The area we now call Eastbourne has been settled since 500BC when nomadic Celts put down roots and started farming on the South Downs.

In 43AD, the Romans developed farms, built pavements and baths, the ruins of which were discovered in 1712 and 1841 opposite where the pier now stands. There is also evidence of Roman mosaic flooring beneath the Burlington Hotel.

However, before the famous Dr Richard Russell wrote about the medical benefits of the seaside in 1752, Eastbourne barely existed.

The town grew in popularity following a royal holiday visit by four of George III’s offspring in 1870, and became known as the Empress of Watering Places, while Brighton was merely the Queen of Watering Places.

It was following the arrival of the railway in 1849 that Eastbourne started to expand rapidly into the town that is famous for its pier, cliffs, tennis and its air show.

Its sheltered position in the lee of the South Downs gives the town its famously high sunshine record - the highest recorded amount of sunshine in Britain in a month - 383.9 hours in July 1911.

Eastbourne, like many other East Sussex resorts, was seen as a first line of defence against an invasion by France during the Napoleonic wars and is the site of one of the famous Redoubt Towers, which along with the smaller Martello Towers, dot the coastline.

During WWII the town was badly bombed and it was known as the most raided town in the south east.

Eastbourne’s Grand Hotel was for many years the venue for the BBC’s popular Palm Court Orchestra’s Sunday night broadcasts and composer Claude Debussy stayed at the hotel whilst writing La Mer.

Last year the town’s pier became the latest seaside pier to suffer a major fire. Fortunately the town didn’t wait around for someone else to restore the structure and work is now underway to return the pier to its former glory.

Wimbledon's Centre Court may need a roof to protect against rain but with Eastbourne's excellent weather Devonshire Park, which hosts the annual AEGON International Tennis Championships, has no such problem. The best female tennis players from around the world come to play in this annual tournament and this year men have been invited too.

Along with Devonshire Park, Eastbourne has three other council-owned theatres, Royal Hippodrome, Congress and Winter Garden, all hosting a range of concerts, plays and musicals. There is also the historic Lamb Inn and Theatre, built in the 14th century, where Charles Dickens performed amateur dramatics during the 1830s.

A few miles to the north-east is the village of Pevensey and the famous Pevensey Bay, landing place of William the Conqueror and his invading army in 1066.

Mason Bryant sales director Katy Tsigarides said: “Pevensey Bay is a wonderful place to settle.“The bay has extensive pebble and sand beaches with safe bathing in clean waters. Wind and kite surfing along with angling are popular pursuits. The Napoleonic Martello Towers that stand on this stretch of coast are well preserved have mostly been converted into homes, they add a touch of history. The high street has a range of shops, pubs and eateries to suit all tastes.

“Its real popularity lies in being natural and unspoilt, free from the noise and congestion of the larger resorts. Swimming, boating, relaxing, long evening walks, warm lazy days and quiet tranquillity add to living in the bay.

“The bay itself is one of the few remaining coastline areas in Sussex where buyers can purchase homes directly on the beach, with private beach frontages and uninterrupted sea and coastal views.”

Neil Gamble, Hopkins and Partners said: “Eastbourne is a great place to live for people of all ages. It has a reputation as a resort for the retired and whilst this is now an outdated opinion, Eastbourne's older, well monied, generation ensure the town is well kept and attractive place for tourists to visit.

It is a fantastic town to bring up a family with a great mix of schools including high quality public schools, plus leisure facilities on the seafront and elsewhere including theatres, lots of parks, gardens and a great choice of sporting clubs, including a plethora of golf clubs and cricket teams. Not forgetting that the town sits at the foot of the South Downs providing a wonderful access to countryside just a short stroll/drive away.

The choice of restaurants and bars have improved in both number and quality beyond measure in the past ten years and the number of independent shops now provide a much better shopping experience, this needs improving which is on the agenda for the local council as if you want to find the quality shops and brands then you need to travel elsewhere to do so. You will go a long way to find a seaside town that is as attractive and worth visiting in the winter as much as it is in the summer.