Eastbourne Airshow - advice please

[Cadiz Seagull]

Going with Commander and his missus and two of my grandchildren on the Sunday. I've never been before, would we be better to go by train and walk to the seafront or drive and park either near the seafront (which I assume is going to be impossible) or somewhere out of town? Grandchildren are still quite small, one is a baby and the other is 2 and a bit so we'll have buggies and ideally need to have something to keep the elder grandson amused if he gets bored with the planes and preferably somewhere with toilets or baby changing facilities.

All suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Gazwag]

It's train strike week

Edit: but you are going Sunday, but still trains will no doubt be an issue and they have a queuing system to get home which might not be ideal for little ones

 

[The Andy Naylor Fan Club]

We have used the park and ride bus service. All you need to know.

http://www.eastbourneairshow.com/News.aspx
Plan Visit > getting here.


This year we are planning to watch from Beachy Head.

 

[LamieRobertson]

We have used the park and ride bus service. All you need to know.

http://www.eastbourneairshow.com/News.aspx
Plan Visit > getting here.


This year we are planning to watch from Beachy Head.

Do you know if it gets busy at BH ..watching the air show

 

[happypig]

I'd park in either the station or Junction road car park and walk or get a taxi to the seafront.

 

[The Andy Naylor Fan Club]

Do you know if it gets busy at BH ..watching the air show

Not too sure. This will be our first year going up there.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Not too sure. This will be our first year going up there.

Seems a good idea

 

[The Andy Naylor Fan Club]

Seems a good idea

We love going to Eastbourne Air show but find that it seems to get busier and busier each year, taking some of the enjoyment out of the day with the packed seafront and all seating gone. Not to mention driving in and out of Eastbourne itself. You are not going to be as close to the action but we are hoping the views avaiable will make up for that.

 

[Steve in Japan]

Beachy Head gives a quite different view of proceedings. Not bad as you see some planes lining up but the focus of the display is really the pier. I would drive, get there reasonably early and park for free somewhere in the side streets between Seaside (road) and the Seafront. Then walk to seafront aiming for east of the Pier.

 

[Steve in Japan]

Cafe in the Redoubt Fort has toilets for the grandchildren. Not a terrible view from there either, you'll still see a fair bit if you need a pitstop.

 

[LamieRobertson]

We love going to Eastbourne Air show but find that it seems to get busier and busier each year, taking some of the enjoyment out of the day with the packed seafront and all seating gone. Not to mention driving in and out of Eastbourne itself. You are not going to be as close to the action but we are hoping the views avaiable will make up for that.

I've never been ...having lived in Shoreham all my life you'll know where I normally go...but this year is obviously different,

 

[juliant]

I would forget the trains. They are normally a mare after with a queuing system.The park and rides get very very busy and slow after the event as with any venue but there is a good one near the sovereign centre. I would park there or one of the side roads around that are as all free. Get the PnR in but walk back as will probably be quicker. I think its probably a mile from the pier but an easy flat stroll.

There are loads of things to keep the kids amused from trampoline and bouncy castles etc.Just be aware that there will be loads of stalls to fleece you for the grand kids !

Enjoy the day, fingers crossed the sun is out !

 

[HAILSHAM SEAGULL]

We live about 6 miles away and traffic/driving can be a nightmare.
If you can go by train, then park at Polegate and get the train.
If you have to drive, then you can probably park near the marina end but you will have to walk a mile and half to get to the pier area. You may be better off using the park and ride if you have kiddies.
The down side is trying to get out of Eastbourne after, due to traffic, be prepared for a 2 hour crawl to get back to the A22 at Polegate.
The other option is to park at Beachy Head and watch from there.We have done that, and its good, you get a great view of all the planes, cos they fly past there, we
were there one year and the Red Arrows were doing their display and one flew over so low, I swear you could see his face.
Be aware they charge for parking up there, last time I went it was £5'er I think, but its still a crap crawl trying to get home.
If the trains are running, that is your best bet, 10/15 minute walk to the seafront area.

 

[SteveTheSeagull]

I'm working on the seafront on Airbourne. I am not pleased. All 4 days too Going to bring out all the dick heads. All i need

 

[wakeytom]

We live about 6 miles away and traffic/driving can be a nightmare.
If you can go by train, then park at Polegate and get the train.
If you have to drive, then you can probably park near the marina end but you will have to walk a mile and half to get to the pier area. You may be better off using the park and ride if you have kiddies.
The down side is trying to get out of Eastbourne after, due to traffic, be prepared for a 2 hour crawl to get back to the A22 at Polegate.
The other option is to park at Beachy Head and watch from there.We have done that, and its good, you get a great view of all the planes, cos they fly past there, we
were there one year and the Red Arrows were doing their display and one flew over so low, I swear you could see his face.
Be aware they charge for parking up there, last time I went it was £5'er I think, but its still a crap crawl trying to get home.
If the trains are running, that is your best bet, 10/15 minute walk to the seafront area.

I wouldnt even come as close as that for the train, parents live in the country and came to visit us in Polegate via Hailsham last year and took best part of an hour from there due to the traffic and madness around the McDonalds roundabout / A27 junction

 

[Notters]

Whenever we've been we've just parked on side streets up the Holywell end of town though I guess it's been a few years.

 

[jamie the seagull]

Be aware that the free parking on the seafront has been cancelled this year which will put pressure on the free parking around Holleywell.
The only way to avoid traffic is to get there early and leave early.

 

[jamie the seagull]

Flight schedules are normally released beforehand and I find busy times depend on whether the red arrows open or close the show.
If you choose beach get there early (10:30) and do the display area to keep kids busy before flights start.
Spent a day on beachy head last year with parking £5. Most of the planes bank there before going down to display.
As mentioned in a previous thread,when the red arrows have finished their display turn round and face East Dean as 2 of then fly over you so close you can touch them (you forget they have gone behind you as part of the end display so fly out to sea to catch the rest of the team).

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Thanks for the suggestions so far folks. Does anyone know whether you can see much from further east, say Bexhill or even Hastings?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I remember the good old days when Sussex still played cricket at the Saffrons. Play would be suspended to allow low-flying aircraft to swoop over the ground and entertain us all. Marvellous scenes.