This South Coast resort claims to be the sunniest place in the UK and that’s just one of the reasons it is such a hit with tourists – especially those who have dogs. The town is renowned for its Victorian architecture and its well-manicured seafront promenade runs for miles. There are scores of good places to eat and drink and the South Downs National Park is also close by, so you can walk off all those extra calories. Keep reading to find out about the best dog-friendly things to see and do…
Dog-friendly Eastbourne: the must-sees
Start by promenading along Eastbourne’s seafront, which stretches for almost five miles. It is mostly flat, so makes for a great place to enjoy a stroll, taking in the beach, colourful gardens, bandstand, pier, and beautiful Victorian architecture. Also keep your eyes peeled for one of the 74 Wish Towers – or Martello Towers – built along the South Coast to defend against Napoleon in the early 1800s.
Eastbourne Waterfront recommends this 4.5-mile walking route to tick off all the main sights. Or alternatively, join one of the walking tours led by Kim Adams, which cover Eastbourne’s Promenade, Historic Meads and Devonshire Quarter. These 90-minute group walks, costing £7.50 per person, run in spring and summer but private tours are available all year round. Dogs are very welcome to the join in the fun but be aware they are not allowed on Eastbourne Pier.
If you’d rather let the train take the strain, jump on the cute little Dotto train, which runs along the seafront during the summer months. The hop-on-hop-off service goes from Sovereign Harbour to Holywell Retreat and takes approximately 45 minutes each way. Single tickets cost £3 per adult, while well-behaved dogs travel for free. Dotto DayRider tickets are also available, giving you unlimited journeys for £5.50.
The open-top Eastbourne Sightseeing Bus is also pet-friendly and as well as taking in the town centre and seafront, it travels along the South Coast and into the South Downs National Park. There are a total of 15 stops, including the Lifeboat Museum, Italian Gardens, Beachy Head and Birling Gap. At the time of writing, the service was available from March to November and adult tickets cost £12.
Eastbourne has some beautiful parks that are well worth visiting. Gildredge Park and Manor Gardens, in the Old Town, has a great mix of woodland, open fields, rose gardens and leisure facilities. Motcombe Gardens – opposite the memorial to late comedian Tommy Cooper – is the source of the Bourne Stream that gives Eastbourne its name. Princes Park, with its boating lake, is another charming spot to explore, as is Shinewater Park – Eastbourne’s newest green space.
If you’re in need of a bit of retail therapy, head to The Beacon. This shopping centre is filled with big-name brands and is proudly dog-friendly throughout. And art lovers should check out the Towner Eastbourne – a contemporary art gallery just a couple of streets back from the seafront. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed inside but the colourful building makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. You can’t miss it!
Dog-friendly Eastbourne: the best walks
You may think that once you’ve explored Eastbourne’s beach, parks and promenade, you’ve seen everything the town has to offer – but that is really not the case. Around a 10-minute drive from the town centre you’ll find Beachy Head, which boasts the highest chalk sea cliffs in Britain, standing 531ft tall. As well as great views over the English Channel (and a cute red and white striped lighthouse), Beachy Head has some great walking routes that follow the South Downs Way. Find some recommended routes here.
Seven Sisters Country Park, around a 15-minute drive from Eastbourne, is also well worth visiting for the stunning scenery. Named after the famous chalk cliffs that form part of the Sussex Heritage Coast, the site is a haven for wildlife and there are some great walks here too. You’ll find all the details in the Visitor Centre, but the most popular take in Birling Gap and the pebble beach of Cuckmere Haven.
When we visited, we opted to park at South Hill Barn, where you can walk through clifftop fields and down some steps to access the beach. This is arguably one of the best spots to see the majesty of the Seven Sisters and you will also go past the iconic Coastguards Cottages, pictured above. Click here to see a 1.7-mile route that is similar to the one we followed. Allow approximately an hour for the walk.
Dog-friendly Eastbourne: the best pubs and cafes
Eastbourne is home to some seriously cool places to eat and drink, and many of them are super dog-friendly. One of our favourite spots is The Tennis Cafe in Gildredge Park which, as the name suggests, is right next to a tennis club – which Eastbourne is famous for. Pets are welcome both inside and out here, and there is even a special menu for discerning dogs. All visiting pooches also get some complimentary treats, served in a cute vintage teacup.
Dogs are also very welcome at The Soup Shack, in Terminus Road, which is renowned for its homemade soup – and cocktails! It goes from a cafe and bistro during the day to a tap room and tapas bar at night and has a very cool Latin American vibe that you won’t find anywhere else. Another great dog-friendly spot is The Vinyl Frontier record shop and cafe in Grove Road, where you can sip on a freshly roasted coffee while enjoying cool tunes.
