With a two night getaway to Eastbourne you’ll want to balance the best of the town with the surrounding South Downs.

East Sussex is famed for it’s coastal clout, ancient woodlands and expansive views, and has long attracted those looking to escape the city for a change of pace.

A two night holiday will allow you to unwind, relax and slow down. Whether you choose to go with the flow or want to pack in as much as possible, we’ve included some tips below to help during your stay at Port.

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

Get to know Eastbourne, described by the Guardian as “a post-card pretty town braced against the dramatic English coast – home to arty cinemas and theatre spaces, cool bars and trendy shopping quarters, away from the bustle of neighbouring Brighton.”

No trip to the seaside is complete without an ice-cream and Eastbourne’s local institution Gelato Famoso serves up the most delicious Italian ice-cream. Head there first to get into the seaside holiday mood and then stroll along the Royal Parade, towards the Victorian Eastbourne Pier and into Little Chelsea, finding your way to Grove Road which has some lovely cafes and eateries including Doc and Skylark, where you can stop for a light lunch. Bookworms will absolutely love Camilla’s Book Shop, a treasure trove of over 500,000 books, and Archie the parrot to welcome you!

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

Arriving back at Port, relax in your room or enjoy a drink in the lounge area or outdoor deck, with time for a freshen up before dinner.

If you have time for drinks and nibbles ahead of dinner then we recommend heading to Hardy at Cru who has sourced a fantastic wine list and has 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.

One of our favourite times of day is golden hour, right before the sun sets. Venture out in the evening for a stroll along the beach, right on our doorstep. We get some pretty special skies in the evening with the light bouncing off the sea, so let the endless sea views wash over you, knowing there’s another full day ahead tomorrow to explore further.

On your second day, we recommend getting out of Eastbourne and exploring some of the lovely coast and countryside around us. Add a Port Picnic to your stay so you have lunch covered, with plenty of scenic spots to stop at along the way.

Coast meets countryside in Eastbourne and we’re spoilt with The South Downs Way bordering our town - 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 from Seaford Head to Eastbourne – the full walk is approximately 14 miles in total, which will take around 7 hours, but you can choose to break it up by bus or car for those that prefer a more leisurely stroll, or consider starting a little further on at Cuckmere Haven.

The views at Cuckmere Haven are spectacular with the famed Seven Sisters Cliffs stretching out ahead of you, and the walk east towards Eastbourne returning view after view.

Cuckmere Beach is a great spot to enjoy a dip and lap up those impressive chalk cliffs. After a dip, head inland to cross the water safely, and along a trail to Cuckmere Inn, finding the bridge crossing to continue your walk.

An undulating walk lies ahead as you journey between Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap. You’ll be rewarded at Belle Tout Lighthouse with a shop that sells ice-cream and refreshments, with the famous striped Beachy Head lighthouse shortly in your sights…

Eastbourne will start to reveal itself with a descent into town amidst verdant wild flower meadows. Make your way to Levels Wine Bar & Tasting Room to celebrate your walk and pour over some of the many hundred photos you’ve likely taken!

There’s a great guide here of the walk that’s well worth a read.

On the day you depart we recommend heading home via Rathfinny Vineyard and the town of Lewes.

Sussex is famed for it’s English wine, which you’ll have hopefully sampled during your stay at Port. Producers such as Bolney, Rathfinny and Albourne can all be found behind the bar at Port. A lovely way to round off your stay is to visit one of the vineyards, with Rathfinny only a 30 minute scenic drive from Port. Wander their vineyards, where they grow three principle grapes, Pinot Noir Chardonny and Pinot Meunier, and book a tour of the estate to learn all about the process, enjoying a glass in the most magical of settings.

Travel 30 minutes onto Lewes, via the quaint village of Alfriston, and wander around this hilltop town which has a big independent spirit and endless antique shops, cafés and lifestyle stores. The undulating hills are definitely a work out, but add to the olde-worlde charm of this town. Venture to the top of the town to visit the Norman fortress, Lewes Castle, and enjoy those expansive views over Sussex. After all that walking you may fancy a dip at the Lewes Lido which is open from May-October and is the perfect tonic after a busy day, or if your legs can still carry you then Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve is well worth a visit before heading home.

For more tips on a trip to Lewes there’s a great article on Londonist.