New Beachy Head Visitor Attraction Takes Flight This Weekend

20th October 2026

A brand-new visitor attraction opens at Beachy Head this Saturday 24 October, combining exhibitions and walking trails with a Hollywood-style green screen filming experience.      

The Beachy Head Experience is a new exhibition opening at the former Beachy Head Story venue following a lease agreement between Eastbourne Borough Council and Animazing C.I.C. to operate as a visitor attraction all year round. The new attraction promises a reimagined visitor experience, mixing technology, hand crafted models and hands-on interactive exhibits with the great outdoors.

The Lighthouses, Landscapes & Legends permanent exhibition, will reveal the fascinating history of the cliffs, lighthouses and more, before visitors head out into the South Downs National Park and newly formed Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve using an innovative digital trails app to guide the rest of their visit.

Visitors can see the formation of some of the world’s most famous white cliffs unfold in front of their eyes through a giant four-metre-long computer-generated model, before learning about the two famous lighthouses and the Cold War secrets, which lie directly underneath the headland.

In a fun twist, all visitors will be able to take flight above Beachy Head and Belle Tout lighthouses without leaving the ground, in the attraction’s green screen video studio, with a free video to take home as a memento.

Hands-on interactive exhibits will feature activities themed around the coast, navigation, weather and more, including the chance to send messages using morse code or semaphore flags. Visitors can also take a closer look at the spectacular view with the video telescope, and measure the height of Beachy Head, the UK's highest chalk sea cliff, using their own stature as a unit of measurement.

The new attraction is the result of 18 months of hard work behind the scenes by Animazing, who will bring the exciting project to life in what will be their first permanent venue. The local community interest company has been creating family-friendly exhibitions and experiences for the last ten years in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Hellingly, including their Story of Children's Television exhibitions and Enchanted Forest Adventure interactive outdoor theatre experience.

Animazing founder and Director Paul Young said, "We're so excited to be bringing this brand-new fully interactive educational experience to life at Beachy Head and we look forward to meeting visitors from East Sussex and across the globe very soon."

Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism & Place, Cllr Jenny Williams said, “Congratulations to the Animazing team for their sensational work in producing this creative and inspiring new attraction and bringing a piece of movie magic to this world-renowned stretch of scenic coastline. This is sure to be a big hit with families this half term!”

Included in the admission fee is three days of free access to the Beachy Head Trails app featuring eight trails across the Eastbourne Downland Estate, East Dean, Meads and Eastbourne seafront. Each trail includes maps, images, detailed walking instructions, and quiz questions to test observation skills. For younger visitors there is also a free activity pack.

An ever-changing calendar of events and temporary exhibitions are being planned for the coming year and hire space is available for local community groups. The centre will continue to be home to the Downland Ranger, while the centre team will also work closely with the Beachy Head Ambassadors and Chaplaincy Team.

The Beachy Head Experience is open every day during half term from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November from 10am to 4pm (last admission 3pm) and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 November. The centre is located on Beachy Head Road next to the Beachy Head Pub, and a car park is available on site.

Admission costs £10 per adult, £6 for under 18s and under 3s and carers go free. Ticket includes entry to the visitor centre and exhibitions, three days of free access to the Beachy Head Trails app and a Flight Over Beachy Head video to take home from the green screen experience. Ticketholders can return at any time within six months at half price.

Admission to the gift shop is free, stocking a range of locally inspired and sourced gifts, books, photographs and art, maps and guides, with free advice to visitors and local residents alike.

For more information visit www.beachyheadexperience.co.uk.