hampden Park, originally owned by Lord Willingdon and opened on 12 August 1902.<ref name=BMA /> Facilities include: football pitches, rugby club, indoor bowls, a large lake (formerly a [[Decoy]] pond), lakeside cafe, children's recreation area, tennis courts, [[BMX]] and skate facility, [[disc golf]] course (target) and woodland. The largest and newest park is Shinewater Park, located on the west side of Langney and opened in 2002. There is a large fishing lake, basketball, football pitches, a BMX and skate park and children's playground.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/parks/parks/shinewater-park/ | title = Shinewater Park | access-date = 24 December 2011 | archive-date = 4 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120104121009/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/leisure/parks/parks/shinewater-park/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
Gildredge Park is a large open park located between the town centre and Old Town; it is popular with families and has a children's playground, cafe, tennis courts, [[disc golf]] course (target) and bowls lawns. The smaller, adjoining, Manor Gardens combines both lawns and shady areas as well as a rose garden. Until 2005, Manor Gardens was the home of the [[Towner Gallery]]. This gallery incorporated a permanent exhibition of local art and historical items, plus temporary art exhibitions of regional and national significance. It was relocated to a new, £8.6 million purpose-built facility adjacent to the Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park which opened on 4 April 2009.<ref>{{
Princes Park obtained its name during a visit by the Duke of Windsor as Prince of Wales in 1931.<ref name=ORIGINS /> Located at the eastern end of the seafront, it has a children's playground with paddling pool, cafe, bowls and a large lake, noted for its swans. The lake is used by a nearby water-sports centre, which offers kayak and windsurfing training. Princes Park lake is also home to Eastbourne Model Powerboat Club<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.empbc.org.uk/ | title = Welcome to Eastbourne Model Powerboat Club Web Site | access-date = 15 May 2010 | publisher = Eastbourne Model Powerboat Club | archive-date = 26 April 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100426021635/http://www.empbc.org.uk/ | url-status = live }}</ref> and Eastbourne Model Yacht Club.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.edmyc.org.uk/ | title = Eastbourne and District Model Yacht Club | access-date = 15 May 2010 | archive-date = 22 January 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100122090121/http://www.edmyc.org.uk/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Close by are tennis and basketball courts and a football pitch. At the north of the park is the Oval, home of [[Eastbourne United Association F.C.|Eastbourne United F.C.]] On 21 July 2018, the park hosted the town's second LGBTQ+ Pride event which was attended by over 4,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thousands celebrate Eastbourne Pride|url=https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/thousands-celebrate-eastbourne-pride-274351|access-date=20 August 2020|website=www.eastbourneherald.co.uk|language=en|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123005730/https://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/thousands-celebrate-eastbourne-pride-274351|url-status=live}}</ref>
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Eastbourne's Devonshire Park is the venue for the [[Eastbourne International]], a tennis tournament held in the town since 1974 and serving as a warm-up to [[Wimbledon championships|Wimbledon]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qjazXY83tG4C&q=wimbledon+warm-up+event+eastbourne&pg=PA23 |title=International Perspectives of Festivals and Events |page=23 |author1=Jane Ali-Knight |author2=Martin Robertson |author3=Alan Fyall |publisher=Elsevier |year=2008 |access-date=11 July 2011 |isbn=978-0-08-045100-8 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123005830/https://books.google.com/books?id=qjazXY83tG4C&q=wimbledon+warm-up+event+eastbourne&pg=PA23 |url-status=live }}</ref> Previously a women only tournament, in 2009 the [[Lawn Tennis Association]] merged it with the men only event the [[ATP Nottingham|Nottingham Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/eastbourne/tourism/tennis/merged-tennis-events|title=Men and Women's Tennis Merged Events|publisher=Eastbourne Borough Council|access-date=18 May 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080612172506/http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/eastbourne/tourism/tennis/merged-tennis-events |archive-date = 12 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Eastbourne has three senior football clubs: [[Eastbourne Borough F.C.]] play in the [[
