Towner Gallery
Latest Reviews
We came to Eastbourne specifically to see Ravilious& Co. It is wonderful with a huge range ofdifferent items and paintings. Well explained too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I visited the Gallery two days ago for the first time. As art loves we intended to visit the gallery on our short trip to Eastbourne and were particularly delighted when we discovered the Eric Ravilious and Co. exhibition was on. It was an excellent exhibition. I discovered a great deal I had not known and new artist, particularly women artists who are rarely as celebrated as the men. Enid Marx, Tirzah Garwood, Helen Binyon. As well as artist such as Paul and John Nash ,Barnett Freeman, Edward Bawden among others. I enjoyed the diversity of paintings and designs on display.
The layout of the gallery is very good. A great lift. The cafe well organised, a nice space and good food and coffee. Thank you to the hard working young chefs and assistance as the cafe was unsuprisingly very busy but always efficient.
The layout of the gallery is very good. A great lift. The cafe well organised, a nice space and good food and coffee. Thank you to the hard working young chefs and assistance as the cafe was unsuprisingly very busy but always efficient.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went specifically to see an exhibition about Eric Ravilious and his contemporaries at the Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne yesterday. Lots of pictures we hadn't seen before on display by him, Edward Bowden and Paul Nash. Desperately sad the ways these artists were so messed about by two world wars and the sights they saw and tried to represent and the breakdowns and depression which were the quietly ignored side of war for so many people. Very moving exhibition and beautifully done. The gallery itself is always worth a visit with a good variety of stuff to see in a lovely building. Highly recommended and not posh art but very accessible.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Interesting exhibitions, good shop and excellent cafe. The perfect Arts Centre. Always visit when in town.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've been to the Towner many times and have always enjoyed the experience. First of all, the actual exhibition space is large and airy even when the place is busy. The range of exhibitions over the last 12 months has been wide enough to suit most tastes from classic to modern. The Urban Ground Cafe on the top floor has a panoramic view across the rooftops of Eastbourne and the food is tasty, fresh and reasonably priced. The lift is amazing - a room in itself and so very accessible, including seating inside for the elderly or infirm. The shop stocks a relevant collection of gift items that you might not find elsewhere. The staff are always friendly and courteous (including custodians, cafe staff, shop staff). Definitely worth a visit. Entrance free, donations welcomed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have been here lots of times before when visiting Eastbourne and never fails to disappoint. This time we went for the Ravilious and Friends exhibition. What a find. Late night Thursday ((until 8). We were two of six people in the whole exhibition. If this had been in london it would have been mobbed! If you are a fan of Ravilious and the era this is fascinating. Lots of detail and textiles, wood cuts, paintings I'd never seen before, as well as art by his peers and contemporaries. Wonderful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love to visit the Towner Art Gallery! It's fresh, clean and beautifully laid out. Mostly free admission, unless you are viewing a specific exhibition. Lovely little cafe/tearoom plus view over the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Centre - what's not to like! They host some amazing exhibitions.
I visit this gallery time and time again - you won't be disappointed.
I visit this gallery time and time again - you won't be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Made a particular visit to see the Ravilious & Friends exhibition and was not disappointed. The guide on the door recommended we could come out for a breather/coffee and return, and she was not wrong (and wish that other galleries, the RA in particular, would take note of this feature!). We were two generations visiting: both entranced. We were absorbed in the huge content and valued the detailed descriptions.
Learnt so much! My 4* review reflects, as previous comments, no accompanying information and not really a relevant book in the gift shop, limited postcards.
Note for sort of visit in comment below: I came with my grown up son - not a couple, or family options offered, he is my friend but wouldn't define him as such, not business or solo! However, we both really enjoyed the exhibition - me the artist, and him the scientist.
Learnt so much! My 4* review reflects, as previous comments, no accompanying information and not really a relevant book in the gift shop, limited postcards.
Note for sort of visit in comment below: I came with my grown up son - not a couple, or family options offered, he is my friend but wouldn't define him as such, not business or solo! However, we both really enjoyed the exhibition - me the artist, and him the scientist.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The ravilious exhibition is really great.. it's huge! I am not particularly a fan of ravilious' work but the exhibition showed the work of his artist friends too.
The space is lovely and the cafe is also great.
The space is lovely and the cafe is also great.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The current Ravilious and Friends exhibition is excellent and no one with an interest in this period should miss it. I do think the entrance fee should include a small introductory leaflet, but apart from that I cannot fault it. Congratulations to the Towner and its dedicated staff!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very close to hotel. Helpful staff. Good exhibition not available elsewhere. Cafe available when you have finished your visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I regularly take my elderly mother (90) in her wheelchair to the Gallery because it is wheelchair friendly, has an ever changing exhibition that is not predictable but is always inspiring. The option for a lunch at the cafe/ restaurant with lovely views of the South Downs, Devonshire Park and Eastbourne is also enticing and the staff are accommodating and friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love The Towner is a great gallery with some interesting exhibitions especially Ravillious. They run some fun workshops for adults and children too we have been to several including a Halloween craft one for kids some of these are free. The cafe run by Urban Ground is a great place for lunch and looks out over the famous Devonshire LTA grounds
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited this important gallery in the week it opened and were impressed especially because the town owns a very important art collection; and the place was buzzing.
Currently the Gallery is much less satisfactory and certain features of its design have become apparent making a visit less enjoyable than one hoped for.
The foyer is a mess; there is no sense of a welcome, and the space, which includes the reception and an adjacent cluttered shop area, doesn't provide the best first impression.
