A beach in Eastbourne at sunset with buildings along the seafront.

Retire to Eastbourne

With miles of Heritage Coast, a preserved Victorian seafront, and Brighton just a few miles away, Eastbourne is a great retirement home if you’re looking for exciting seaside adventures. With clear blue waters, green hills and a bustling town, retirement in Eastbourne can be as active or relaxing as you like.

Local retirees love:

  • Great balance of nature and modern life provided by access to the coast, cliffs, and countryside, with a well-equipped town centre.
  • Easy to navigate on foot, with shops and amenities within reasonable walking distance.
  • Idyllic setting that offers a relaxed yet well-connected lifestyle amongst a friendly community.
  • Discover what Eastbourne has to offer you in later life, and browse luxurious retirement apartments available with McCarthy & Stone.

1 retirement developments in Eastbourne

Explore places in the Eastbourne area

Retirement living in Eastbourne

If you’re seeking an active retirement in a thriving community, then look no further than Eastbourne. This brilliant East Sussex town has everything you need in a compact package, with everything you want within easy reach.

Shops and restaurants at Sovereign Harbour marina, Eastbourne.

Local amenities

Eastbourne is a pleasant place to live that offers the benefit of being a highly walkable town with fantastic amenities.

  • Groceries - Major supermarkets, like Sainsbury’s or Morrisons, and convenience stores are readily available to cover daily essentials.
  • Shopping - The town centre is a great shopping hub, with many high street brands and independent shops to enjoy.
  • GPs and pharmacies - Doctors’ surgeries and pharmacy services can be easily found in the centre and surrounding suburbs to support your everyday health and medication needs.
  • Hospitals - The main hospital is Eastbourne District General Hospital, a full-service hospital which has an A&E department. Buses run regularly to the hospital, so you don’t need to rely on access to a car.
Eastbourne Bandstand

Activities for retirees in Eastbourne

With top-class theatres, outdoor performances, and plenty of things to do, Eastbourne promises to keep you as busy as you want to be.

  • Theatre - Catch comedy and musicals at the historic Royal Hippodrome Theatre or watch outdoor concerts at the 1,600-capacity Eastbourne Bandstand, which hosts over 100 shows each year.
  • Historic sites - Admire the Victorian hotels and buildings developed by the Duke of Devonshire in the 19th century, take a stroll along Eastbourne Pier, or visit Hastings Castle and its historic battlefield a few miles down the road.
  • Museums - Discover the town’s extensive seafaring history at the Eastbourne RNLI Museum or explore modern and contemporary art at the Towner Art Gallery.
A couple people walking on a path with the Seven Sisters Cliffs in the background.

Enjoy an active retirement in Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a friendly and engaging town that empowers you to shape an active retirement.

  • Outdoor sports - Exercise in fresh air and open spaces. Kayak, sail, and surf along the Sussex coast, hike and cycle across the High Weald National Landscape, or join one of several golf courses and tennis clubs.
  • Countryside - Discover 700 acres of valleys and cliffs at Seven Sisters Country Park, where adventurers can cycle, hike, canoe, or watch birds.
  • Seaside - For a great day out by the sea, visit Beachy Head. Swim, sail and fish, or follow the path along its cliffs for breathtaking views.
  • Socialising - Let creativity flow at craft groups in Eastbourne’s growing art scene, join senior-friendly fitness classes, or make connections through volunteering.
The Eastbourne railway station building that features a clock tower.

Transport links and connections

Eastbourne is a great location for travel, with easy routes to bigger cities like Brighton, historic villages like Rye, and the wider UK.

  • By car - Several A roads pass through Eastbourne, including the A22, A27, and A259, which provide driving access to nearby locations, the M23, and London.
  • By bus - There are frequent services in Eastbourne, with many routes stopping at the hospital, making it easy to attend appointments.
  • By rail - Eastbourne train station provides rail links to London and other areas in the south.

Browse by Retirement Living services

Our retirement developments offer differing amenities and assisted living services. Choose from two options to find your perfect fit.

Retirement living in Eastbourne FAQs

Yes, the good public transport network makes it easy to travel around Eastbourne via bus or train. Many amenities, shops, and facilities can be reached on foot, and you can even walk to the seafront or take a short bus journey.

Absolutely. There are plenty of community spaces designed to encourage people to come together, while the town's coastal setting generally creates a social and engaging atmosphere that allows people to connect in nature. A stroll through the countryside or along the seafront is a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy the picturesque view every day.

There are several GP surgeries, pharmacies, and dentists across the town to meet your everyday health needs and medication requirements. Eastbourne also has its own hospital, the Eastbourne District General Hospital, where you can access acute treatment and outpatient services.

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