[[Eastbourne Eagles]] are a [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]] club located at Arlington Stadium, just outside the town. Between 1997 and 2014, they competed in the [[Elite League (speedway)|Elite League]], the highest level of speedway in the UK. They were champions in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.speedwaygb.co/history/leaguetables2000.php |title= Speedway GB League Tables 2000 |year= 2015 |access-date= 22 June 2015 |archive-date= 22 June 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150622202230/http://www.speedwaygb.co/history/leaguetables2000.php |url-status= live }}</ref> They now compete in the [[National League (speedway)|National League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbourneeagles.co/ |title=Eastbourne Eagles |website=Eastbourneeagles.co |year=2014 |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427034639/http://www.eastbourneeagles.co/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Arlington stadium also sees [[stock-car racing]] on Wednesday evenings in the summer months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spedeworth.co.uk/venue.php?name=eastbourne |title=Spedeworth Motorsports – Eastbourne |website=Spedeworth.co.uk |year=2014 |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427082659/http://www.spedeworth.co.uk/venue.php?name=eastbourne |url-status=live }}</ref>
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=== Eastbourne Pier ===
{{Main|Eastbourne Pier}}
Eastbourne Pier was built between 1866 and 1872 at the junction of Grand and Marine Parades. The pier interrupts what would otherwise have been a ribbon development of buildings – to the west, high-class hotels, with modest family hotels and boarding houses to the east.<ref name="crook10">{{cite magazine |title=Eastbourne Pier – Past, present and future|magazine=The Eastbourne Society Observer|date=Spring 2010|first=Richard|last=Crook|issue=182|page=10}}</ref> The Eastbourne Pier Company was registered in April 1865 with a capital of £15,000<ref>{{cite book | last = Surtees | first = Dr John | title = Eastbourne – a history | publisher=Phillimore | year = 2002 | location = Chichester | page = 134 |isbn = 978-1-86077-226-9 }}</ref> and on 18 April 1866 work began. It was opened by [[Lord Edward Cavendish]] on 13 June 1870, although it was not actually completed until two years later. On New Year's Day 1877 the landward half was swept away in a storm. It was rebuilt at a higher level, creating a drop towards the end of the pier. The pier is effectively built on stilts that rest in cups on the sea-bed allowing the whole structure to move during rough weather. It is roughly 300
==== Eastbourne Pier fire ====
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== Education ==
Eastbourne's reputation for health, enhanced by bracing air and sea breezes contributed to the establishment of many independent schools in the 19th century and in 1871,<ref name=PETRIECAREW>{{Citation|last=Petrie Carew|first=Dorothea|title=Many Years Many Girls|place=Dublin|publisher=The Author|year=1967}}</ref> the year which saw the arrival of Queenwood Ladies College, the town was just beginning a period of growth and prosperity.<ref name= PETRIECAREW /> By 1896, Gowland's Eastbourne Directory listed 76
In 1930, the headmistress of [[Clovelly-Kepplestone]], a well-established boarding school for girls, referred to "heavy financial losses experienced by schools in the past few years".<ref name="ReferenceA" /> In 1930, this school was forced to merge its junior and senior departments; in 1931, one of its buildings was sold off, and in 1934 the school closed altogether. Finally, indicative of the changes that would later befall many of the larger buildings in the town,<ref>{{cite magazine | title = The First Years (30th anniversary publication) | magazine=Eastbourne Civic Society – the First Years | year = 1991}}</ref> the school was demolished to make way for a block of flats, which was completed in 1939.<ref name="ReferenceA" />
The Eastbourne (Blue Book) Directory for 1938 lists 39
Eastbourne has 6 state secondary schools, 17 state primary schools, 1 primary special school and 2 secondary special schools. Parts of the [[University of Brighton]] are based in the Meads area of the town. There are several language colleges and schools, with students coming mainly from Europe.<ref name=TOURISM />
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== Health and emergency services ==
