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Eastbourne council officers will be delighted to show you the records, if you can drag yourself away from the delightful seaside promenade and carefully tended flower beds.
Although Eastbourne’s only obtained its charter in 1883, Eastbourne has been around sometime. The oldest building is the 12th century ‘Pilgrims’. It is said that the underground passages that link it to late 12th century parish church of St. Mary’s and the Lamb Inn (c1240) were constructed by the monks. Neat eh? Can you just imagine Father Abbott telling the lads, “I’m just off to the Lamb for a swift half! Keep it under your cowls, but we daren’t drink the water nowadays, we cannot have the peasents getting into bad habits!”
The present town of Eastbourne owes most of its current prominence to the 7th Duke of Devonshire who started to develop the coastal area from about 1850. Nowadays Eastbourne enjoys an acceptable balance between brashness of Brighton and the almost soporific gentility of Bournmouth.
Eastbourne is, essentially a retirement town although they probably won’t thank me for saying as much.
With a 3 mile long sea front, a well maintained pier, a cheerful bandstand, delightful gardens and lots of dignified Victorian houses, hotels and public buildings, Eastbourne is ‘comfortable’.
To the west of Eastbourne the coastal cliffs rise from sea level to a majestic 600ft. at the top of Beachy Head, a stimulating walk for the energetic.
Places to visit in the area include, Beachy Head, Birling Gap & Seven Sisters Country Park.
Eastbourne, being both sunny and comfortable makes an ideal place for a days visit, a holiday or a long and happy retirement!
Most important of all - Enjoy yourself.
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