Grand Parade Main Resort Beach
Grand Parade Main Resort Beach
Grand Parade Main Resort Beach
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
389 within 5 kms
Attractions
68 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
335 reviews
Excellent
160
Very good
135
Average
29
Poor
6
Terrible
5
chrissieb94
Dorset, UK3,125 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
It was lovely to walk along the promenade on a beautifully sunny day in October. There are different levels to walk - beach level, street level and one in between. Beautifully maintained flower bed border the walkways. There are a number of cafes and a bandstand (which did have a concert on one evening).
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HARRIET C
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Hot day in August so great for a family beach day. Stayed less than an hour. Lots of very drunk people. Large groups on the beach with loud music blaring out of big speakers. Rubbish and litter scattered all over the beach and promenade. Not family friendly or nice atmosphere at all. Won’t be returning 😔
Written August 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frederick R
10 contributions
Sept 2021
Gardens great and well kept a real pleasure to see. However the Public conveniences were in a very poor state of repair. I can't help thinking that the Council missed a opportunity to get them in to good order during the quite time When work was allowed. Please don't blame C19 for the poor state off the parade.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew peck
Ipswich, UK537 contributions
Aug 2020
It was really rain that day which I don't blame the beach on but the beach was very stone and a groin which someone can fall of and injure themselves. the beach front was quite good yet there still wasn't much there. maybe more ice cream shops around and approve on the safety. Hopefully it will be better when I next go and make a better review
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
williamellis
Eastbourne, UK129 contributions
Nov 2019
Eastbourne Grand Parade is what it says. There is plenty to see along the prom without lots of kiosks and gimmicky stalls. Sit and people watch, enjoy the views out to sea or take a stroll along the whole of the promanade. Whatever the weather any time of the year it is just so nice to be beside the sea!! Refreshing!!!
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GPTLebu
Droitwich, UK1,411 contributions
May 2021
Had a great walk here before meeting friends for lunch. Plenty to see and do with great facilities. Clearly evident that this place is looked after. Great views towards the town and Beachy Head
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK8,047 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
The temptation to compare Eastbourne’s main beach to that of its near neighbour Brighton is strong, but they serve different demographics and each offer. It has a a muck lower profile than Brighton, and that brings some clear advantages. It is less crowded, and the atmosphere is more relaxed, less frenetic, more laid back, and much more quiet. It’s a enjoyable spot to visit, for beach activities if the weather permits, or for a stroll and some photography as was the purpose of my visit.
In many respects it’s a typical south coast beach. It’s a shingle / pebble beach, divided up by a series of wooden groins. There’s about three miles of wide shingle beach all up, though the main beach section stretches from the Martello tower (the Wish Tower) in the south up to the pier.
Backing the beach is the promenade, Grand Parade, lined with grand Victorian hotels which give a glimpse into Eastbourne’s seaside heritage. The other vintage feature along the way is the fine bandstand with its curious roof, nicely preserved as a little slice of classic British seaside heritage. It features concerts and activities during the year, including traditional, proms, fireworks and kids concerts.. Towards the pier end of the main beach area you will find the famous Floral Carpet Gardens. And of course the beach’s most notable, and most visited attraction, is its lengthy pier. There is both paid and free parking also the seafront.
There’s two footpaths along this stretch of beach, the Middle Parade at road level, and the Lower Parade, at the beach level. As you stroll along either of these footpaths, you’ll catch a glimpse of the various features the beach has to offer. There’s safe bathing in zones that are patrolled by lifeguards between June and September, some colourful old bathing boxes, and bathing cabins available for rent, refreshment stands, a first aid post, toilet and shower facilities, baby changing facilities, and even a lost child centre. There’s deck chairs for hire on warm sunny days, though the beach was empty on the day of my visit because the weather was windy and wild (though punctuated with with sunshine and blue skies). There’s various seaside amusements for the children. So there is plenty to see, do and enjoy on the main resort beach in Eastbourne for the whole family. The clean bathing water is ideal for swimming and water sports. What warmed my heart was the volume of elderly people, and those requiring mobility assistance such as wheelchairs and scooters, out and about enjoying the bracing air and the various facilities of the beach. The paths are flat and even and very conducive to those who may require assistance. There is lots of seating to rest weary legs. And around and about there are numerous local cafes, eateries and restaurants offering a choice of food and drink options.