The town is served by [[Eastbourne District General Hospital]], part of [[East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust]]. As of 2014, the maternity unit of the hospital has been permanently transferred to the Conquest Hospital, Hastings after years of campaigning to save the unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esh.nhs.uk/eastbournedgh/|title=Eastbourne District General Hospital|first=Rob|last=Toth|date=13 April 2017|website=Esh.nhs.uk|access-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=12 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112114208/http://www.esh.nhs.uk/eastbournedgh/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Eastbourne Herald|date=1 August 2014|title=It's over! One man's vote kills campaign|quote=The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee chairman Coun Mike Ensor cast his deciding vote after the committee voted 6-6 on a vote to determine that the single site for East Sussex maternity would be at Hastings, thus closing the Eastbourne Maternity Unit.}}</ref> An earlier hospital, St
Eastbourne Blind Society was founded in 1923, with a centre opened on Longstone Road in 1963. In 2018 the society had almost 800 members.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbourneblindsociety.org.uk/About_Us.html|title=Eastbourne Blind Society|website=Eastbourneblindsociety.org.uk|access-date=28 January 2018 |archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140550/http://www.eastbourneblindsociety.org.uk/About_Us.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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As well as the medieval parish church of St Mary in Old Town, another church building in Eastbourne is the redbrick [[St Saviour's Church, Eastbourne|St Saviour's and St Peter's]]. Originally consecrated under the former name in 1872, it was designed by [[George Edmund Street]]<ref>{{harvnb|Stevens|1987|p=20}}</ref> but merged with St Peter's in 1971 when the latter was made redundant and demolished. The [[Our Lady of Ransom Church, Eastbourne|Catholic Church of Our Lady of Ransom]] is a generously proportioned building with a tall Gothic interior.<ref>Joan Kennedy, ''Our Lady of Ransom, in Gratitude and Hope'', Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church, Eastbourne, 2001.</ref> One of the windows commemorates the exiled Polish-Lithuanian nobleman, Prince Lev Sapieha, who lived in the town,<ref>''The Coat of Arms'' magazine, N.S. Volume XI, No. 172, Winter 1995, p. 174</ref> and there is much other artwork in the building. The recently formed{{when|date=September 2020}} [[Personal Ordinariate]] of Anglicans reconciled to the Catholic Church meets at St Agnes, another Victorian Gothic building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dabnet.org/Resources/DABNet/English%20Heritage%20Reports%20Extracts/Eastbourne%20St%20Agnes%20EH.pdf |title=St Agnes, Eastbourne |access-date=26 December 2011 |year=2005 |work=English Heritage Review of Churches in Diocese |publisher=English Heritage |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104151811/http://www.dabnet.org/Resources/DABNet/English%20Heritage%20Reports%20Extracts/Eastbourne%20St%20Agnes%20EH.pdf |archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref>
The tall flint tower of St
The Strict Baptist Chapel in Grove Road is an interesting building, despite its rather grim street frontage. The United Reformed Church in Upperton Road has tall rogue Gothic windows set in red brick walls. Several other denominations have similarly interesting church buildings,<ref>N. Pevsner, ''Buildings of England'' series: ''Sussex''</ref> including some of 20th century design, such as the Baptist Church in Eldon Road.
The copyrights of many well-known hymns and contemporary worship songs used in churches around the world were handled by Kingway's Thankyou Music of Eastbourne, also known as Integrity Music.<ref>{{Cite
There is a tradition of Judaism in Eastbourne,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/judaism_guide/guide_to_judaism/index.htm | title = Guide To Judaism | access-date = 26 December 2011 | publisher = Something Jewish | archive-date = 5 November 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111105152137/http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/judaism_guide/guide_to_judaism/index.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.jewishgen.org/JCR-UK/community/east/index.htm | title = Eastbourne Hebrew Congregation | access-date = 26 December 2011 | publisher = Jewish Gen | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718075341/http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/east/index.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> and a Jewish rest home.
