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The intimate experience

2009 AEGON International | 13-20 June

devonshire parkEastbourne's Devonshire Park offers visitors a real tennis feast with the first ever combined tournaments. This is the largest grass court professional tennis event outside Wimbledon, which follows the week after the 2009 AEGON International. 

And with the tournament so massive this year, the bars, hotels, restaurants and shops are going to benefit from an influx of visitors. 

With so many visitors to the town, which is popular all year, there will be a clamour for premium parking spaces.

But getting to Eastbourne is no problem, as it is easily accessible by air, bus, road, sea, shuttle bus, taxi, train or walking.

And reserving tickets is straightforward. Ticket prices vary according to the type and on Centre Court are priced in three categories, which are more expensive the closer you are to the action. Whereas, ground tickets are very reasonably priced and suit for those who prefer the more intimate experience and excitement away from the Centre Court.

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Eastbourne directory

Where to ...

DRINK | Recomended watering holes Eastbourne has plenty of places for a drink, including a wide choice of coffee houses, pubs and wine bars located within walking distance of the tennis courts and the town centre. Dal Maestro offers great cocktails, while the Big Sleep is a well-kept secret and cheap.

EAT | Recommended eateries Eastbourne is littered with some excellent restaurants and a range of places to grab a quick bite. Close to the tennis is the French/Italian restaurant Dal Maestro, which offers meals and snacks to suit all tastes and budgets.

STAY | Recommended hotels & guesthouses With places to sleep to suit all budgets and tastes, we serve up a list of recommended hotels and guesthouses that will tempt you to stay in and around the picturesque seaside resort of sunny Eastbourne. Close to the tennis is the Big Sleep, a retro seafront hotel.

SHOP | Recommended places to spend money Looking for the best place in town to spend your money? Eastbourne has the Arndale Centre for the chain brands, an array of quaint shops off the seafront and a wide collection of jewellery shops.

Reaching Devonshire Park

College Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex. BN21 4JJ

centre courtDevonshire Park, situated a stone's throw off Eastbourne's seafront, is the perfect setting for top class tennis and is highly accessible from all over the world.

The lawn tennis club plays host to the Davis Cup and County matches, as well as the traditional last chance for players to warm-up for Wimbledon.

imageAIR | London Gatwick Eastbourne is located within an hour's journey from London Gatwick international airport, and such accessibility seems to which helps to attract players and spectators to the annual Wimbledon warm-up tournament. 

imageBUS | Other towns & local Bus services from other towns come directly to Eastbourne. During the 2009 AEGON Tournament, the no55 bus service for Meads operates from the bus precinct close to Eastbourne train station and has a designated stop close to Devonshire Park. 

imageROAD | Car, bicycle & motorbike Eastbourne's town centre is littered with roundabouts and one way streets, but is not as confusing as it sounds. Since the 2008 event, parking restrictions have been imposed within the Eastbourne town centre. For out of towners, the main approach roads include the A27 from Brighton, the A259 from Hastings and the A22 from London. 

imageSEA | Newhaven & Channel Tunnel As one of Britain's most popular seaside resorts, Eastbourne has good sea connections. The channel port of Newhaven lies 15 miles away while the Channel Tunnel, Dover and Folkestone are around two hours away. 

imageSHUTTLE BUS | Train station & car parks A special shuttle bus will operate during the main draw of the 2009 AEGON Tournament from Eastbourne train station and certain major car parks directly to Devonshire Park. 

imageTAXI | Hotels & around town The taxi services in Eastbourne tend to be very good and reliable. Taxi ranks line up outside Eastbourne train station, and hotels recommend their favourite taxi services. Eastbourne & Country Taxis can be contacted on +44 (0) 1323 720 720. 

imageTRAIN | Ashford, Brighton & London Eastbourne has excellent train connections, especially with important destinations like Ashford International (65 minutes), Brighton (45 minutes) and London Victoria (85 minutes). 

imageWALK | Town centre There are various routes to the site of the 2009 AEGON Tournament, and regulars to the tennis event will know their own 'special' shortcuts. Most hotels are within a 10 minute walk, while Eastbourne train station is a mere 15 minute walk away.

