Venue
Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4BP
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne
The Congress Theatre is a Grade II* listed, purpose built theatre and conference venue on Carlisle Road in Eastbourne's Devonshire Quarter, a short walk from the seafront. Opened in 1963 and seating 1,680, it is the largest theatre on the South Coast and one of three venues that make up Eastbourne Theatres, alongside the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Winter Garden. Its programme leans towards big touring work: West End musicals and plays, ballet and opera, stand up comedy, tribute and live music nights, family shows and talks. A 2016 renovation added the adjacent Welcome Building.
Photos via Google. Attributions: theolimeister, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
City
Eastbourne
Capacity
1,680
Venue info
The Congress Theatre is a Grade II* listed, purpose built theatre and conference venue on Carlisle Road in Eastbourne's Devonshire Quarter, a short walk from the seafront. Opened in 1963 and seating 1,680, it is the largest theatre on the South Coast and one of three venues that make up Eastbourne Theatres, alongside the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Winter Garden. Its programme leans towards big touring work: West End musicals and plays, ballet and opera, stand up comedy, tribute and live music nights, family shows and talks. A 2016 renovation added the adjacent Welcome Building.
History
The Congress Theatre was designed in 1958 by Bryan and Norman Westwood Architects and built between 1961 and 1963, with Ove Arup and Partners as engineers and the local firm Llewellyns as builders. It was conceived from the start as a dual purpose theatre and conference venue, and its uncompromising modern design later earned it Grade II* listed status.
The building's first use came when Eastbourne College held its prize giving ceremony there, but the first official performance followed on Thursday 13 June 1963. It began with a trumpet fanfare from the trumpeters of the Royal Military School of Music and continued with a concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Arthur Bliss.
Royal recognition arrived quickly. On 2 November 1965 Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, and Lord Snowdon attended a gala concert given by the London Symphony Orchestra and unveiled a commemorative plaque in the presence of the Mayor of Eastbourne. Eight years later the theatre earned a permanent place in jazz history: on 1 December 1973 the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington gave his final recorded concert here, five months before his death in May 1974.
The theatre is owned by Eastbourne Borough Council and operated by Trafalgar Theatres. Extensive renovation work in 2016 refreshed the venue and created the new Welcome Building next door, which now provides lift access to every floor of the Congress Theatre.
Transport
Train
Eastbourne railway station is a walk of about 10 to 15 minutes from the theatre. There are frequent direct services from Hastings, Lewes, Brighton, Haywards Heath and London Victoria, with connections from Tunbridge Wells and Seaford. From the station, head down Terminus Road, turn right at HSBC onto Cornfield Terrace, continue on to Chiswick Place, then turn down Carlisle Road past the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Winter Garden.
Bus
Stagecoach Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove Buses run regular services stopping near the theatres, and Stagecoach service 3 stops outside the Winter Garden, a few steps from the Congress. If you arrive at the main bus station on Gildredge Road, follow the same walking route as from the railway station, which sits at the end of that road.
Parking
The nearest car park is on College Road, with 115 spaces, pay and display until 10pm. There is also plentiful on-street parking nearby, which is free after 6pm. The NCP car park at Trinity Place (BN21 3BZ) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A limited number of Blue Badge spaces are located directly in front of the Devonshire Park Theatre and in the College Road car park, a short walk from the Congress Theatre.
Accessibility
The Congress Theatre and its sister venues are set up to welcome disabled visitors, and staff ask that you talk through any requirements when you book so that the most suitable seats can be offered.
- Ramp access to the box office
- Patron lift to all floors of the Congress Theatre, reached via the adjacent Welcome Building
- Wheelchair spaces in the auditorium: see the venue seating plans for details
- Wheelchair accessible toilets
- Infrared hearing and induction loop system
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Blue Badge parking near the venues, including spaces in the College Road car park
- Orientation tours available on request
Essential Companion Scheme
Eastbourne Theatres run a free scheme for those who need an essential companion with them at a show. Application forms are available from the box office on 01323 412000.
Group visits
care homes, schools and other groups who would benefit from arriving early can arrange for a support usher to welcome them ahead of the main audience. Call 01323 415528 and leave a message for the duty manager.
Live venue listings
Galactic Spiritual Informers - Exposing The Truth - Beyond The Illusion
Thu 10 - Sat 12 Sep 2026
Other · from £93.50
View listingThe Nutcracker Performed By The Imperial Classical Ballet
Sun 11 Oct 2026
Dance · from £43.75
View listingLondon Philharmonic Orchestra: Brahms's Second
Sun 22 Nov 2026
Classical opera · from £17.50
View listingNearby venues
Frequently asked questions
What's on at the Congress Theatre?
The Congress Theatre hosts touring West End musicals and plays, ballet and opera, stand up comedy, live music and tribute nights, family shows and talks. The Eastbourne Theatres pantomime is staged next door at the Devonshire Park Theatre. The latest confirmed dates are listed on this page.
Where is the Congress Theatre?
It is on Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4BP, in the town's Devonshire Quarter and a short walk from the seafront. The Devonshire Park Theatre and the Winter Garden are neighbours on the same street.
How do I get to the Congress Theatre?
Eastbourne railway station is a walk of roughly 10 to 15 minutes, with direct trains from Brighton, Lewes, Hastings, Haywards Heath and London Victoria. Stagecoach Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove buses stop nearby, and service 3 stops outside the Winter Garden next door.
Where can I park near the Congress Theatre?
The closest option is the College Road car park with 115 spaces, pay and display until 10pm, and there is on-street parking nearby that is free after 6pm. The NCP car park at Trinity Place (BN21 3BZ) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How many seats does the Congress Theatre have?
The auditorium seats 1,680, making it the largest theatre on the South Coast. Together with the Devonshire Park Theatre and the Winter Garden, Eastbourne Theatres offer more than 3,500 seats in total.
Is the Congress Theatre accessible?
Yes. There is ramp access to the box office, a patron lift to all floors via the neighbouring Welcome Building, wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, an infrared hearing and induction loop system and a welcome for assistance dogs. Discuss your needs with the box office when booking so suitable seats can be arranged.
When did the Congress Theatre open?
It was designed in 1958 by Bryan and Norman Westwood Architects and built from 1961 to 1963. The first official performance was on 13 June 1963, opening with a fanfare from the trumpeters of the Royal Military School of Music and a concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Arthur Bliss.
Who runs the Congress Theatre?
The theatre is owned by Eastbourne Borough Council and operated by Trafalgar Theatres as one of the three Eastbourne Theatres venues. Tickets should be booked through the venue's official box office.
What's on at Congress Theatre, Eastbourne?
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne hosts a rolling programme of touring productions. The current what's-on list with dates, last checked 2026-08-23, is further up this page, and tickets are sold through the venue's official box office.
Where is Congress Theatre, Eastbourne?
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne is located at Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4BP.
How big is Congress Theatre, Eastbourne?
Congress Theatre, Eastbourne has a capacity of 1,680 — small enough to feel intimate but large enough to host major productions.