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Eastbourne is connected by road to London by the [[A22 road|A22]], and to [[Brighton and Hove]] and [[Hastings]] by the nearby [[A27 road|A27]]. It is the largest town in Britain with no direct dual-carriageway link to the national motorway network (followed by Southport and Bath). The car is the most used form of transport in the town, with only 6% of journeys taken by bus; the local council transport plan aims to reduce the amount of car usage.<ref name=TRANSPORT>{{Citation|publisher=East Sussex County Council|title=Local Transport Plan 2006–2011|date=March 2006}}</ref> Bus services within Eastbourne have been provided by [[Stagecoach Group]] under the name [[Stagecoach in Eastbourne]] since November 2008, when the company acquired [[Eastbourne Buses]], a service [[municipal bus company|run by the local council]], and subsequently the independent company [[Cavendish Motor Services]].<ref name="EBusesSold">{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Eastbourne-Buses-was-sold-for.4740549.jp|title=Eastbourne Buses was sold for £4million|publisher=TR Beckett Newspapers|access-date=29 November 2008|date=27 November 2008|archive-date=19 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119224017/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Eastbourne-Buses-was-sold-for.4740549.jp|url-status=live}}</ref> Eastbourne Buses had been formed in 1903 by the County Borough of Eastbourne, who were the first local authority in the world authorised to run motor buses.<ref>{{Citation|last=Spencer|first=Dave|year=1993|title=Eastbourne Bus Story| place=Midhurst|publisher=Middleton Press|isbn=978-1-873793-17-6}}</ref> As well as local journeys within the town, Stagecoach also runs routes to [[Polegate]], [[Hailsham]], [[Royal Tunbridge Wells|Tunbridge Wells]], [[Uckfield]] and [[East Grinstead]] at various frequencies, while the two routes to [[Hastings]] via [[Bexhill-on-Sea|Bexhill]] are run by [[Stagecoach South East]] from Hastings. The other main operator into Eastbourne is [[Brighton & Hove (bus company)|Brighton & Hove]], owned by the [[Go-Ahead Group]], which runs frequent services to and from [[Brighton]] on two routes: Route 12/12A/12X via [[Seaford, East Sussex|Seaford]] and [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]], and [[Brighton & Hove Bus Regency Route|Route 28]] via [[Hailsham]] and [[Lewes]]. Limited numbers of additional buses are run by the Cuckmere Buses, and a regular [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] coach service operates daily from London's [[Victoria Coach Station]].
The main [[Eastbourne railway station|railway station]] is situated in the town centre and is served by [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]]. The present station (the town's third), designed by F. D. Bannister, dates from 1886.<ref name=SURTEES /> It was originally on what was termed the ''Eastbourne Branch''<ref>''Handbook of Stations ... on the Railways of Great Britain and Ireland'' British Transport Commission (Railway Clearing House) 1956</ref> from [[Polegate railway station|Polegate]]. There was a rarely used triangular junction between Polegate and the now-closed ''Stone Cross'' which allowed trains to bypass the Branch; the track has now been lifted. Also on the erstwhile Branch is [[Hampden Park railway station]] to the north of the town. Regular services along the coast have invariably served Eastbourne. All trains, because of the layout, have to pass through Hampden Park once in each direction. This has the effect of making the Hampden Park level crossing very busy. Indeed, it is thought to be the busiest in the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Level-crossing-warnings-at-Hampden.5915776.jp |title=Level crossing warnings at Hampden Park |date=16 December 2009 |newspaper=[[Eastbourne Herald]] |publisher=Johnston Press Digital Publishing |access-date=3 June 2010 |archive-date=23 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123055408/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Level-crossing-warnings-at-Hampden.5915776.jp |url-status=live }}</ref> Regular services are to [[London Victoria station|London Victoria]], [[Gatwick Airport]], [[Hastings]] and [[Ashford International railway station|Ashford International]] and a commuter service to Brighton. Trains leave from London Victoria to Eastbourne with a journey time of 1hr 36mins.<ref>{{Citation|title=National Rail Enquiries |url=http://nationalrail.co.uk/|publisher=Association of Train Operating Companies|access-date=1 July 2007|archive-date=1 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701070651/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref> A miniature tramway once ran a mile across "the Crumbles" (then undeveloped) from near Princes Park/Wartling Road towards Langney Point. It opened in 1954 but ceased operation in 1970, relocating to [[Seaton, Devon|Seaton]] in Devon after the owners had fallen out with the council;<ref>{{Citation|last=Harley|first=Robert J|title=Seaton and Eastbourne Tramways|publisher=Middleton Press|year=1996|location=West Sussex|isbn=978-1-873793-76-3}}</ref> it is now the [[Seaton Tramway]].
