A Sussex town has been crowned the best place to visit in the UK.

TimeOut gave Eastbourne the top spot in its 15 best places to visit in the UK in 2023.

Conde Nast Traveller also included the resort town in its top 13 destinations to visit in the UK next year.

Eastbourne Borough Council’s lead member for tourism and culture Councillor Margaret Bannister said the council is overjoyed by the news and said there is plenty to expect from the town next year.

“We’re delighted to have been selected as the top place to visit in 2023 by Time Out,” she said. 

“We really are gearing up for an incredible year ahead, from the return of our award-winning free air show in August to top tennis stars at the Rothesay International in June, leading West End shows at the Devonshire Quarter and of course the phenomenal Turner Prize in the autumn, where we will see all four shortlisted artists showcased across the entire gallery space for three and a half months.

“However, this is just the start – with work progressing on Levelling Up plans for an arts, education and cultural centre on the downland and a vibrant artisan-style food street’ in Victoria Place, Eastbourne’s rise to fame is set to continue, as we welcome millions of visitors to the town.”

Tourism is worth £530 million to the local economy, supporting 28 per cent of all jobs in the resort town, and there were 5.46 million visitors in 2019.

TimeOut said of the seaside town: “This coastal town might conjure up images of OAPs on coach holidays, pesky pebbles in your jelly shoes and hordes of tennis fans at Rothesay International, but Eastbourne is well on its way to becoming an established hub for creatives.

“The Towner Eastbourne, an eye-catching gallery sporting a vibrant mural by German artist Lothar Götz, has been selected as the official host of the 2023 Turner Prize (from September 28), to tie in with the venue’s centenary year.

“While you’re in town, it’s also worth heading out to the South Downs National Park, perhaps during the Eastbourne Walking Festival (September 16 to 25), just before the launch of the Turner.”