Eastbourne, a favourite Sussex watering-place, in the Rape of Pevensey, nearly midway between Brighton and Hastings, and 66 miles S. of London. Roman remains bear witness to its antiquity, but nothing is known of its ancient history. In Domesday it is called Borne (after the burn or stream which still flows here). The fine 12th-century church clearly belonged to a much more important place than the four groups of houses and cottages which constituted the fishing-hamlets of East-Borne, South-Borne, Meads, and Sea-Houses, not a century ago. The last generation has witnessed the growth of the modern watering-place, which now challenges comparison, in respect of its attractions to visitors and advantages to residents, with any of its south-coast rivals. Its air is singularly healthy, and on the hillside bracing; whilst the close vicinity of the bold promontory of Beachy Head and the 'front-hills of the South Downs affords unusual facilities for exercise. Defended by a redoubt of eleven guns and other fortifications, the sea-front boasts a parade two miles long, laid out in spacious terraces in three tiers, bordered by creeping plants. The streets are broad and lined with trees; and there are a pier 1000 feet long, the Devonshire Park, the Devonshire Baths, theatre, cricket, football, and other clubs, admirable golf-links, electric-lighting, etc. A large part of the improvements is due to the late Duke of Devonshire, but the town has also taken an enterprising share in them. The town-hall, costing £46,000, was opened in 1886, and the Princess Alice Memorial Hospital in 1883. Eastbourne was incorporated as a borough in 1882. Pop.

(1821) 2007; (1861) 5795; (1901) 43,344. See Chambers' Handbook for Eastbourne (23d ed. 1893).