== Notable people ==
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[[Lewis Carroll]] holidayed in Eastbourne 19 times, taking lodgings in Lushington Road, where a blue plaque now marks the location of his first visit in 1877.<ref name="Eastbourne">{{cite web | title=Lewis Carroll Blue Plaque – Blue Plaque – East Sussex | website=Eastbourne | url=https://www.visiteastbourne.com/Eastbourne-Lewis-Carroll-Blue-Plaque/details/?dms=3&venue=3416336 | access-date=2017-12-23 | archive-date=24 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224042246/https://www.visiteastbourne.com/Eastbourne-Lewis-Carroll-Blue-Plaque/details/?dms=3&venue=3416336 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cooper 1998 p. 127">{{cite book | last=Cooper | first=R.M. | title=The Literary Guide & Companion to Southern England | publisher=Ohio University Press | year=1998 | isbn=978-0-8214-1225-1 | url=https://archive.org/details/literaryguidecom00coop | url-access=registration | access-date=23 December 2017 | page=[https://archive.org/details/literaryguidecom00coop/page/127 127]}}</ref>
The novelist and children's writer [[Annie Keary]] died in the town in 1879.<ref>{{cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/15216 |title=Anna Keary |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/15216 |access-date=10 July 2011 |archive-date=24 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124183628/http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/15216 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Poet [[Francis William Bourdillon]] lived in the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sussexhistory.co.uk/eastbourne-memories/eastbourne-memories%20-%200155.htm |title=Eastbourne Memories – A Victorian Perspective |publisher=sussexhistory.co.uk |access-date=24 April 2018 |archive-date=17 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317231810/http://www.sussexhistory.co.uk/eastbourne-memories/eastbourne-memories%20-%200155.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Aleister Crowley]], novelist, poet, [[occultist]] and [[mysticism|mystic]] attended Eastbourne College and later edited a chess column for the ''Eastbourne Gazette''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |title=[[The Confessions of Aleister Crowley|The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: An Autohagiography]] |year=1979 |place=London; Boston |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |isbn=0-7100-0175-4 |page=93}}</ref>▼
[[Charles Webb (author)|Charles Webb]], writer of ''[[The Graduate]]'', moved to Eastbourne with his wife in 2006.<ref>{{Citation|last=Hastings|first=David|title=An arch-seductress graduates to sequel|newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph|date=27 May 2007|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/27/wgrad27.xml|location=London|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=19 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219205140/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2007%2F05%2F27%2Fwgrad27.xml|url-status=dead}}</ref>▼
▲[[Charles Webb (author)|Charles Webb]], writer of ''[[The Graduate]]'', moved to Eastbourne with his wife in 2006
Former students at the closed [[St Cyprian's School]] include [[George Orwell]], [[Alaric Jacob]], [[E. H. W. Meyerstein]] and [[Alan Hyman (writer)|Alan Hyman]]. The biographer and historian [[Philip Ziegler]] was also a pupil, as was the music historian [[Dyneley Hussey]] and politician, historian and diarist [[Alan Clark]].
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The pianist [[Russ Conway]] was a resident for many years.<ref>{{Citation|title=Pianist Russ Conway dies|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1027037.stm|date=16 November 2000|access-date=16 July 2007|archive-date=26 May 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040526132614/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1027037.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
Dec Cluskey from the 1960s band [[The Bachelors]] is resident in Eastbourne.{{
Several bands have formed in Eastbourne, including: [[Toploader]],<ref>{{Citation|title=Toploader |publisher=Much Music |url=http://www.muchmusic.com/music/artists/bio.asp?artist=362 |access-date=1 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007100849/http://www.muchmusic.com/music/artists/bio.asp?artist=362 |archive-date=7 October 2007 }}</ref> [[Easyworld]],<ref>{{Citation| title = Easyworld |publisher=BBC Hampshire |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/music/easyworld.shtml| access-date = 1 July 2007| archive-date = 28 December 2004| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041228021524/http://www.bbc.co.uk/southampton/music/easyworld.shtml| url-status = live}}</ref> [[the Divided]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hevypetal.com/release-reviews/71/the-divided--demo-ep |title=The Divided – Demo (EP) |access-date=21 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111100154/http://hevypetal.com/release-reviews/71/the-divided--demo-ep |archive-date=11 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Roam (band)|ROAM]] and [[Mobiles (band)|Mobiles]].<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/EIGHTIES-BAND39S-ALBUM-REVIVAL.1947640.jp| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080306130124/http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/EIGHTIES-BAND39S-ALBUM-REVIVAL.1947640.jp| archive-date=6 March 2008|title=EIGHTIES BAND'S ALBUM REVIVAL|author=Annemarie Field|work=Eastbourne Today |date=28 December 2006|access-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref>
Musician
[[Spider Stacy]], member of [[The Pogues]], was born in Eastbourne in 1958.
