Tumble
← UK Trips
ExceptionalVictorian seafront grand hotel with two pools

The Grand Hotel Eastbourne

Eastbourne, East Sussex

Old-school seaside glamour that still loves children. The outdoor pool is open to kids all day, the beach and pier are across the road and there's afternoon tea for the grown-ups. Simple, joyful and an easy train ride from London.

For the children

  • Pool
  • Family dining
  • Family rooms
  • Cots
  • Extra beds
  • Spa
Best for
Seaside weekends with children of any age
Ages
All ages
Pool
Indoor pool with family sessions; outdoor pool open to children
Family rooms
Family suites; cots, sofa beds and pull-in beds available
Outdoors
Seafront and pier, beach, South Downs and Beachy Head walks

We only list facilities we could confirm on their website — something not listed may still be there.

Days out nearby

  • Drusillas Park ↗

    ~9 miles · ~15 mins

    Zoo · nearby attraction

    A compact zoo built around the height and attention span of small children, with meerkats, penguins and lemurs close up, plus play areas and small rides between the enclosures. Manageable in a day and near the South Downs and the Sussex coast.

  • Bluebell Railway ↗

    ~26 miles · ~45 mins

    Steam railway · ideal day trip

    A heritage steam line through the Sussex Weald, with sheds of locomotives to explore and special family trains through the year. A gentle, nostalgic outing near Sheffield Park.

  • Kent & East Sussex Railway ↗

    ~36 miles · ~45 mins

    Steam railway · ideal day trip

    Steam trains chug through the Rother Valley to Bodiam Castle, so children get a train ride and a moated castle in one trip. Lovely for a Kent weekend.

  • Hever Castle and Gardens ↗

    ~37 miles · ~45 mins

    Castle / historic · ideal day trip

    Anne Boleyn's childhood home has a water maze that soaks the unwary, a yew maze, adventure playground and boating on the lake. History comes alive through jousting and family events across the year.

  • British Wildlife Centre ↗

    ~39 miles · ~45 mins

    Wildlife park · ideal day trip

    The place to see red squirrels, foxes, otters and badgers up close, with keeper talks every weekend. Quiet and educational, it is a short drive from the Sussex and Surrey country-house hotels.

  • Leeds Castle ↗

    ~45 miles · ~1 hr

    Castle / historic · ideal day trip

    A fairytale castle on a lake, with a maze that leads to an underground grotto, a playground themed around knights and a birds-of-prey show. Children see the castle at its most magical, and it is a classic Kent weekend outing.

  • Arundel Castle ↗

    ~45 miles · ~1 hr

    Castle / historic · ideal day trip

    A towering medieval castle with a keep to climb, armour displays and a summer medieval tournament week with jousting knights. Lovely gardens and the river town of Arundel make it a good West Sussex day.

  • Port Lympne Safari Park ↗

    ~47 miles · ~1 hr

    Safari park · ideal day trip

    A truck safari across a huge Kent estate gets children surprisingly close to rhinos, giraffes and big cats, with views to the Romney Marsh coast. Older children especially love it, and the reserve suits a weekend on the Kent coast.

Reviews from Tumble families

No reviews yet — been here? Be the first to tell other parents.

    Been here with your family? Sign in to write a review.

    A guide, not a guarantee. Shown only where the venue or a trusted source has told us. Not listed doesn't mean not available — check with the venue if it matters for your visit.

    Researched by Tumble in October 2026 from each place's own website. Tumble doesn't take these bookings — prices, availability and children's club details change, so check with them before you book. Distances and travel times are approximate.