When you have 24 hours in Eastbourne, you’ll want to hone in on the best things to do in both the town and the surrounds.

There’s plenty to pack in so we’ve distilled it down to help you plan your stay at Port.

You may want to go at a well-deserved leisurely pace, and simply enjoy time chilling at the hotel with cocktail in hand, enjoying the endless sea views. Or you might prefer to use Port as a launch pad to explore the beautiful East Sussex coastline and countryside.

Whatever you decide, your escape to the sea will restore calm and reward you with some time out to relax, connect and unwind.

Check-in at Port Hotel is 3pm, but you can arrive earlier to make the most of the day and leave your luggage with the team.

Start the day by getting familiar with Eastbourne - go for a stroll along the Royal Parade, towards Eastbourne Pier and head into Little Chelsea, weaving your way up to Grove Road which has the treasure trove that is Camilla’s Book Shop, and some lovely cafes and eateries including Doc and Skylark, where you can stop for a light lunch.

Circle back to Port via the renowned Towner Gallery for a dose of art and culture, and then make your way down Seaside Road to stop in at VOLT Gallery, with a great vintage shop just a couple of doors down for the essential ‘out-of-towner’ antique rummage.

Before heading back to Port, head west for a classic day at the seaside, away from the crowds and discover some of Eastbourne’s hidden gems around Holywell Beach and Meads Village.

Once a fishing village, Holywell still retains the essence of its original charm. There is a shingle beach and at low tide rock pools are full of marine life, making it a perfect place for swimming. There are showers and toilet facilities, beach huts and chalets (featured in series four of Interior Design Masters). There’s also the Holywell Tea Chalet with its spacious outdoor area where you can sit and soak up the atmosphere or pop to the nearby Italian Gardens - a natural sun trap and perfect picnic spot.

For a flavour of local life, next stop is Meads Street - a parade of shops, restaurants and cafes. Places worth checking out include Ship Inn - a busy local with a lovely garden, Ancient Grains who serve brunches and light lunches by day, Sardinian sharing platters by night and Grand Flowers & Gifts who are known for their gorgeous floral window displays. If you’re wanting even more of a floral fix, then don’t leave Meads Village without a trip to The Village allotment gardens. This square of artisans’ dwellings built around central allotments was completed in 1894. Each allotment is now a miniature cottage garden forming a riot of colour from spring to autumn with roses scrambling over flint walls and rustic wooden arches.

After a busy day, you’ll be in need of an ice-cream - Gelato Famoso serves up the most delicious Italian ice-cream, in every flavour going. With ice-cream in hand, venture down to the seafront to lap up the views, rolling waves and sea air.

Back at Port, settle into your room and enjoy a drink in the lounge area or outdoor deck, then freshen up before dinner.

If you have time for drinks and nibbles, then we recommend heading to Cru who have a wonderful wine list and expert knowledge of local Sussex wines and beyond.

There’s a great choice of restaurants, catering to all favoured flavours. Our favourites include the newly opened (Summer 2023) Light at Towner Gallery for a touch of Scandi style, Skylark for great seasonal produce and Eight Bells Jevington for award-winning countryside cuisine. You’ll find a full list of recommendations with your Welcome Letter which will be shared on email and in room.

Before the sun dips head out for an evening stroll to really savour those sea views at low tide, allowing the dreamy pastel tones that bounce off the sea to wash over you.

Whether you’ve ‘set to snooze’ the next morning or want to be up and at ‘em, enjoy brunch in the Port restaurant before checking out at 11am. With a full day ahead, make your way to Holywell Beach which is a 35 minute walk from Port or short drive/bus journey.

The exploring isn’t over as you can’t leave Eastbourne without making your way into the South Downs Way, which starts just by Holywell.

The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath that runs for 160 km from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Sample the start of the South Downs with a walk to Beachy Head and spend a couple of hours along this beautiful coastal walk-way with breath-taking views, camera poised for that winning shot of the famed light house.

There’s a great circular walk that takes in Beachy Head, and also takes you through the picturesque village of East Dean, with the Tiger Inn making for a perfect late lunch pit stop.

If there’s time, before heading home, explore the waterways in Cuckmere Haven, which remains the only undeveloped Sussex river mouth. It meanders through ancient grazing chalk-down pastures and verdant meadows and is a great spot for kayaking, paddle boarding, and picnics – remember that you can enhance your stay at Port with a delicious Port Picnic hamper so let the team know if you’d like to have that arranged for your stay.

Whatever you decide to do, we’d love you to share your photos with us on Instagram. @stayatport #stayatport.

We’re keen to add to this feature with guest recommendations so can’t wait to see where you make your port of call.

Enjoy!

Many thanks to Emma Croman for all her wonderful photography

Meads Village supplied by Meads Community Association

A Night At Port