Beachy Head and the Eastbourne area was once again the sunniest place on the coast last year with 1693 hours of sunshine. Eastbourne and the surrounding area is regularly cited as being the sunniest place in the UK. Its location on the south coast, with shelter provided by the cliffs of Beachy Head and the South Downs beyond, gives it a mild climate with high levels of sunshine. The town holds the record for the highest recorded amount of sunshine in a single month – 383.9 hours in July 1911.