A NEW visitor attraction exploring Beachy Head’s history, landscape and coastal secrets will open this Saturday, October 24.
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The Beachy Head Experience will welcome its first visitors at the former Beachy Head Story venue, with interactive exhibitions, walking trails and a green screen studio where visitors can create a video of themselves flying above the cliffs.
Local community interest company Animazing has taken on the venue through a lease agreement with Eastbourne Borough Council. The opening follows 18 months of preparation and gives the organisation its first permanent home.
At the heart of the attraction is a permanent exhibition, Lighthouses, Landscapes & Legends, which explores the formation of the chalk cliffs, the history of Beachy Head’s two lighthouses and Cold War secrets beneath the headland.
A four-metre-long computer-generated model shows how the cliffs formed, while hands-on exhibits allow visitors to try sending messages using Morse code and semaphore flags.
Other activities explore coastal navigation and weather, alongside a video telescope offering a closer look at the surrounding landscape.
Visitors can also use the green screen studio to make a video of themselves soaring above Beachy Head and Belle Tout lighthouses, with a digital copy included in admission.
Animazing has spent the past decade creating family attractions in Eastbourne, Hailsham and Hellingly, including its Story of Children’s Television exhibitions and Enchanted Forest Adventure outdoor theatre experience.
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.”
Admission includes three days’ access to the Beachy Head Trails app, featuring eight walking routes across the Eastbourne Downland Estate, East Dean, Meads and Eastbourne seafront.
The routes include maps, photographs, walking instructions and observation quizzes. A free activity pack is also available for younger visitors.
Eastbourne Borough Council’s lead member for tourism and 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!”
Temporary exhibitions and events are planned for the coming year, and space will be available for local community groups to hire.
The centre will remain home to the Downland Ranger, with its team also working alongside the Beachy Head Ambassadors and Chaplaincy Team.
The Beachy Head Experience, on Beachy Head Road next to the Beachy Head Pub, will open daily during half term, from October 24 to November 1, between 10am and 4pm. Last admission is at 3pm.
From November 6, it will open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets cost £10 for adults and £6 for under-18s, with free entry for children under three and carers. Ticket holders can return within six months for half-price admission.
The gift shop is free to enter and will sell locally inspired gifts, books, photographs, artwork, maps and guides. Parking is available on site.
For more information, visit www.beachyheadexperience.co.uk.
