Towner Gallery
Latest Reviews
Have lived on and off in Eastbourne area for 50 years but never visited the Towner before today.
Really enjoyable visit. Some of the work of local artist Eric Ravilious, was on display which was enjoyable to compere with my own recollections of places I knew.
Even better was an exhibition of the work of John Napier. Credited with designing some of the best London west-end stage sets, this showed models, sketches and sculptures of designs from Starlight, Les Miserable, Cats, Equus and many, many more. Superb.
Most of the Towner is free, and only £5 to see the special exhibition of John Napier, worth the extra.
The whole place feels much bigger than it actually is, well laid out and a good café on the top floor.
Really enjoyable visit. Some of the work of local artist Eric Ravilious, was on display which was enjoyable to compere with my own recollections of places I knew.
Even better was an exhibition of the work of John Napier. Credited with designing some of the best London west-end stage sets, this showed models, sketches and sculptures of designs from Starlight, Les Miserable, Cats, Equus and many, many more. Superb.
Most of the Towner is free, and only £5 to see the special exhibition of John Napier, worth the extra.
The whole place feels much bigger than it actually is, well laid out and a good café on the top floor.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We didn't really have time to do this nice museum full justice, missing the Ravilious room and John Napier's Stages exhibition. But we did enjoy the joint exhibition with the Aberdeen Gallery. As you go up the stairs you are faced with a glorious view of the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club and the town rooftops - when we visited the late afternoon sun made a glorious picture through the large east facing windows. We must come back on our next visit to Eastbourne!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Eastbourne is very much 'a cut above' most of the other Sussex seaside resorts and the Towner Gallery will help to keep it that way. This gallery was almost our primary reason for staying there once more.
It is a beautiful new building that presents seasons of exhibitions and also holds many glorious and permanent treasures - not least of which are fine examples of the marvellous work of Eric Ravilious who was born in Eastbourne in 1903. His friend and source of great encouragement was Donald Towner after whom this gallery is named.
Yes, it has a café too with great views to Eastbourne's verdant tennis courts where many international games are played in Devonshire Park. Sitting on a very comfortable sofa, we enjoyed a pot of tea beautifully presented on a tray with a novel set of three 'egg' timers (3/5/7 mins. depending on your choice of leaf - a nice touch).
Children are always welcomed with many facilities for them to be creative.
It is a beautiful new building that presents seasons of exhibitions and also holds many glorious and permanent treasures - not least of which are fine examples of the marvellous work of Eric Ravilious who was born in Eastbourne in 1903. His friend and source of great encouragement was Donald Towner after whom this gallery is named.
Yes, it has a café too with great views to Eastbourne's verdant tennis courts where many international games are played in Devonshire Park. Sitting on a very comfortable sofa, we enjoyed a pot of tea beautifully presented on a tray with a novel set of three 'egg' timers (3/5/7 mins. depending on your choice of leaf - a nice touch).
Children are always welcomed with many facilities for them to be creative.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Was taken to the Towner by family while visiting Sussex. It is a very modern gallery with some lovely local works. I was most impressed by the excellent Beyond the Fourth Wall exhibition of John Napier's works inspired by theatre productions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Good modern art gallery. It felt small after recent visits to the large London galleries but on reflection it was actually quite large. Good well presented exhibitions and looked like lots of events for kids and families to do with discovering art.
Source: google.com
A beautifully designed gallery by Rick Mather. A great place to visit when you have a couple of hours to spare and need an art fix. The café is also well worth a try
Source: google.com
I've been to the Towner on countless occasions, they have an excellent diary and often include community based work. If you are with kids don't forget to try the workshop room upstairs where kids can get involved with free materials on offer for creative purposes.
Source: google.com
This gallery is well worth a visit, especially now as the John Napier exhibition is on.Also the Eric Ravilious room.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been a number of times with children here for the holiday craft activities. They have so much fun, make amazing things. The staff are so kind and helpful and make it so much fun for the children. We will continue to go to the holiday art clubs and we also enjoy walking around the art work. Amazing as it is free and has a lovely cafe inside too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A modern purpose built gallery. Several exhibitions were free & the staff were helpful & informative.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited twice over the last couple of days. The first time to see the special exhibition on theatre sets etc which was interesting if a little over priced and the second time to see the rest of the gallery.
