Historic Eastbourne
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Eastbourne from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover Eastbourne's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Eastbourne's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Shinewater Bronze Age settlement
Eastbourne
The Bronze Age platform and trackway at Shinewater are scheduled for the following principal reasons: Fragility: the waterlogged deposits are...
Bedfordwell Pumping Station, Eastbourne
Eastbourne
1881-83 engine house and attached boiler house built for Eastbourne Waterworks Co. Ltd. in Classical style; architect Henry Currey.
Martello tower no 66, 320m north east of Langney Point
Eastbourne
Martello towers are gun towers constructed to defend the vulnerable south eastern coast of England against the threat of ship-borne invasion by...
Eastbourne Pier
Eastbourne
Seaside pier. It opened on 13th June 1870 and was designed by Eugenius Birch, the contractors Messrs Head, Wrighton and Co of Stockton on Tees.
Unknown Wreck Site
Located some 14km south-east of Beachy Head.
The unidentified wooden wreck site off Eastbourne is designated as a Protected Wreck for the following principal reasons: Archaeological importance:...
Tally Ho public house
Eastbourne
The Tally Ho Public House, built in 1927 for the Brighton-based Kemp Town Brewery by John Leopold Denman, their in-house architect.
Eastbourne Redoubt
Eastbourne
Three redoubts, or large coastal artillery forts, were built between 1804 and 1812, at Harwich, Dymchurch and Eastbourne, to provide garrisons of up...
Church of St Mary
Eastbourne
Late C12- c1500; restored 1851 by R.C. Carpenter. Read the official list entry to find out more.
No. 11 The Goffs
Eastbourne
A 1910 Arts and Crafts style house by Eastbourne architect Peter D. Stonham.
Neolithic causewayed enclosure on Combe Hill
SOUTH DOWNS
Between 50 and 70 causewayed enclosures are recorded nationally, mainly in southern and eastern England.
Ocklynge cemetery chapel
Eastbourne
Pair of cemetery chapels, 1857 by Benjamin Ferrey, designed as one building, Anglican chapel to the south, smaller nonconformist chapel to the north.
Martello tower no 64 at the Crumbles, 1.3km north east of…
Crumbles
Martello towers are gun towers constructed to defend the vulnerable south eastern coast of England against the threat of ship-borne invasion by...
The Wish Tower: martello tower no 73
Eastbourne
Martello towers are gun towers constructed to defend the vulnerable south eastern coast of England against the threat of ship-borne invasion by...
Bowl barrow on western summit of Combe Hill
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow on eastern summit of Combe Hill
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Saucer barrow on Combe Hill
SOUTH DOWNS
Saucer barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, most examples dating to between 1800 and l200 BC.
Saucer barrow on Cold Crouch
SOUTH DOWNS
Saucer barrows are funerary monuments of the Early Bronze Age, most examples dating to between 1800 and l200 BC.
Medieval farmstead and regular aggregate field system, 80…
East Dean and Friston
Farmsteads, normally occupied by only one or two families and comprising small groups of buildings with attached yards, gardens and enclosures, were a...
Bowl barrow west of Well Combe
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow 150m south of Well Combe
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Church of St Saviour
Eastbourne
1865-6, steeple 1870-2, by G.E Street. 1892 baptistry. 1903 south chapel. 1954 church room. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Leaf Hall
Eastbourne
A working men's institute of 1863-1864, designed by the Architect Robert Knott Blessley in Continental Gothic style for the philanthropist William...
Eastbourne War Memorial
Eastbourne
First World War memorial with sculpture by Henry Charles Fehr, with additions for the Second World War and for subsequent conflicts.
St Saviour's, Eastbourne War Memorial
Eastbourne
First World War memorial, 1920, designed by Colin Hay Murray. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Eastbourne Signal Box
Eastbourne
Signal box. Saxby and Farmer Type 5 design, built in 1882 for the London Brighton & South Coast Railway. Some later alterations.
Pair of bowl barrows and remains of a later post mill on …
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Cross dyke on Beachy Brow 30m south east of the golf club
SOUTH DOWNS
Cross dykes are substantial linear earthworks typically between 0.2km and 1km long and comprising one or more ditches arranged beside and parallel to...
Winter Garden
Eastbourne
Winter Garden (Floral and Pavilion Hall) of 1875 to 1876, by Henry Currey architect to the Devonshire Estate, with alterations and additions of around...
Caffyns Garage
Eastbourne
Motor car garage and showroom, with assembly rooms and offices above, 1911 by H Woolnough of Eastbourne.
