Holiday Parks Eastbourne: The Best Caravan and Lodge Parks Near the Beach and the South Downs

Welcome to Eastbourne, the Sussex seaside resort famous for its Victorian pier, the white cliffs of Beachy Head and the green ridges of the South Downs National Park rising right behind the town. Picture the day: a bracing clifftop walk in the morning, fish and chips on the prom at lunch, then a sunset over the Seven Sisters before you head back to your static caravan. Condé Nast Traveller named it one of the best seaside towns in England, and you’ll soon see why.

Booking one of the holiday parks Eastbourne has close by gives you the best of both worlds. Pevensey Bay Holiday Park sits on the beach about 10 minutes from the pier, and within 35 minutes you’ll find hot tub lodges in the High Weald and on the edge of the downs. Everything you need is on site, from a heated indoor pool to play areas and a clubhouse, so the kids are happy and you get time to relax.

Every park below is one you can book with us in East Sussex.

What makes Eastbourne such a good holiday park base?

It’s the mix. Spend the morning by the sea, then walk the first stretch of the South Downs Way, the 100 mile trail from here to Winchester.

Don’t miss

• Eastbourne Pier – A Victorian pier with arcades, cafes and sweet shops.
• Sovereign Harbour – Perfect for a family stroll with an ice cream in hand, with waterfront restaurants overlooking the boats.
• Beachy Head and Birling Gap – See the famous white cliffs and the red and white lighthouse far below.
• Events – Magnificent Motors on the early May bank holiday weekend, the Beer and Cider by the Sea festival in May, the Lexus Eastbourne Open tennis at Devonshire Park in June and Airbourne, the free airshow, in mid August.

Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters

Pull on your walking boots and head up to Beachy Head, where the chalk drops around 150 metres straight into the Channel and the striped lighthouse looks like a toy below. It’s breezy up there. From the car park, an easy coastal path of about 4.5km runs west to Birling Gap, where the National Trust has a cafe and a staircase down to the pebbles. Keep going and the Seven Sisters roll away west, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coast in the south of England.

Both car parks charge, though National Trust members park free at Birling Gap.

Further on, Seven Sisters Country Park at Exceat covers 280 hectares of chalk grassland and river valley, with an easy access trail beside the River Cuckmere.

The seafront and the Bandstand

The town’s shore is mostly shingle, with sand and rock pools appearing at low tide, so pack a windbreak and some water shoes. Between the pier and the Bandstand, the Carpet Gardens put on a bright show each summer. Its season runs from May to October, with tribute nights, brass bands and the 1812 firework proms.

A small fire on 30 August 2026 was put out within the hour with no one hurt, but check what’s open before you walk out to the end.

Pevensey Castle, Drusillas and rainy day activities for kids

History lovers, this one’s for you! Pevensey Castle, begun around AD 290, was the biggest of the Roman Saxon Shore forts, and William the Conqueror landed here in 1066 to start his invasion of England. It’s a few minutes from Pevensey Bay Holiday Park, though English Heritage cuts its opening days in winter.

On a rainy day, Fort Fun on Royal Parade has multi-level indoor soft play, plus outdoor rides and adventure golf. Near Alfriston, Drusillas Park is a small zoo built around younger children, and Towner Eastbourne is a free art gallery, open Tuesday to Sunday.

Getting to Eastbourne by train or car

Direct Southern trains run from London Victoria to the town in around an hour and 40 minutes. Driving, leave the M25 at junction 7 for the M23. Then follow the A27 towards Lewes and Polegate and turn onto the A22 into town.

How close are the best holiday parks Eastbourne has to offer?

Pevensey Bay is the closest. The others sit in the Weald woodland near Battle, in farmland near Lewes, or along the coast towards Rye, all within an hour’s drive.

The best caravan parks and lodges near Eastbourne

We’ve looked through the facilities, locations and guest ratings to pick the closest parks. Drive times are from the town centre.

1. Pevensey Bay Holiday Park – the closest park to Eastbourne

Pevensey Bay, South East England » East Sussex

Pevensey Bay – 10 mins’ drive – sleeps up to 8 – pets welcome, pool

You’re close enough to pop into town for a cheeky fish and chips. The shingle is right on your doorstep, and when the British weather does its worst there’s a heated indoor pool, a gym and a steam room to fall back on.

Accommodation – Static caravans and lodges sleeping up to 8, some of them pet friendly.

Onsite facilities – The Boathouse bar and restaurant has an outdoor terrace, and there’s a 9-hole golf course, a shop, a multi-sports court and a launderette too.

