EASTBOURNE

eastbourne, a municipal borough (1883) in the eastbourne parliamentary division of sussex, england, 61 m. s.s.e. of london by the london, brighton & south coast railway. pop. (1891) 34,969; (1901) 43,344; (local census, 1909) 49,286. it is situated 3 m. n.e. of beachy head, the loftiest headland on the english channel coast. it once consisted of three parts--the village of east bourne, a mile inland; south bourne, lying back from the shore; and seahouses, facing the beach. the church of st mary, the ancient parish church of east bourne, is a fine transitional norman building; and there are numerous modern churches and chapels. the principal buildings and institutions are the town hall and municipal buildings, the princess alice memorial and other hospitals, a free library and, among many high-class schools, eastbourne college for boys, founded in 1867. there is a fine pier with pavilion, and a marine parade nearly 3 m. in extent, arranged in terraced promenades. devonshire park of 13 acres is pleasantly laid out, and contains a pavilion and a theatre. the duke of devonshire is the principal landowner. golf links are laid out on the neighbouring downs. a roman villa was formerly seen close to the shore, but it is not now visible. the corporation consists of a mayor, 8 aldermen and 24 councillors. in 1910 the corporation promoted a bill in parliament to add the hampden park district in the parish of willingdon to the borough and to make eastbourne, with this extension, a county borough.