At the southern end of the beach you’ll see the Ferris wheel, and the curios Martello tower, called the Wish Tower. It was one of 74 Martello Towers built along the south coast to defend against Napoleon in the early 1800’s. The Wish Tower built on grassed slopes is number 73. A short walk away is the Eastbourne Lifeboat Museum & Shop.
The main attraction and prominent feature of the beach is of course Eastbourne Pier. It is 1,000ft long. It opened in 1870 and is a grand pier with an impressive pavilion at the seaward end. However, over the years it has suffered at the hands of storms, German bombs and more recently a fire in 2014. However, the pier has been fully repaired and is open for business as usual. It contains a plethora of places for food and drink, the likes of fish and chips, gyros, and spots for morning and afternoon teas. There’s souvenir stalls, and a huge amusement arcade at the seaward end, offering all the attractions of a fairground amusement parlour. The pier has been beautifully restored and even though I wasn’t particularly in the amusement arcade, the whole pier is visually pleasing, clean and neat, with plenty of seating options, and of course fine views of the coast stretching towards Beachy Head in the south, and the beach area too the north.
It’s the main attraction of Eastbourne and should be appreciated by all visitors to the city.
In many respects it’s a typical south coast beach. It’s a shingle / pebble beach, divided up by a series of wooden groins. There’s about three miles of wide shingle beach all up, though the main beach section stretches from the Martello tower (the Wish Tower) in the south up to the pier.
Backing the beach is the promenade, Grand Parade, lined with grand Victorian hotels which give a glimpse into Eastbourne’s seaside heritage. The other vintage feature along the way is the fine bandstand with its curious roof, nicely preserved as a little slice of classic British seaside heritage. It features concerts and activities during the year, including traditional, proms, fireworks and kids concerts.. Towards the pier end of the main beach area you will find the famous Floral Carpet Gardens. And of course the beach’s most notable, and most visited attraction, is its lengthy pier. There is both paid and free parking also the seafront.
There’s two footpaths along this stretch of beach, the Middle Parade at road level, and the Lower Parade, at the beach level. As you stroll along either of these footpaths, you’ll catch a glimpse of the various features the beach has to offer. There’s safe bathing in zones that are patrolled by lifeguards between June and September, some colourful old bathing boxes, and bathing cabins available for rent, refreshment stands, a first aid post, toilet and shower facilities, baby changing facilities, and even a lost child centre. There’s deck chairs for hire on warm sunny days, though the beach was empty on the day of my visit because the weather was windy and wild (though punctuated with with sunshine and blue skies). There’s various seaside amusements for the children. So there is plenty to see, do and enjoy on the main resort beach in Eastbourne for the whole family. The clean bathing water is ideal for swimming and water sports. What warmed my heart was the volume of elderly people, and those requiring mobility assistance such as wheelchairs and scooters, out and about enjoying the bracing air and the various facilities of the beach. The paths are flat and even and very conducive to those who may require assistance. There is lots of seating to rest weary legs. And around and about there are numerous local cafes, eateries and restaurants offering a choice of food and drink options.
At the southern end of the beach you’ll see the Ferris wheel, and the curios Martello tower, called the Wish Tower. It was one of 74 Martello Towers built along the south coast to defend against Napoleon in the early 1800’s. The Wish Tower built on grassed slopes is number 73. A short walk away is the Eastbourne Lifeboat Museum & Shop.
The main attraction and prominent feature of the beach is of course Eastbourne Pier. It is 1,000ft long. It opened in 1870 and is a grand pier with an impressive pavilion at the seaward end. However, over the years it has suffered at the hands of storms, German bombs and more recently a fire in 2014. However, the pier has been fully repaired and is open for business as usual. It contains a plethora of places for food and drink, the likes of fish and chips, gyros, and spots for morning and afternoon teas. There’s souvenir stalls, and a huge amusement arcade at the seaward end, offering all the attractions of a fairground amusement parlour. The pier has been beautifully restored and even though I wasn’t particularly in the amusement arcade, the whole pier is visually pleasing, clean and neat, with plenty of seating options, and of course fine views of the coast stretching towards Beachy Head in the south, and the beach area too the north.