There is also a coffee shop and an excellent shop - great for some unusual presents.
There is also a coffee shop and an excellent shop - great for some unusual presents.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went specifically to see the Ravilious paintings but was delighted with the collection generally. Very interesting contemporary art as well as the beautiful paintings of early 20th century. I also enjoyed lunch and coffee in the café. I would have loved to have spent longer there but will return. Some beautiful pieces for sale in the small shop as well.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I've been to Towner a few times now and always enjoy the experience. Not every exhibition has been my cup of tea but for such a small venue they show a wide variety and even when I'm not enthused I can see the ideas and thinking behind the shows.
Alongside the gallery there is a small but nicely stocked shop and a very nice cafe which does a very fine cup of coffee.
My kids, including my autistic son, have been made to feel very welcome every time they have come along which helps massively with them behaving as well. There are normally some activities going on for children as well which don't get in the way of the adults' requirements.
Definitely a place worth seeking out if you're in the area.
Alongside the gallery there is a small but nicely stocked shop and a very nice cafe which does a very fine cup of coffee.
My kids, including my autistic son, have been made to feel very welcome every time they have come along which helps massively with them behaving as well. There are normally some activities going on for children as well which don't get in the way of the adults' requirements.
Definitely a place worth seeking out if you're in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was the main reason for visiting Eastbourne, to see the Ravilious room. It didn't disappoint, though sad that there are many more works in the collection but not on display. Added bonus of Scottish art. Not at all impressed by the photography on the top floor.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Kids loved it, very very helpful and kind staff. Lots of activity sheets for kids, places to hang your own work, a great area below stairs to complete some artwork of your own. My little girl felt like an artist!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Such good value that you can come and look at artwork that si free of charge, though donations are welcome.
a lovely bright airy modern buildiing.
Always fascinating displays, involving all types of artist, even the local children, which is always refreshing
a lovely bright airy modern buildiing.
Always fascinating displays, involving all types of artist, even the local children, which is always refreshing
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The towner is great for food as well as art.It's not signposted very well though.it has lovely gift shop with locally made jewellery and no plastic that.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent Gallery with a first rate collection, beautifully presented in well-lit surroundings. The current exhibition, comprising works on loan from the Aberdeen Gallery, contained some masterpieces of British art and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you can ignore the ugliness of the exterior (whoever thought this looked attractive as a building) it is a good place to visit. Interesting exhibits which change regularly. Nice café on the top floor (lift access if needed) with a terrace if the weather is good. Gift shop on the ground floor.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just visited the latest free exhibition which is a collaboration with the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Towner.
Some truly amazing artworks on display complemented by Towner's own collection of work.
The curators rightly deserve praise for another great exhibition, thoughtfully and imaginatively displayed. Towner is a gem in Eastbourne's crown.
The Ravillious room has also been supplemented by pictures from Aberdeen's collection.
Some truly amazing artworks on display complemented by Towner's own collection of work.
The curators rightly deserve praise for another great exhibition, thoughtfully and imaginatively displayed. Towner is a gem in Eastbourne's crown.
The Ravillious room has also been supplemented by pictures from Aberdeen's collection.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful pictures, very nice cafe and interesting building. Pleasant ambience and a nice class of person: no riff-raff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spacious and airy, a great venue for art display.
Some exhibitions are free to enter, others there is a fee, I must admit I found it difficult to discern what were the free bits!
Some exhibitions are free to enter, others there is a fee, I must admit I found it difficult to discern what were the free bits!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went to 2 interesting exhibitions, one of abstract work by William Gear, and also the East Sussex open, exhibiting a wide variety of thought-provoking pieces by local artists. Rooftop cafe is well worth a visit, delicious cakes and tea served with small "egg timers" so you can time the perfect brew! Also, there are good views of the tennis courts at the back of the building.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderful art gallery with a real sense of calm in a striking and beautiful building. Lovely little cafe with views. The staff accommodated myself and 7 colleagues from our Union committee to conduct a planning meeting in one of their rooms; the Fuse Box. It was a perfectly conducive environment which enabled us to have a very productive day. We are extremely grateful to the splendidly helpful staff. Thank you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Towner has a small cafe at the top of the building. The coffees are good tasting (babycinos for the little ones) and I recommend the scones. There is a little outside balcony to sit on and afterwards why not visit an art exhibition? All in all an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
