10 Family Things to Do in Eastbourne

Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway has a genuine miniature steam railway as its centrepiece, a serene lake area that’s rich with wildlife, a playground, and even a café where you can catch a bite to eat. The adventure park is nestled in the picturesque South Downs area, around 3 miles north of Eastbourne Pier. 

There’s a railway shop where you can find all kinds of steam-engine-themed souvenirs. At the lake, you can enjoy angling, with safety markers ensuring 2-metre distancing. Angling appointments must be booked in advance to ensure safety between anglers at all times.

Fort Fun is a great way to let kids run off their pent-up energy, regardless of weather conditions in Eastbourne. The theme park has plenty of crawling and climbing structures, along with an aqua and spray park to cool off on hot days. 

Fort Fun is divided into outdoor and indoor facilities, so even on rainy days, the kids are sure to have a blast climbing the outdoor jungle gym and the Diggerland sand play area. Parents can have fun with their kids at the onsite 18-hole miniature golf course and teacup rides, or relax and watch live shows by talented performers. 

The Treasure Island Adventure Park is a pirate-themed amusement park near Eastbourne Beach, offering indoor and outdoor play areas for kids of all ages. The Buccaneers Indoor Adventure consists of 2 floors with slides, zip lines, ball pits, and a separate soft play area for toddlers. 

The Long John Silver's Outdoor Adventure has a shipwreck fitted with netted walkways, bridges and zip slides. While the kids play, you can unwind in its spacious parkland and sandy beach. The Treasure Island Adventure Park also has a miniature golf course, a wading pool, and excellent food available at the Hungry Pirate’s Café.

The Eastbourne Lifeboat Museum is an interesting educational experience for kids and grown-ups of every age. It’s housed in an old 1898 boathouse and showcases the entire history and development of lifeboats since 1822. 

Several exhibits highlight specific lifeboats and the role that they have played in both maritime history and popular culture. For example, did you know that lifeboats were important to the James Bond saga? You’ll have to visit the Eastbourne Lifeboat Museum to find out how. 

The Knockhatch Adventure Park consists of a wooden castle (inside of which kids can run and play), waterslides, swings, bumper cars, and a dino-themed play area. There's even a petting zoo with a birding show featuring live owls. The kids can get up close with meerkats, learn how horses are cared for, and more. 

Prefer a more leisurely way to spend the day? You can ride boats through a manmade lake, play a game of golf, and cool down in a paddling pool. With so much on display, the Knockhatch Adventure Park is great for both adults and kids.

Teach your kids about the wonders of the universe at the Observatory Science Centre, located in a Grade II-listed historic site. They can take part in astronomy lessons to view planets and moons and learn all about the cosmos. 

While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Observatory Science Centre's gift shop for a science-themed souvenir. You can grab a bite to eat at the onsite café, where you can learn about their efforts to be ecologically responsible. The cafe uses cups and lids made with 100% recyclable and compostable plastic.

At East Sussex Falconry, you can get up close and personal with many birds of prey, including falcons, eagles, and vultures. See them fly freely across the sky and land on the arms of their trainers, who will educate you all about the birds and their habitat. 

You can even get the opportunity to fly a bird yourself – under the supervision of an expert falconer, of course. The entire experience is located in Herstmonceux Castle, a 15th-century castle that's also one of the first of its kind to be built entirely from brick.

Pevensey Levels is a 3,604-ha biological site between Bexhill-on-Sea and Hailsham in East Sussex. It's a great place to be if you’re looking for a family-friendly outdoor adventure that allows you to escape the city life and reconnect with naturs. 

This national nature reserve is a designated Nature Conservation Review site and a Special Area of Conservation. There are miles of easy trails to tackle, allowing you to see the unspoiled Pevensey Marshes. Birdwatching is very popular here – winter is an excellent time to spot short-eared owls and peregrines, while lapwings and redshanks are common in spring. 

The Pevensey Court House Museum and Gaol, you can walk through the history of England’s criminal justice system, dating back to the days of the Tudors. You can visit the Old Court Room, preserved exactly as it stood in 1886. Must-sees the original exercise yard and stocks, as well as a replica of the famed Bayeux Tapestry. 

This museum includes history and artefacts dating from ancient Rome to WWI. There’s even a Children’s Discovery Trail where the kids can get their own bail certificate.