Parking information

Premium places near Devonshire Park

parking in eastbourneCAR PARKS | Locals attempt to cash in during the tennis event by charging £10 and upwards to park on their property. Beware of the claims the money is going to charity, although some may be genuine. The best bet is to use the three official car parks, as they are all linked to Devonshire Park by a special shuttle service bus during the tournament. There are two NCP car parks, situated at Ashford Road and Trinity Place, plus a special makeshift car park at the Saffrons Cricket Ground in Meads Road.  

OFF-ROAD PARKING | Parking is always at a premium during the popular tournament, and will be much more difficult to claim a space in 2009. With the men's ATP Tour playing alongside the women's Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, there will be twice as many vehicles in theory. And parking restrictions have been imposed in Eastbourne town centre since early 2009. The parking enforcement officers will be out in force to swiftly deal with anyone dumping their vehicles on double yellow lines and/or private properties – you've been warned!

Tickets

Types, prices and how to reserve

devonshire parkDevonshire Park offers tickets on a daily or weekly basis, with ground passes for the outside court and No1 Court while a Centre Court ticket will guarantee you a seat of your choice to see the top stars and leading Brits compete at the inaugural AEGON International in June.
Click here for Centre Court guide
Click here for how to reserve tickets
Click here for ticket prices and types

Hospitality

Unforgettable experience

eastbourne tennisEvery aspect of the inaugural AEGON International at Eastbourne, where events for both the world's leading men and ladies will be played side-by-side, will be taken care of through top class hospitality. And Devonshire Park boasts idyllic settings as well as impressive spectator facilities. 

Comfort, cuisine and world class tennis at Devonshire Park's very own mini-Wimbledon tournament offers an unforgettable experience at the inaugural AEGON International. Enjoy Eastbourne tennis your way.

Click here to email LTA Hospitality about package availability

Packages

Suitable for corporate or private hospitality, these include the following:
• Car parking (a vehicle per two guests) at Devonshire Park
• Complimentary bar within the facility
• Exclusive table for 10 guests
• Glass of Pimms on arrival
• Professional hosts
• Reserved Centre Court tickets
• Souvenir programme
• Three course lunch
• Traditional afternoon tea
• Viewing directly over No1 Court

Prices

£189 | Monday 15 June The third round of qualifying and the first round of the main draw at the 2009 AEGON International are provisionally planned to be played on Monday 15 June. Price £189 per person

£189 | Tuesday 16 June The first round and the second round of the main draw at the 2009 AEGON International are provisionally planned to be played on Tuesday 16 June. Price £189 per person

£189 | Wednesday 17 June The second round of the main draw at the 2009 AEGON International is provisionally planned to be concluded on Wednesday 17 June. Price £189 per person

£249 | Thursday 18 June The quarter-finals of the 2009 AEGON International are provisionally planned to be played on Thursday 18 June. Price £249 per person

£249 | Friday 19 June The semi-finals of the 2009 AEGON International are provisionally planned to be played on Friday 19 June. Price £249 per person


£189 | Saturday 20 June The final of the 2009 AEGON International is provisionally planned to be played on 20 June. Price £189 per person.


Media contacts

For media queries and accreditation

circle of successTo obtain a media accreditation form for the 2009 AEGON International at Eastbourne's Devonshire Park,enquires should be directed with either:
Rhian Evans, LTA Media & PR Manager
Tel | +44(0)208 487 7118 or +44(0)7971 141 332 
Email | Rhian.Evans@LTA.org.uk
Chris Archer, LTA Communications Officer
Tel | +44(0)208 487 7135 or +44(0)7958 234 216 
Email | Chris.Archer@LTA.org.uk

Free text alerts | May 2009 | Features