Cottages in Eastbourne

What's available

BritStays lists 34 cottages in the Eastbourne area of East Sussex. Almost all of them, 33 in total, are in Eastbourne itself. The one exception is The Cart Lodge in Battle, which sleeps 4. Every stay here is a cottage, so there are no hotels or caravans to sort through. The choice comes down to size, location and how you plan to get about.

The example stays show that most cottages here suit small groups, sleeping between 2 and 6 people. If you're travelling as a large party, you'll find few options and should plan accordingly.

Coast or countryside?

Our listings don't label individual cottages as coastal or rural, and names can mislead. A cottage called Beach House or Coast Lodge may or may not be close to the sea, so check the map on each listing before you commit. Nearly everything is in Eastbourne, which makes it the natural base if you want the coast and the Seven Sisters Cliffs within easy reach. If you'd rather stay away from Eastbourne, The Cart Lodge in Battle is currently the only alternative in this set.

Choosing by who's coming

Matching the cottage to your group is the most useful filter here, because sizes vary quite a bit.

• Couples: Fig Tree Barn and The Cabin both sleep 2. Coast Lodge sleeps 3, which gives a little extra room or space for a friend.
• Small families of four: Number 5, Giddy Cottage, Fig Cottage and The Cart Lodge all sleep 4.
• Families of five: Beach House, Kingsway Court, Dougies Retreat and Chestnut Lodge each sleep 5.
• Groups of six: Pevensey Bay Retreats, Seven Sisters House and Beachy Barn are the largest of the example stays.

If you're bringing a dog, our data doesn't show which of these cottages accept pets. Read each listing carefully and confirm the rules with the owner before you book. Check whether there's a limit on the number or size of dogs, and whether there's an extra charge.

Getting there and getting around

Transport is where the facility data is most useful. Of the 34 cottages, 21 are near a bus stop, 9 are near a train station and 11 have EV charging nearby. If you're travelling without a car, Beach House, Kingsway Court, Dougies Retreat and Number 5 are worth a look, because each is near both a bus stop and a train station. All four also have EV charging nearby if you're driving an electric car.

Pevensey Bay Retreats, Seven Sisters House, The Cabin and Coast Lodge are near a train station and EV charging but aren't listed as near a bus stop. Fig Tree Barn, Beachy Barn, Giddy Cottage, Chestnut Lodge and Fig Cottage are near a bus stop only. No facilities are listed for The Cart Lodge, so it's sensible to assume you'll want a car there.

What to do once you're there

The Seven Sisters Cliffs are the area's best-known stretch of coast and the obvious first outing. For some history, Redoubt Fortress covers castle and heritage interest. Charleston House in East Sussex is a good choice for a quieter day indoors.

If you're happy to travel further, there are plenty of museums for a rainy day:

• In Hastings: The True CRIME Museum, Rye Castle Museum and Rye Castle Museum at Ypres Tower.
• In Brighton: the Brighton Toy and Model Museum and Hove Museum. Saltdean Lido is also there, if the weather suits a swim.
• In West Sussex: the Doll's House Museum, which may appeal to families with younger children.

Check opening times and booking requirements with each attraction before you set off, as these can change with the seasons.

When to book

We don't publish availability data, so we can't tell you exactly how quickly cottages fill up. With 34 cottages, mostly sleeping between 2 and 6, the choice is reasonable for couples and small families. Larger groups have far fewer options. If you need space for six, book as early as you can, especially for school holidays and bank holiday weekends. If your dates are flexible, travelling midweek or outside the main holidays usually gives you more choice.

Before you pay, it's worth checking:

• the exact location on the map, if being near the coast matters to you
• whether the cottage is near a bus stop or train station, if you're not driving
• whether EV charging is nearby, if you have an electric car
• the pet policy, confirmed with the owner
• the sleeping arrangements, not just the total the cottage sleeps