Getting to Eastbourne

By car:

I am not going to tell you the best way from your house! Use your sat nav or check out one of the websites that gives you directions. [I use http://maps.google.co.uk/]

But here are a couple of tips: If you go around the M25, Heathrow is often busier than Dartford, except during the peak times morning and evening when there is often congestion at the Dartford River Crossing. At Dartford there is a toll crossing which costs £2.50 for cars during the day [free 10:00pm – 6:00am]. The tolls are now electronic - so make sure you have paid online or by text to avoid hefty penalties.

There are 4 services on the M25: Clacket Lane between J5 and J6; Cobham between J9 and J10; South Mimms at J23 and A1(M) at J1; Thurrock J30 and J31 (just before the Dartford crossing)

• From London: Eastbourne can be reached by road via the M25, A22 and then the A2270.
• From Brighton and the west (A259): Visitors travelling east on the A259 should turn right on to Beachy Head Road (signposted) and then right to the seafront . If travelling on the A27 then use the A2270 (old A22) into Eastbourne.
• From the east (A259/A27): Visitors travelling east on the A259 should ignore A22 Eastbourne town centre signs and continue on to the large roundabout at the end of the Polegate by-pass then take the A2270.

When you arrive in Eastbourne follow signs for the seafront and head west. The hotel is opposite the Bandstand. You have to pay for most on-street parking although there are some adjacent roads which are unrestricted. The hotel has parking vouchers which cost £2 each but make sure you park in the allocated spaces. There is limited parking at the rear of the hotel, please request this in advance.

By train:

Eastbourne is approximately 1hr 40mins by train from London Victoria. 1hr from Gatwick and 40mins from Brighton.

There are discounted fares on Southern trains from London, especially if you book in advance. Contact their website for more information: http://www.southernrailway.com/

When you arrive at Eastbourne station you can either walk [about 15minutes] or get a taxi to the hotel. There are two exits from Eastbourne station. If you want to pick up a taxi go through the barriers and keep walking straight ahead (with the wall to your right. The taxi rank is right outside. Now here is a trick: the rank at the station only holds a few cars and later in the evening or early in the morning you may have to wait for a car to turn up. So when on the train join the front carriage as it is the closest to the exit from the platform and if you move quickish you may be at the front of the taxi queue!

By air

Airplane: If you are choosing to fly – remember to book now to get the cheapest deals. The nearest airport is Gatwick and you then follow the instructions for coming by train. The journey from Gatwick to Eastbourne is about an hour.

Helicopter: There are a number of allowed places to land your helicopter near the seafront. Your pilot will know them. Once you have landed, A quick phone call to the office giving details of your landing time will ensure that your personal shuttle transfer will be waiting at the pad!

By Sea

Arriving by yacht or motor boat cruiser to the National Playwork Conference has never been easier! Just sail into Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour http://www.premiermarinas.com/pages/sovereign_harbour_marina with their 'first class berths and facilities' From there getting to the Cavendish Hotel is even easier! A quick phone call to the office giving details of your berthing time will ensure that your personal shuttle transfer will be waiting at dockside!