Veggies and vegans should make a beeline for The Good Grub – a plant-based restaurant just one street back from the seafront. Hearty comfort food is the order of the day here (think Ste*k and Chips and Mac ‘n’ Cheeze) and I highly recommend trying the vegan cocktails. The restaurant, in Compton Street, provides blankets and water bowls for all visiting dogs, and there’s even a vegan dog menu. Photos of its four-legged visitors also adorn on the walls.
Dogs will be in for a treat at El Changarro in the Old Town, too. This Mexican eatery, in the Tally Ho Lounge on Church Street, brings a slice of sunshine to Eastbourne – and as well as offering delicious authentic dishes such as quesadillas and burritos, it also serves special doggy tacos. The Old Town is also home to some great pet-friendly pubs including the historic Lamb Inn, in the High Street, and The Rainbow, in Star Road.
If you like your food to be served with a sea view, then head to The Beach Deck on Royal Parade. This relaxed restaurant, right on the beach, serves tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners and I can confirm the Mezze Platter goes down a treat with a glass of wine on a sunny day. Dogs are very welcome on the outside deck all day long. But if the weather isn’t great when you visit, don’t worry – pets are also allowed inside on one side of the restaurant.
Perch in the Park, in Princes Park, is also a popular spot for dogs and their owners. The cafe, which overlooks the lake, is beloved by locals and tourists alike, and whether you just want to grab a takeaway coffee or enjoy a full meal, you’ll be made to feel very welcome. On Sundays, the cafe also serves an amazing sharing roast and you can add portions of pigs in blankets – the perfect treat for hungry dogs!
Almost everyone walking to or from Beachy Head ends up at The Pilot Inn, too. This atmospheric pub, in Meads Street, is sandwiched between Eastbourne seafront and the South Downs National Park so is a popular place for hikers to refuel. Dogs are welcome in the cosy bar, which just invites you to pop in for a pint and tuck into one of the freshly cooked pub classics on the menu.
Walkers looking for something a bit more ‘grab and go’, should check out The Kiosk, in Foyle Way. This simple cafe serves breakfast sandwiches, toasties and baguettes and has a covered outdoor seating area where dogs are allowed. The Kiosk is located at the end of the 100-mile Eastbourne to Winchester section of the South Downs Way. From here, you can pick up the footpath to Beachy Head, just over a mile away.
Dog-friendly Eastbourne: where to stay
There are a whole host of dog-friendly hotels and B&Bs in Eastbourne, many of which are either on the seafront or very close by. If you’re looking to push the boat out, book a stay at The Grand, which bills itself as “the finest 5* hotel by the sea in Sussex”. Dogs are welcome in selected rooms at this palatial hotel and will also receive their own bed, blanket and bowl.
The View Hotel, just a stone’s throw from the beach, also welcomes dogs – although be aware that most of the pet-friendly rooms are on the fifth floor. West Rocks Townhouse, The Burlington Hotel and The Cavendish Hotel are also great budget-friendly options. Most hotels and B&Bs do charge an additional fee for pets.
If you’d prefer a self-catering property, check out the Old Town Oasis, around a 20-minute walk from the seafront in – you guessed it – the heart of the Old Town. This stylish two-bedroom self-catering lodge has everything you need for a short break, including an enclosed patio garden. More beautiful dog-friendly accommodation can be booked via Exclusively Eastbourne.
How do I get to Eastbourne?
The town is around 40 miles south of the M25, via the M23 and A27 or A22. It is also less than an hour from London Gatwick Airport and around a 20-minute drive from Newhaven ferry port. If you’re driving from the West, you’ll arrive via the A259, which takes a scenic route along the South Coast and connects Eastbourne with Brighton, Hastings, Rye and Folkestone.
If you’re travelling by train, Southern Railway provide regular services from London Victoria that take approximately 90 minutes each way. National Express and Stagecoach offer bus services to Eastbourne and you can also pick up the Coaster Bus from Eastbourne, which runs through the South Downs National Park to Brighton.
Where can I find out more?
Be sure to check out rescue dog Scamp’s invaluable guide to Eastbourne. Each year, he and his owners put together a free directory of all things dog-friendly in and around the town – and the 2025 edition fills 56 pages! Paper versions are produced but you can also see all the information online. Click here to see the latest guide.
Visit Eastbourne is the official tourism site for the resort town and is packed with information about things to see and do locally, as well as details of upcoming events – such as the annual airshow, which takes place every August. You’ll also find lots of useful information on the Friends of Eastbourne Seafront website, which is mostly run by local residents.