The sunniest place in the UK

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

After a week in London, it was time to move on. It hardly seems like a week ago that we arrived in England and had our first meal at an English pub. It seems like so much longer than that. We’ve done so much and seen so many things, yet barely scraped the surface.

After getting a minor hiccup with our next hotel reservation sorted, we checked out of the Imperial Hotel in Bloomsbury. We had to get to Victoria Station for our train to Eastbourne, and decided that the best way to do this with luggage would be without having to change tube services. So rather than walk the couple of blocks to Russell Square Station and have to change onto the Victoria line, we got a cab to Kings Cross Station so we only had to get on one train. It was £10 well spent.

The cab driver might have muttered something like ‘feels like you’ve got a house in there’ as he helped us get our luggage out of the cab, and we’re still not sure why the bags are suddenly 5kg heavier than when we arrived. I just hope I’m not 5kg heavier.

The train to Eastbourne was with Southern Rail, and it took about an hour and a half. Somewhere along the way it started to rain, and I wondered if finally I might get some use out of the extravagant purchase that was my travel coat. I packed for cooler weather and possible rain, neither of which have eventuated. I have way too many cool weather clothes and nowhere near enough warm weather ones. Who’d have thought.

We arrived in Eastbourne just before midday and took another cab to our hotel. First cab on the rank rule applies here, as we found when we thought we’d take the second-in-line van for our luggage, rather than the sedan at the front. It fitted easily though, so we were fine.

We have a beautiful sea view room, and the hotel feels very swanky. I feel very under-dressed.

I think if you add my and Lil Sis’ ages together you might get the average age of the guests here.

Unlike our London hotel, this one has a fridge in the room, and it even has a library. There are small bowls of sugar cubes on the table in the bar complete with little tongs. It’s a bit posh!

We can see the Eastbourne Pier from our window – part of this burnt down a couple of months ago, which is sad, as this is one of Eastbourne’s iconic attractions. I believe the rest of the pier was re-opened to the public on the weekend, so we should be able to go and have a look.

Our first stop after checking in was the Rainbows Launderette in Seaview Road (the road doesn’t actually have a sea view). The man there was lovely and very helpful and I give this place the thumbs up. While our washing was washing, we walked through the town to the Visitor Centre to pick up some brochures. Eastbourne seems to be one of those places where there’s the tourist centre (aka the beachfront, with its row of massive hotels) and the town centre which is the real world.

Right now we’re in the bar looking out over the beach, sampling the different beers. The WiFi is a lot better here than in our rooms (the receptionist asked if we wanted WiFi when we got here, adding ‘you look like the type of people who do’ – I guess pulling out the iPad to give her our reservation details gave that away), so sadly I might be spending a lot of time here.

I’m very sad about this.

Cheers.