Redoubt Fortress & The Pavilion
Redoubt Fortress & The Pavilion
Redoubt Fortress & The Pavilion
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
About
One of the South Coast's most historic landmarks, discover over 200 years of history at this Napoleonic Fortress.Built to defend the South Coast from Napoleon's forces it still stands as a unique monument to that time along with a vibrant events programme.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
444 reviews
Excellent
234
Very good
153
Average
43
Poor
8
Terrible
6
Adam B
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We visited at the end of July 21.
We had a brilliant visit so much to see and do our children loved it aged 7 and 10. It was very interactive and the guides were so helpful and spent alot of time explaining the items and history to my son.
Great views and great staff.
Definitely worth a visit
We had a brilliant visit so much to see and do our children loved it aged 7 and 10. It was very interactive and the guides were so helpful and spent alot of time explaining the items and history to my son.
Great views and great staff.
Definitely worth a visit
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul Legate
United Kingdom21,879 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
The Redoubt Fortress in Eastbourne is a fascinating place, it is a defence fort and circular in shape and is an impressive sight along the promenade to the east of Eastbourne Town Centre. It was built in 1805 and was built during the anti-invasion preparations at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and we were able to walk around the gun installations on the upper section, from the upper section we were able to get a grand view of the fortress which is truly impressive. It is an iconic structure along the south coast that is worth a visit.
Written October 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke May
High Wycombe, UK15 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
My friend and I visited the Redoubt for their special film screening on Halloween. Considering it was 8:30pm at night it must have been one of the few locations in Eastbourne which wasn't a night club and was actually open doing something. The venue was brilliant with around 50 odd people mingling and having laughs with each other, a real warm atmosphere to be had. When the time came we were ushered into the screening by a Werewolf! Despite his scary costume the gent was more than helpful and chatty with everyone.
I was impressed by the staff who took the time to thank us all for coming and made us feel special about being part of the screening. They personally thanked me and my friend for making the effort to dress up and it's little things like this which seem to stick in my mind and make an experience that much better, no one likes a miserable jobsworth and these lot were anything but that! You can tell they lot have passion for it!
The screening it's self was in one of the chambers (which I assume is where the soldiers back in the day would have slept) shown on a projector with a pretty decent sound setup, the room it's self was perfect for a small intimate screening and it was good seeing the staff ferrying drinks and popcorn from the Café just before the film began.
Overall I'd say this place has had a lot of love and care put into it, the building it's self is magnificent and the history to boot is truly fascinating, paired up with a brilliant location on the beach and within a 20 minute walk of the town center it's definitely somewhere I'd go back to if they did another evening like that!
This is one of those places which defines Eastbourne and makes it unique, if your a fan of seeing the same shops/attractions in all the towns in the UK then walk on, but if you fancy something a little different and special then I recommend paying them a visit!
I was impressed by the staff who took the time to thank us all for coming and made us feel special about being part of the screening. They personally thanked me and my friend for making the effort to dress up and it's little things like this which seem to stick in my mind and make an experience that much better, no one likes a miserable jobsworth and these lot were anything but that! You can tell they lot have passion for it!
The screening it's self was in one of the chambers (which I assume is where the soldiers back in the day would have slept) shown on a projector with a pretty decent sound setup, the room it's self was perfect for a small intimate screening and it was good seeing the staff ferrying drinks and popcorn from the Café just before the film began.
Overall I'd say this place has had a lot of love and care put into it, the building it's self is magnificent and the history to boot is truly fascinating, paired up with a brilliant location on the beach and within a 20 minute walk of the town center it's definitely somewhere I'd go back to if they did another evening like that!
This is one of those places which defines Eastbourne and makes it unique, if your a fan of seeing the same shops/attractions in all the towns in the UK then walk on, but if you fancy something a little different and special then I recommend paying them a visit!
Written November 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene B
Eastbourne, UK25 contributions
May 2021
The newly refurbished Pavillion opened in May and it is shocking.
I went today 27/05/2021 and was told when ordering that there was a backlog in the kitchen so I could not order food.
This is supposed to be a new venture but so many customers were unhappy with the lack of service and the wrong orders coming out!
One couple waited 40 minutes to be served. They are all youngsters without supervision and the lad who was waiting on tables was run off his feet whilst the girls hid behind the bar and in the kitchen most of the time we were there.
The toilets are the same as before you cannot flush them and yet they have been refurbished?
I cannot see this place surviving unless someone responsible gets a grip of it!! Why should paying customers get treated like this especially when businesses are trying to recoup their lack of income due to Covid.
I went today 27/05/2021 and was told when ordering that there was a backlog in the kitchen so I could not order food.
This is supposed to be a new venture but so many customers were unhappy with the lack of service and the wrong orders coming out!
One couple waited 40 minutes to be served. They are all youngsters without supervision and the lad who was waiting on tables was run off his feet whilst the girls hid behind the bar and in the kitchen most of the time we were there.
The toilets are the same as before you cannot flush them and yet they have been refurbished?
I cannot see this place surviving unless someone responsible gets a grip of it!! Why should paying customers get treated like this especially when businesses are trying to recoup their lack of income due to Covid.
