Eastbourne secures place in top 10 coastal holiday ranking

Eastbourne has secured 9th place on the Great British Coastal Resort Index, earning a spot among the top 10 destinations for the ultimate British seaside holiday.

The study, conducted by marine insurance specialist GJW Direct in June 2026, evaluated 50 popular UK resorts based on tourist amenities like arcades, crazy golf, ice cream stands, and watersports.

Key Index Takeaways

• Standout Walking Trails: Eastbourne notably set itself apart with 35 coastal walking trails, which is more than double the 14 trails found in rival resort Bournemouth. 
• Overall Score: The town achieved an index score of 49.03 out of 100. 
• Regional Standing: While Eastbourne comfortably cleared the top 10, fellow South Coast destinations Bournemouth (78.82) and Brighton (67.47) led the overall league table. 

The Top 10 Coastal Holiday Resorts

According to the GJW Direct British Coastal Index, the top-rated seaside towns are ranked as follows: 

1. Bournemouth (78.82 / 100)
2. Brighton (67.47)
3. Southend-on-Sea (66.32)
4. Great Yarmouth (63.55)
5. Blackpool (61.15)
6. Newquay (56.57)
7. Scarborough (50.20)
8. Whitby (49.42)
9. Eastbourne (49.03)
10. Weymouth (47.94) 

What Makes Eastbourne a Top Destination?

Beyond its high volume of walking routes, Eastbourne's enduring appeal stems from a blend of traditional Victorian charm and rising cultural status: 

• The Landscape: Visitors praise its pristine four-mile shingle beach and the dramatic chalk cliffs of nearby Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. 
• Victorian Heritage: Features like the iconic 1,000-foot Victorian pier and the historic seafront bandstand remain massive draws for day-trippers. 
• Cultural Rebrand: The town has shaken off its sleepy reputation, fueled heavily by contemporary art spaces like the Towner Eastbourne gallery, which hosted the prestigious Turner Prize.