[[David Bowie]] performed in Eastbourne several times. He included a mention of Eastbourne in his 1967 single, "[[The Laughing Gnome]]".<ref>{{
=== Scientists ===
"Darwin's Bulldog" [[Thomas Henry Huxley]] spent the last few years of his life in Eastbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/1183 |title=Thomas Henry Huxley green plaque|website=Openplaques.org|quote=This house 'Hodeslea' was built by Thomas Henry Huxley. F.R.S. 1890 he lived here 1895 |access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=17 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817211634/http://openplaques.org/plaques/1183|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
[[Frederick Gowland Hopkins]], biochemist and Nobel prizewinner, was born in Eastbourne.<ref>{{cite journal | url =https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1948.0022 | title = Frederick Gowland Hopkins 1861-1947| journal = Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society| year = 1948| volume = 6| issue = 17| pages = 115–145| doi = 10.1098/rsbm.1948.0022| s2cid = 177244789}}</ref>
[[Frederick Soddy]], radiochemist and economist, was born in Eastbourne and studied at Eastbourne College.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1921/soddy-bio.html|title=The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1921 – Frederick Soddy Biographical|publisher=Nobelprize.org|access-date=16 March 2014|archive-date=20 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220054130/http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1921/soddy-bio.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
▲"Darwin's Bulldog" [[Thomas Henry Huxley]] spent the last few years of his life in Eastbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://openplaques.org/plaques/1183 |title=Thomas Henry Huxley green plaque|website=Openplaques.org|quote=This house 'Hodeslea' was built by Thomas Henry Huxley. F.R.S. 1890 he lived here 1895 |access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=17 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817211634/http://openplaques.org/plaques/1183|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Michael Fish]], who forecast the weather for [[BBC Television]] from 1974 to 2004, was born in Eastbourne and studied at Eastbourne College.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michael-fish.com/michael-fish/file/biography.php|title=Biography of Michael Fish - MBE Hon. D.Sc. FRMetS|access-date=25 June 2020|archive-date=25 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225113713/http://www.michael-fish.com/michael-fish/file/biography.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
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The artist [[Eric Ravilious]] grew up, was educated and taught in Eastbourne.<ref name="Powers2012">{{cite book|last=Powers|first=Alan|title=Eric Ravilious: Imagined Realities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h86sbcpAROEC&pg=PA143|date=15 July 2012|publisher=Philip Wilson Publishers |isbn=978-1-78130-001-5 |page=143|access-date=30 September 2016|archive-date=4 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304065243/https://books.google.com/books?id=h86sbcpAROEC&pg=PA143|url-status=live}}</ref>
Artists [[Cedric Morris]] and [[David Kindersley]]<ref>Montague Shaw, ''David Kindersley: His work and workshop'', Cardozo Kindersley Editions, 1989, p. 9.</ref> attended St Cyprian's School.
=== Dramatic artists and comedians ===
Comedian [[Ronald Frankau]] died at Eastbourne in 1951.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f4db93a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206191634/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9f4db93a|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2017|title=Ronald Frankau|website=BFI}}</ref>
[[Vernon Dobtcheff]], [[Prunella Scales]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pickering|first=David|title=Scales, Prunella|publisher=The Museum of Broadcast Communications. |url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/scalesprune/scalesprune.htm|access-date=1 July 2007|archive-date=29 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629072345/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/scalesprune/scalesprune.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Annie Castledine]] spent the end years of her life living in and working from the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/jun/07/annie-castledine-obituary|title=Annie Castledine obituary|first=Michael|last=Coveney|date=7 June 2016|website=Theguardian.com|access-date=11 April 2019 |archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411104649/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/jun/07/annie-castledine-obituary |url-status=live}}</ref>
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Former students at St Cyprian's include the politicians [[Richard Wood, Baron Holderness|Richard Wood]], who had lost both legs in war, and [[David Ormsby-Gore, 5th Baron Harlech|David Ormsby-Gore]], later ambassador to the USA.