For kids – A toddler pool, an adventure playground and an amusement arcade, plus daytime activities and evening shows in the school holidays. You might even get a moment’s peace with a cup of tea!

Check availability at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park >>

2. Crowhurst Park Lodges – hot tubs and a spa near Battle

Battle, East Sussex

Battle – 34 mins’ drive – sleeps up to 6 – hot tubs, pool

Set in the grounds of a 17th century country estate, this award winning development has far reaching views, and the Manor House at its heart holds the bars, family areas and a coffee lounge. Rainy days are covered too, with an indoor pool, a children’s pool, a spa bath, sauna and steam room, and a beauty therapy suite where treatments cost extra.

Woodland walks start from the door, and the coast is a short drive.

3. Swanborough Lakes Luxury Lodges – a couples’ retreat in the downs

Lewes, East Sussex

Lewes – 33 mins’ drive – sleeps up to 4 – hot tubs, pets welcome

Tucked into farmland inside the national park, these lodges look across the water to historic Lewes and its castle. Each has panoramic views from every room, two super king beds and a terrace with its own outdoor hot tub. It’s rated 4.9, the highest of any park here.

Fancy a cold dip? Wild swimming comes with qualified lifeguards, and there’s a wood-fired sauna run with Nomadic Sauna.

4. Coghurst Hall – a family friendly park by Hastings

Hastings, East Sussex

Near Hastings – 38 mins’ drive – sleeps up to 10 – pets welcome, pool

Hidden in a tree-lined valley, this woodland park centres on well-stocked fishing water with some monster carp, so pack the rod (a licence is needed). There’s family entertainment, a heated pool, amusements and a playground. Some holiday homes sleep up to 10.

5. Shear Barn Holiday Park – sea views over Hastings

Hastings, East Sussex

Hastings – 43 mins’ drive – sleeps up to 6 – hot tubs, pets welcome, pool

Shear Barn is a 15 minute walk from the long shingle shore, the cobbled streets of the old town and its farmers markets. Back on the park, there’s a clubhouse looking out to sea and a heated pool open through the day.

Some homes have hot tubs, and there’s a renovated holiday home with a wet room, widened doorways and level access that’s suitable for wheelchair users.

6. Winchelsea Sands – a pool and entertainment near Camber

Rye, East Sussex

Rye – 51 mins’ drive – sleeps up to 10 – pets welcome, outdoor pool

Between the historic towns of Rye and Hastings, this one has an entertainment venue (busiest at weekends and in summer) and an outdoor swimming pool. It’s the furthest from Eastbourne, but you’re near the golden sand at Camber, which our Camber Sands guide covers in full.

Looking for one of the big brand family resorts?

Many people searching for caravan parks near Eastbourne want a big brand resort with flumes and nightly shows. The largest sit further east along the coast, and most are booked direct with their own operator.

If you want that resort feel and the chance to book it here, Coghurst Hall and Winchelsea Sands come closest, with entertainment, amusements and pools.

Caravans, lodges or holiday homes: which suits your stay?

Static caravans are the budget-friendly pick for families who’ll be out all day. Lodges cost more, but you get extra space, better insulation for an autumn or winter break and, at Crowhurst, Swanborough and Shear Barn, a private hot tub to sink into after a long walk.

Sharing one bigger holiday home with friends or another family often works out cheaper per head than two smaller ones.

Hot tub and dog-friendly holiday parks near Eastbourne

Want a hot tub? Crowhurst Park, Swanborough Lakes and Shear Barn all have them, and our hot tub holiday park search shows every one on the site. Five of the six parks here welcome dogs, and there are more in our dog-friendly park search.

Dogs are not allowed on the main town beach between the Wish Tower and Eastbourne Pier from 1 May to 30 September. The Royal Parade beaches east of the pier welcome dogs all year, and the downs are perfect for a long run, though keep dogs on a lead near the cliff edge and around sheep.

Hoseasons holiday parks in Eastbourne and East Sussex

All six are Hoseasons parks you can reserve right here. Want to explore further? Browse every holiday park in South East England, or cross the border to the parks in Kent and in West Sussex.

Best time to visit Eastbourne

Summer brings the airshow and the tennis. Spring and autumn are quieter.

What to pack for an Eastbourne caravan holiday

Eastbourne holiday park FAQs

From a static caravan by the sea at Pevensey to a hot tub lodge in the hills, there’s something here for every kind of break. Have a look at holiday parks you can book across the UK, or start with the six above.