Written May 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane R
Pevensey, UK65 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
I have grown up visiting the Redoubt since it's aquarium and model village days, through to the current twilight tours and film screenings. The ' hard hat' tours ( didn't have to wear one yet) are a great idea, to tour the fortress building as it is undergoing restoration. The tours are free but donations welcome. There is an informative video to watch at your convenience. Peter, our guide was extremely knowledgeable, about the fortress and history of the time, and was clear and engaging...and obviously enthusiastic. I saw and learnt a lot of new things. It was a warm day but quite cold inside so wear a jacket. We didn't know until we arrived that the theme of the tours vary so i think that needs to be advertised. We did the lock ups and latrines tour which was great but the previous tour was about firepower, which our son would've prioritised had he known, as he could only attend one. We will return though, and further into the restoration. Parade ground, video, cafe all free. Tour Tickets are free but i think they like you to book so they know numbers. Three tours a day at the weekend.
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol C
Bristol, UK306 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
We visited this fortress during the Halloween period last year. We had an eerily dressed guide who told us tales in different parts of the fortress of the ghostly goings-on from times gone past. Quite a jolly Halloween jape, for a good value price!
Written April 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveOurOwnUK
Horsham, UK2 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Made most of the sunshine today....The Pavillion (free) and stones throw The Redoubt Fortress. This place is a hidden jam.... you enter a large circular parade ground all brick worked. A welcome break is the cafe with a vintage feel...you get a proper sized mug of tea in there!! We sat outside in the sun with a creamed tea. Priced £3.25 each. The museum is a rabbit warren.... go through the small entrance and you will be surprised, each 'casement' room interconnects with a differing theme connected to life as a soldier. Short film displays and interacted get involved type displays . Kids took part in the Easter theme hunt and loved it. They loved the canons outside and we loved fantastic views of the coast. If you are an Eastbourne resident take your council tax bill for special priced entry and free anytime revisiting over the next year. Kids are 9 and 10yrs.
Inside museum can get chilly....take extra layer with you.
Inside museum can get chilly....take extra layer with you.
Written April 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul C
eastbourne69 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
This is a fort that is in good condition with plenty of history, it is very interesting and has got some great displays and its history is well documneted. Well worth the entrance fee. The cafe is good value and has some freat specials, had some good service @ a reasonable price.
Written June 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EESW1
Lincolnshire, UK5,597 contributions
Oct 2021
The Redoubt is one of three massive fortresses built in the early 1800s along the south coast, along with 74 smaller Martello towers, in response to Napoleon’s expected invasion of England.
Having visited the Wish Tower (the Martello tower) at the other end of the beach), this was a must!
It is impressive from the outside - a massive circular structure surrounded by a deep dry moat, with a drawbridge. The small ‘buildings’ called carponiers
The moat contains five small buildings called caponiers, which allowed defending soldiers to fire on attackers who entered the moat. On the outside of the moat is a grassy glacis or earth bank designed to absorb the shock of enemy bombardment. The gun seen on this is similar to those that would have been used in the early C19th.
The moat and glacis on the seaward side were removed when the construction of the sea wall and promenade in 1890, exposing the outer wall of the Redoubt. This area is now the site of a wooden sculpture, Azimuth, using reclaimed timbers from sea defences. The information panel describes it as either an image of long lost shipwrecks or the ribs of a mythical sea creature
The area to the south west of the Redoubt has been landscaped with gardens and the Pavilion Cafe.
The Redoubt has been closed all this year following the Covid lockdowns. Even so, it is still worth going to look at the outside of this remarkable building. It is an attractive area to drop out and enjoy the sunshine. There are information boards giving more detail.
Having visited the Wish Tower (the Martello tower) at the other end of the beach), this was a must!
It is impressive from the outside - a massive circular structure surrounded by a deep dry moat, with a drawbridge. The small ‘buildings’ called carponiers
The moat contains five small buildings called caponiers, which allowed defending soldiers to fire on attackers who entered the moat. On the outside of the moat is a grassy glacis or earth bank designed to absorb the shock of enemy bombardment. The gun seen on this is similar to those that would have been used in the early C19th.
The moat and glacis on the seaward side were removed when the construction of the sea wall and promenade in 1890, exposing the outer wall of the Redoubt. This area is now the site of a wooden sculpture, Azimuth, using reclaimed timbers from sea defences. The information panel describes it as either an image of long lost shipwrecks or the ribs of a mythical sea creature
The area to the south west of the Redoubt has been landscaped with gardens and the Pavilion Cafe.
The Redoubt has been closed all this year following the Covid lockdowns. Even so, it is still worth going to look at the outside of this remarkable building. It is an attractive area to drop out and enjoy the sunshine. There are information boards giving more detail.
Written November 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CotswoldsMidge
Cotswolds506 contributions
Sep 2019
There is a lot more to see and explore here then it initially seems but please check the opening times before making a special visit as they are quite restrictive.
Usually ample free parking in the side streets opposite with a pedestrian crossing right outside the entrance. Alternatively it is on a main bus route and is but a short walk from the town centre and pier.
Usually ample free parking in the side streets opposite with a pedestrian crossing right outside the entrance. Alternatively it is on a main bus route and is but a short walk from the town centre and pier.
Written September 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are visiting Eastbourne with our small dog are we able to walk around outside with him?
Written May 18, 2017
Hi Eleanor, sorry we missed your question. Dogs are welcome in the parade ground and up on the gun platform but not inside the building itself
Written June 20, 2017
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