ALTHOUGH thousands of families from the area make their way to holiday at the south coast each year, they might not have considered going a little further to the east.
If not, they are missing out on the gem that is Eastbourne in East Sussex, a picturesque seaside location which boasts attractive shopping and dining options, in addition to outstanding natural beauty and a wide variety of entertainment for all ages.
It has the benefit of a location within the South Downs National Park and is extremely close to the awe-inspiring beauty of both Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, and the excellent country park attached to the latter. There’s lots of parking available, and a fantastic visitor’s centre, should you decide to make a stop to explore the stunning scenery or hike in the hills just before you reach Eastbourne itself.
My husband and I ventured to the area with our four year-old recently and found ourselves both surprised and delighted by what was on offer. Our base was Bassets House bed and breakfast. Located in central Eastbourne, it boasted the perfect position along the seafront, just opposite a path directly to the beach and the Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum.
New owners Howard and Catherine (a former airline planning manager and maths teacher, respectively) have been in charge since January. Keen travellers, they have utilised their own accommodation experiences in order to put together the perfect package for visitors to Bassets.
The windows of our idyllic first floor room overlooked a bowling green and had a view of the sea, and the warm and friendly couple helpfully informed us of the basics of the area.
They pointed us in the direction of a seafront restaurant and a children’s play area just a few minutes’ walk away and, given that we’d been lucky with the weather, we quickly unpacked and made our way to both. We were able to spend a few hours watching our daughter splash around in Treasure Island’s clean, safe pool, complete with its ‘hippo’ and ‘crocodile’.
When hunger struck, we moved around the corner into The Beach Deck restaurant to enjoy a terrific lunch of what else but fish and chips.
As we walked along the promenade afterwards towards the town centre, enjoying an ice cream, we expressed delight at the discovery of such a haven which, despite the numbers of people there enjoying the weather, was incredibly peaceful and a very pleasant place in which to spend the day.
The next day, after a triumph of a cooked breakfast, we reluctantly parted from our hosts at Bassets, vowing to return, and headed off to pay a visit to Drusillas Park in Alfriston.
Just seven miles outside Eastbourne, this long-established 10 acre zoo now boasts an all-new Hello Kitty attraction, the first in Europe.
The Secret Garden has three new rides for younger children, including spinning teacups, a car ride and a sky hopper for the more adventurous child. During key holiday times, there are opportunities to meet Hello Kitty and fans of the popular feline can also pop in to her beauty salon to have their faces painted or a temporary tattoo applied.
Coming up this year, kids will also have the chance to meet Peppa and George Pig, Fireman Sam and the Fat Controller from Thomas the Tank Engine. Those who love the latter blue engine will also be delighted by the Thomas train ride which runs through the park every day – our daughter certainly did, dragging us on it at least five times!
The ride passes through the llama area and along the way, Thomas fans will be able to spot James, Cranky the crane, Bulgy the bus, Diesel and the one and only Fat Controller.
We were very impressed by the facility and the number of attractions on offer for children to enjoy. Even though we encountered heavy rain throughout our visit, we remained cheerful thanks to the fantastic array of animals and the interactivity of a number of the exhibits.
The layout is extremely well-designed with families able to follow the path around so that they don’t end up constantly retracing their steps. Many of the enclosures have rubber stamps outside them which enable kids to mark off in their animal spotter books (provided at entry) what they have seen.
If they’re feeling particularly energetic, they can complete the ‘zoolympics’ challenges listed in another of the free booklets which are supplied.
One particularly popular section houses the rainbow lorikeet. Little pots of nectar can be purchased at a hatch for £1 and, should you buy one, you’ll be surrounded by these beautiful little birds in seconds!
We had a lot of fun as they jostled for position on our hands and heads, desperate to get their beaks in the pot.
After a few more hours making the most of the Go Wild and Go Bananas two-sectioned play area, we were done in.
But, as we took the scenic route – A and B roads instead of the M25, M27 or M3 - back to Hampshire we were utterly satisfied by our few days away, feeling that not a pound or a minute had been wasted.
How often can you say that about family breaks?!
Travel information:
Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5QS
01323 874100 drusillas.co.uk
Bassets House, 72 Royal Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 7AQ
01323 730745, bassetshouse.com
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