The current important exhibition on Ravilious and his friends is packed with interesting stuff but an introductory leaflet wouldn't have gone amiss, especially considering the high entrance fee charged. There were other features which suggested a lack of coherence and we weren't the only viewers who had to stoop to read the details on each of the exhibits - eventually we gave up.
The other rooms of the gallery are rather sparsely used and on our visit had few visitors.
As for the massive lift, which is obviously not just for visitors but also for transporting works of art of seemingly any size, that is almost an attraction in itself.
Perhaps, once the surrounding building work has been completed, the gallery will provide a better experience - we hope so.
Currently the Gallery is much less satisfactory and certain features of its design have become apparent making a visit less enjoyable than one hoped for.
The foyer is a mess; there is no sense of a welcome, and the space, which includes the reception and an adjacent cluttered shop area, doesn't provide the best first impression.
The current important exhibition on Ravilious and his friends is packed with interesting stuff but an introductory leaflet wouldn't have gone amiss, especially considering the high entrance fee charged. There were other features which suggested a lack of coherence and we weren't the only viewers who had to stoop to read the details on each of the exhibits - eventually we gave up.
The other rooms of the gallery are rather sparsely used and on our visit had few visitors.
As for the massive lift, which is obviously not just for visitors but also for transporting works of art of seemingly any size, that is almost an attraction in itself.
Perhaps, once the surrounding building work has been completed, the gallery will provide a better experience - we hope so.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited the Towner for the "Ravilious & Co" exhibition. It was very well curated and displayed with a large quantity of works and artefacts of Eric Ravilious and his contemporaries. We spent almost two hours and could have spent more. Superb!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great exhibition, in a great modern building, with a good cafe offering a lovely outside space. I would advise checking the location as the link from the website sent us to goggle maps that sent us to the wrong location in totally the wrong direction. It was also disappointing that when we asked to leave feedback regarding finding it difficult to locate, we were given the impression by one member of staff that it would be pointless, all the other staff were very good.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to see the excellent Ravilious and friends exhibition. Went to the café for tea first, and thrilled with the service, cakes, and the outside balcony with seats.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There was a great exhibition on in July easy to.park with helpful staff over 3 floors lots of different art work to make you feel everybody's taste I s covered
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went specially to see Ravillious. Excellent exhibition. Gallery not so excellent. I walked there from Eastbourne town and failed to find it on any of the fingerpost signs.The foyer was small and cluttered. Tiny sign saying 'buy tickets downhere' for Ravilious could be bigger. Gift shop staff really ready to go home and woe betide stragglers who had been ejected from gallery at 5. Pity only 1 late opening a week. Surely a Friday in July warrents more than 5pm? Also pity about café firmly shut by then as well. Not exclusively a Towner flaw, but outside on the pavement by 5.10 and not a café in sight. But a big hand to the member of staff who allowed access to the toilets on first floor (None on ground floor) after 5pm. Compassion indeed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Towner has the most special exhibition on at the moment, until Sept 15th - Ravilious and Co. I have now seen it 5 times, there is so much to see, and so many fascinating insights into this remarkable group of artists. The Open exhibition is also worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great gallery. So many regional art galleries are a huge disappointment, but not Towner. I first visited this unique space five years ago, and I'm a fan. It's the gallery where you can see a good breadth of creativity in one well laid out space. Recently visited the Eric Ravilious exhibition-- Eric Ravilious and friends. Excellent. Intelligently put together and a great insight into this overlooked artist and printmaker.
Spread over three floors, the Towner is a great exhibition space. On the second floor there's a very nice coffee shop which caters for gluten and dairy-free customers.
On the ground floor there's a good bookshop which stocks a good range of books and cards.
Nice helpful staff. Great location and an excellent building all contribute to the experience.
Always worth a visit.
Spread over three floors, the Towner is a great exhibition space. On the second floor there's a very nice coffee shop which caters for gluten and dairy-free customers.
On the ground floor there's a good bookshop which stocks a good range of books and cards.
Nice helpful staff. Great location and an excellent building all contribute to the experience.
Always worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went in an organised group to see the Ravillios exhibition and we were not disappointed. In fact, you have to go and see where he painted and stop and look. A rare treat
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Super super exhibition which introduced us to a whole raft of "new" artists - we went to see Ravilious but left knowing that he certainly mixed with a hugely talented circle of friends. A really great exhibition. The food is good in the restaurant too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to see this exhibition today -fabulous. Ravilious and his contemporaries had some many talents - watercolours, wood block prints, lino prints, textiles, graphics. True 'all round artists'. What might he have produced had he survived the war? Haunting question - and surviving it was, it seems, also a narrow squeak for Bawden. Superbly mounted and displayed - go see!! Also excellent cafe serving refreshments with wonderfully prompt service.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A varied series of exhibitions throughout the year mean that there is always something interesting to see. Most of the exhibitions are free but some do incur an admission charge.
With a bit of pre-planning check the website for the behind the scenes tours to view many of the pictures held in store their history and an insight into the conservation work undertaken. Lots of gems that can only occasionally make it out into the main exhibition halls.
Due to its location it is always a handy go to place if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
In the right week in June the coffee shop patio also gives a good view over the Devonshire Park tennis arenas.
With a bit of pre-planning check the website for the behind the scenes tours to view many of the pictures held in store their history and an insight into the conservation work undertaken. Lots of gems that can only occasionally make it out into the main exhibition halls.
Due to its location it is always a handy go to place if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
In the right week in June the coffee shop patio also gives a good view over the Devonshire Park tennis arenas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
