Queen Victoria graces 5th Eastbourne Victorian Festival

Eastbourne, that most glorious of Victorian towns, with its pristine promenade, grand hotels, splendid theatres and noble churches welcomes visitors from far and near to its 5th Victorian Festival, taking place from 27th September to the 5th October.

The Festival will be inaugurated by Her Imperial Majesty, Queen Victoria, travelling from Victoria Station on a special Southern Railway train. Her Majesty will be accompanied by her lone piper, numerous Ladies-in-Waiting and a melodious choir.

A bumper programme of over forty five events commemorating Eastbourne’s proud heritage and bringing entertainment for all will be headed by the internationally renowned King’s Singers. This six-strong a capella vocal ensemble appears in Eastbourne for the first time, coincident with their 40th anniversary. A never-to-be-repeated event.

Former ‘Young Musician of the year’ the wonderful clarinettist, Emma Johnson M.B.E, has also agreed to play in the grandest of Eastbourne’s Victorian churches, St. Saviour’s and St. Peter’s.

For television aficionados Paul Atterbury and Hilary Kay of Antiques Roadshow fame will reveal amusing secrets about their popular programme. The great figures of the early days of photography will be presented by another television star, Gerry Badger, author of ‘the Genius of Photography’.

The Redoubt Fortress will set spines tingling with a Ghost Hunt. Another unique event. The week culminates with our famous Music Hall at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre. Just a few of the highlights of a cornucopia of entertainment in the best venues of Eastbourne.

If your taste is for Sport, Variety, Food, Operetta, Guided Walks or Victorian Fayres, then the Festival has something for you.

Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Steve Wallis, praised the Festival’s ‘jam-packed’ programme. “The Victorian Festival promises a week of activities that will keep the whole family busy and bring the community together to celebrate our Victorian roots.”

Eastbourne is not only the most welcoming of resorts on the South Coast - the town boasts accommodation to suit every taste, from the Grand Hotel to friendly guest houses.

For a detailed programme of events in the Festival go to eastbournevictorianfestival.org.uk.