Towner Eastbourne — Attraction in Eastbourne

Excellent contemporary gallery with high quality exhibitions. The restaurant is a beautiful and calm space with a sunny terrace. The menu is interesting and delicious. The cinema hosts the latest arthouse, independent and foreign cinema and has a handsome bar. I would give the gallery five stars if it were not for the noise from loud people in the galleries, which is distracting and irritating. This includes loud conversations by staff who also do nothing to control the noise levels. It has been so distracting while trying to watch the films and read the explanations of the works that I likely won't return often. At the Emma Stibbon show last year, there groups of shrieking pensioners and a small group of women stood right behind me, talking loudly while I tried to watch the video - I had to ask them to move. Yesterday, there were similar levels of noise from people who seem to have no awareness of others. While I don't expect it to be library silent, I do expect, especially for paid exhibitions, to be able to concentrate on what I've come to see. Also, I came out of the exhibition and sat down to watch another video on the screen on the landing and 30 seconds in was approached by a staff member who wanted me to complete a survey. She could see that I was trying to watch a film. They should ensure that visitors can enjoy the experience without such...

Fantastic architectural building, which is greatly enhanced by the colourful exterior painting. I’m not sure the recently renovated ground floor adds anything more. I can’t think of any gallery that has willingly made its gift shop smaller and places it in an awkward, non user friendly corner. Positioning the cafe in a corridor, with no natural light was also a choice. The newly opened restaurant on the top floor is quite a jump from what was there before. A great improvement, yes. Although, perhaps too far in the opposite direction. All one needs from a gallery cafe is comfortability, casualness, style, good coffee, cake and light lunches. Think, V&A. Perhaps, they’ll find the right balance in the future. The exhibitions are hit and miss. Not the most exciting or challenging. If you love local landscapes, this is where they excel. I do miss the annual Open Exhibition. They must have recently been encouraged to make the gallery more engaging to children, as all my recent visits have been accompanied with loud shouting and screaming. Looking forward to the upcoming...

An incredible art gallery with an amazing hands-on artistic experience for the kids. We made all sorts of things and as soon as we left, I was asked by my eldest when we could go back again. I've already told one of my friends about it and will rave about it to everyone I know! The biggest lift in the entire world provided many giggles too. Nice cafe, slightly high priced for a kids hot chocolate I'd say, but came out at the perfect drinking temperature and my oat flat white was absolutely delicious. The art galleries themselves have a great mix of art and quite a laid back feel. Just the right size for little people without them getting too overwhelmed.

Thanks for having us...we will be back!

My heads up would be to wear old clothes if you're going to do a family drop in. I know they change all the time, but we didn't anticipate acrylic paint or drawing ink. I fear a few items of clothes will have lasting marks of the day! It's not the end of the world by any stretch but I was a bit like a mad woman trying to keep my toddler...