[[Theresa May]], a former
[[Ed Balls]], former MP [[Morley and Outwood (UK Parliament constituency)|Morley and Outwood]] and
=== Others ===
Three [[Victoria Cross]] recipients of the [[British Army]] have died at Eastbourne: Captain [[Henry Mitchell Jones]] ([[Crimean War]]) in 1916, Brigadier-General [[Edmond Costello]] ([[Siege of Malakand|Malakand Frontier War]]) in 1949 and Colonel [[James Lennox Dawson]] (World War I) in 1967.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041028141812/http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/sussex.htm Location of grave and VC medal] ''(East Sussex)''</ref> In addition, two alumni of Eastbourne College have received the VC:<ref name="GPS">Webster F.A.M., (1937), ''Our Great Public Schools'', (Butler & Tanner: London)</ref> Captain [[Henry Singleton Pennell]] ([[Tirah Campaign]], India) and [[Royal Air Force]] Group Captain [[Lionel Rees]] (World War I).
The leading evangelist Canon [[Stephen Warner]] was the vicar of Holy Trinity between 1919 and 1947.<ref>{{Cite news▼
▲[[Aleister Crowley]], [[occultist]] and [[mysticism|mystic]] attended Eastbourne College and later edited a chess column for the ''Eastbourne Gazette''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crowley |first=Aleister |title=[[The Confessions of Aleister Crowley|The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: An Autohagiography]] |year=1979 |place=London; Boston |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |isbn=0-7100-0175-4 |page=93}}</ref>
| title=Holy Trinity, Eastbourne
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▲The leading evangelist Canon [[Stephen Warner]] was the vicar of Holy Trinity between 1919 and 1947.
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{{Cite news
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[[John Bodkin Adams]], the [[general practitioner]], convicted [[fraudster]], and suspected [[serial killer]], who lived and died at Eastbourne.<ref>Robins, Jane; ''The Curious Habits of Dr Adams: A 1950s Murder Mystery'', John Murray (2013) {{isbn|978-1-84854-470-3}}</ref>
[[Douglas Bader]], who became a successful Second World War fighter pilot despite having lost both legs in a flying accident, attended Temple Grove Preparatory School in Compton Place Road.<ref>{{Citation|last=Brickhill|first=Paul|year=1954|title=Reach for the Sky: The Story of Douglas Bader DSO, DFC.|place=London|publisher=Odhams Press Ltd|isbn=978-0-00-211701-2}}</ref>
[[Percy Sillitoe]], director of [[MI5]], lived in the town in the 1950s.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Kelly's Directory | title = Directory of Eastbourne | year = 1957 | publisher=Kelly's Directories Ltd | location = London | pages = 181}}</ref>
[[Johanna Konta]], British number one tennis player and Grand Slam semi-finalist.{{
[[Henry Allingham]], briefly the world's oldest man when he died in 2009, aged 113, was a resident of the town when he was made a freeman in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4931102.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011225853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4931102.stm |title=World War I veteran honoured by home town |date=21 April 2006 |archive-date=11 October 2007 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=5 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[Olav Bjortomt]], English international quiz player, four-time world champion (2003, 2015, 2018, 2019) and three time individual European champion (2010, 2014, 2015), was born in Eastbourne.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Military figures who had been students at St Cyprian's include: [[Lashmer Whistler|General Sir Lashmer Whistler]]; [[Henry Robert Bowreman Foote|Major General Henry Foote]] VC; the submarine commander [[Rupert Lonsdale]]. Other ex-students at St Cyprian's include: the amateur jockey [[Anthony Bingham Mildmay, 2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete|Anthony Mildmay]]; [[Seymour de Lotbiniere]], one-time Director of Outside Broadcasts at the BBC; [[Jagaddipendra Narayan]], a reigning [[Maharaja]] of [[Cooch Behar]] while at the school.<ref>St Cyprian's Chronicle 1914–1930 (at Eastbourne Reference Library)</ref>
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== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy = Eastbourne|d = Q208262}}
* {{Official website|http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/ Eastbourne Borough Council}}
* [http://www.visiteastbourne.com/ Visit Eastbourne] Official tourism site
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