It’s the main attraction of Eastbourne and should be appreciated by all visitors to the city.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin K
East Sussex, UK84 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Unexpectedly attractive seafront, a fine pier, cleverly decorated and under improvement, grand hotels with distant views of the downs and Hastings coastline. The promenade has some attractive building especially the beautiful 1930s Bandstand and colonnade. Walking along above the beach on a choice of levels are a range of eating and drinking opportunities, everything very well cared for, tidy and clean. Especially enjoyable is the beautiful planting of flowers that decorate the garden boarder of the main area of the promenade. A delightful and calm stroll on a summer day. Recommended.
Written June 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllanWhicker007
120 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The most interesting part of the visit to Eastbourne was imagining how it must have been during its hey day in the 19th Century. You can see the history in the design of pier and the architecture of most of the sea front Hotels. Ones mind is regularly cast back to the bygone glory days of what must have once been a rich Town both in terms of its culture and facilities. The Town now seems to have been in steady decline for the last 40 years, the lack of investment is evident in the poor maintenance of the facades of pretty much every Hotel on the sea front, basic maintenance is lacking, old attraction signs are worn and in a state of disrepair. The pier seems as though its been in decline for decades. The potential for the Town could be huge but perhaps the decline is due to people showing more interest in other nearby coastal towns. Along the main shopping streets, closures, low end shops are all too evident. There's refurbishment work to a shopping centre being carried out but with the decline of retails outlets in the adjacent streets you have to wonder what good it will do? Maybe a new low end supermarket, more charity shops and poundland type stores? At night along roads close to the seafront the streets seem to have a large proportion of drunks, a few drug addicts, homeless folk, the houses along some of these streets are in such poor repair with broken furniture and waste materials dumped in the front gardens. Anti social behaviour is evident at night time, of the 455 crimes reported within the square mile centre of Eastbourne in May 2018, over half were related to anti social behaviour, violence and sexual offences. After 9:30pm many places close down though there is a wide selection of International restaurants which are busy and seem to give the Town some life. The Town has a huge population of retired people and many disabled/large people, the climate and sea air is definately a real benefit to them. One can walk along the old promenade and along the nearby cliffs and areas of natural beauty not far from Eastbourne, the facilities at the local attractions are dated but better than nothing.
Eastbourne gives the impression of a seaside town lost in time and left to decay, with the locals managing the best they can. (Its no Brighton or Bournemouth) You can't help but wonder how a place which over a 100 years ago was truly magnificent seaside retreat ended up in the shoddy state it now finds itself now. Its possible that cheap holidays abroad may have contributed to its decline over the last 40 years and an aging population and a fleeing generation of younger people looking for a more adventerous life outside. There maybe a glimmer of hope though, something which may increase the low occupancy rates of the tired Hotels, as we become more detatched from Europe and travel there becomes less of an option to many, people may be forced to consider Towns of a bygone era such as Eastbourne and this could result in the Town flourishing once more. In summing up, good for a short trip of one or 2 days max. nice natural walks outside of the Town, don't expect a comfortable well maintained Hotel and take care when going out at night.
Eastbourne gives the impression of a seaside town lost in time and left to decay, with the locals managing the best they can. (Its no Brighton or Bournemouth) You can't help but wonder how a place which over a 100 years ago was truly magnificent seaside retreat ended up in the shoddy state it now finds itself now. Its possible that cheap holidays abroad may have contributed to its decline over the last 40 years and an aging population and a fleeing generation of younger people looking for a more adventerous life outside. There maybe a glimmer of hope though, something which may increase the low occupancy rates of the tired Hotels, as we become more detatched from Europe and travel there becomes less of an option to many, people may be forced to consider Towns of a bygone era such as Eastbourne and this could result in the Town flourishing once more. In summing up, good for a short trip of one or 2 days max. nice natural walks outside of the Town, don't expect a comfortable well maintained Hotel and take care when going out at night.
Written July 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NBLondon
London, UK490 contributions
Aug 2019
If you're after a sandy beach, forget Eastbourne. Its main beach is very stony indeed, but it's still a lovely place to be, with fresh air, crystal clear water and, when the tide really goes all the way out, some sand on which you can paddle. It's all scrupulously clean and there's a nice promenade above the beach for those who wish to steer clear of the beach.
Written August 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing