About

Hampden Park opened in 1902 as the first publicly owned park in Eastbourne. The lake and surrounding woodland were originally a wild foul decoy for Lord Wilingdon's estate. The local names Decoy Pond and Decoy Wood are still used and relate back to this time. In 2011 Hampden Park first qualified as a Queen Elizabeth II Field.

The north side of the park is dominated by the Decoy Pond and semi-natural woodland with a wealth of native wildlife. There are also many fine specimen trees laid out across sunny lawns with picnic tables. During the spring there are large spreads of colourful crocuses and daffodils.

Near the central café a new Arboretum and History Garden opened on 31st July 2008. The trees and border plants are laid out to show how plants arrived in Britain throughout the centuries. Some have arrived by natural means and others have been brought by explorers returning from around the world.

The southern part of the park has pitches for rugby and football as well as a large concrete skate park. Athletics facilities can be found at the far south of the site and from part of the Eastbourne Sports Park complex.