South Street Free Church
Eastbourne
Church, 1903, by Henry Ward of Hastings. Minor later alterations. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Bowl barrow and adjacent double bowl barrow E of Pashley
Eastbourne
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow 160m south of Beehive Plantation
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Two bowl barrows on Beachy Brow 730m east of Ringwood
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow on Willingdon Hill, 450m south-west of the So…
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow on Willingdon Hill
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow west of Paradise Plantation
Eastbourne
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Bowl barrow on Pashley Hill
SOUTH DOWNS
Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most...
Historic Eastbourne through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion and the introduction of writing. Primarily hunter-gatherers of several human species including Neanderthals, the peoples moved across Europe, hunting animals, exchanging ideas and developing complex culture and belief systems including burial rites and astronomical understanding, as at Stonehenge for example.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Eastbourne
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets that are impossible to see from the ground.
Eastbourne
Grand Parade, Eastbourne, 1920
Eastbourne
The Wish Tower (Martello Tower No. 73), Eastbourne, 1949
Eastbourne
Marine Parade, Eastbourne, 1920
Eastbourne
Grand Parade and the town, Eastbourne, 1949
Beachy Head
Beachy Head and Beachy Head Lighthouse, Beachy Head, 1931
Beachy Head
Beachy Head Lighthouse and cliffs, Beachy Head, 1949
Beachy Head
The Belle Tout Lighthouse, Beachy Head, 1939
Beachy Head
The Belle Tout Lighthouse and surroundings, Beachy Head, 1939
Eastbourne
Holywell Mount and St Bede's School Playing Field, Eastbourne, 1946
Eastbourne
Holywell Mount, Eastbourne, 1947
Historic England Archive images of Eastbourne
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Eastbourne's past.
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Holywell, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1920 - 1926
GENERAL VIEW OF PEOPLE TAKING TEA ON THE LAWNS
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Holywell, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1933 - 1938
ELEVATED VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Holywell, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1920 - 1929
GENERAL ELEVATED VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Holywell, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1900 - 1940
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING NEW TEA CHALET
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Cliff, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1920 - 1940
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING THE LAWNS FROM WISH TOWER LOOKING TOWARDS BEACHY HEAD
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Cliff, Eastbourne, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1900 - 1907
GENERAL VIEW OF THE LAWNS WITH CROWDS OF PEOPLE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1900 - 1920
VIEW ON THE BEACH SHOWING THE CENTRAL BANDSTAND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1900 - 1930
VIEW SHOWING CARPET GARDENS, GRAND PARADE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 01 Jan 1898 - 22 Aug 1903
GENERAL VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1905 - 1910
GENERAL VIEW WITH CROWDS
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1917 - 1922
VIEW SHOWING THE CARPET GARDENS
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Date created: 1900 - 1940
VIEW SHOWING THE CARPET GARDENS
Stories about heritage in Eastbourne
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about Eastbourne.
Black and British: Uncovering a Forgotten History
Mentions Eastbourne
Historian David Olusoga introduces some significant, but often forgotten, figures in Black British history.
Innovative Marking Technology Will Help Protect Nation’s Protected Shipwrecks From Heritage Crime
Mentions Eastbourne
Nearly eight years in the making, this new technology marks a significant development in the protection of vulnerable underwater archaeological sites.
Scientists and Archaeologists Confirm Identity of 17th-century Dutch Warship off the Coast of England Carrying Slabs of Fine Italian Marble
Mentions Eastbourne
An unknown Protected Wreck off the coast of Sussex in remarkable condition is believed to be 17th-century Dutch warship Klein Hollandia built in 1656.
Historic England Launches Interactive Story Map for Schools to Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee
Mentions Church of St Mary, Eastbourne
A resource to educate children about their local history, highlighting important sites that the Queen has visited throughout her 70-year reign.
Explore your social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about heritage in their local area.
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Interior of the Council Chamber with furnishings.
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
Interior view of the furnished assembly room at Eastbourne Town Hall.
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
General view from an elevated position of the main facade of the Town Hall. Eastbourne Town Hall was built 1880-1886 to designs by W Tadman Foulkes.
Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
The tennis courts and garden at The Links boarding school for girls.
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
Students at work in the art studio at The Links boarding school for girls.
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
A bedroom at The Links boarding school for girls.
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
A dormitory bedroom at The Links boarding school for girls.
The Links Boarding School For Girls, Meads Road, Meads, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
People stroll along Western Parade, with the central bandstand and pier beyond.
Eastbourne, East Sussex
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