Towner Eastbourne

About the museum

Towner Eastbourne holds and shows modern British and contemporary art on the Sussex coast. Its collection began in 1920, when Alderman John Chisholm Towner left 20 Victorian paintings to the people of Eastbourne, and the gallery has been collecting and exhibiting art since 1923. Over time the collecting policy widened from Sussex landscapes to British artists of the twentieth century and then to international contemporary work, with a growing focus on landscape, women artists and moving image.

Today the collection numbers around 5,000 works. It is best known for the largest and most significant body of work by Eric Ravilious, shown in The Ravilious Collection, a free permanent display, and it also includes works by artists such as Paul Nash, Tacita Dean and Wolfgang Tillmans.

The present building was designed by Rick Mather Architects and opened in April 2009 in Eastbourne’s Devonshire Quarter; its exterior carries a colourful mural by Lothar Götz. Towner was named Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020. Besides exhibitions it has a cinema, a collection library and a learning programme for families, schools and adults.

Highlights

• The Ravilious Collection, a free permanent display of work by Eric Ravilious
• Towner Collection of about 5,000 modern British and contemporary works
• Lothar Götz mural “Dance Diagonal” on the exterior walls
• Behind-the-scenes tours of the Art Store
• Cinema, collection library, shop and rooftop restaurant

Permanent exhibitions

• The Ravilious Collection – A free permanent display of the work of Eric Ravilious, one of Eastbourne’s best-known artists.
• Towner Collection – About 5,000 works of modern British and international contemporary art, shown in changing selections and in behind-the-scenes Art Store tours.

Founded

1923

Operated by

Towner Eastbourne

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the gallery and The Ravilious Collection is free (the latter with a free ticket). Some special exhibitions are ticketed, with concessions for people on job seekers or universal credit benefits, disabled people, full-time students and people on Pension Credit; under 25s enter exhibitions free. Members enter ticketed shows free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A very large lift serves all floors. A manual wheelchair can be booked in advance, and there are induction loops at the welcome desk and in the cinema and large-print guides for all exhibitions. Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls are available. Five Blue Badge spaces are in the layby beside the Devonshire Quarter Plaza, with a drop-off area outside Towner (30-minute waiting).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Creative and making activities for families with young children are offered through the learning programme, and the museum was shortlisted for the Family Friendly Museums Award in 2016. The Ravilious Collection has an activity trail.

Getting there & parking

The station is a 10-minute walk. Bike racks are on Devonshire Quarter Plaza in front of Towner.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Cinema café/bar Flicker and the Scandinavian-style restaurant Light on the second floor, both run by hospitality partners; nine self-service lockers in the main foyer; shop with prints, Ravilious-inspired items, ceramics and stationery.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

Studio 1 (up to 120 standing), an 84-seat cinema auditorium and the café bar (evenings only) can be hired; catering is provided by the in-house restaurant Light.

Plan your visit