Towner Eastbourne

The Towner sits right on Eastbourne's seafront, a proper modern gallery that's far more interesting than you'd expect from a seaside town. Inside, you'll find contemporary art exhibitions that rotate regularly - nothing stuffy or dusty, just actual work by living artists mixed in with local pieces that speak to the area's creative community.

The building itself is the draw for many. All clean lines and glass, it feels deliberately different from the Victorian piers and donkey rides down the beach. You can easily spend an hour or two here, longer if an exhibition really grabs you. Kids won't necessarily get bored - there are usually interactive elements and the cafe does decent coffee - but it's geared more towards adults and serious art types than primary school crowds.

Admission is free, which is frankly a gift. The real cost is your time, and it's worth setting aside a rainy afternoon to explore properly rather than rushing through in twenty minutes. Location-wise, you're right on the coast, so it fits neatly into a seaside day. If you're staying at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park just down the road, it's an easy drive or even a coastal walk. Warren Wood Country Park, five miles inland, offers a completely different vibe - proper woodland and open space - so you could combine the two for a proper mixed day out.