Just along the coast from Eastbourne, on the Bexhill seafront, stands one of Britain’s great architectural treasures: the De La Warr Pavilion. This gleaming white 1935 Modernist masterpiece is now a free contemporary arts centre, with galleries, gigs, films and one of the finest sea-view terraces on the south coast. It makes a brilliant — and free — cultural day out.
A Modernist masterpiece
The De La Warr Pavilion was the brainchild of the 9th Earl De La Warr, the socialist mayor of Bexhill, who dreamed of a “People’s Palace” — a bold, modern building to bring culture and pleasure to the seaside town. A 1934 architectural competition was won by Erich Mendelsohn, a refugee who had fled Nazi Germany, and Serge Chermayeff, and their design was revolutionary: all sweeping curves, sea-facing terraces, vast metal-framed windows and a glorious glazed spiral staircase. Built of concrete, steel and glass, it was the first public building in Britain to use a welded steel frame, and when it opened in December 1935 it was hailed as a landmark of the Modern Movement. Grade I listed and lovingly restored, it reopened in 2005 as a contemporary arts centre and remains one of the most admired buildings of its era in the country.
Did you know? The Pavilion houses one of the largest galleries on the south coast — and, unusually for a venue of its stature, entry to the building and its exhibitions is completely free.
What’s on today
Far from being a museum piece, the Pavilion is a lively, working arts centre with something on almost every day. Its galleries show a changing, free programme of contemporary art by leading and emerging artists, while the auditorium hosts an eclectic line-up of live music, comedy and club nights — from touring bands to big-name comedians. There are film screenings, talks, tours and a full calendar of events for families, children and young people. In summer, the seaside terrace comes alive with free outdoor music, bars and food, and open-air cinema screenings against the backdrop of the sea.
Terrace, café and shop
Even if there’s no show that grabs you, the Pavilion is worth visiting simply to soak up the building and the view. The sweeping sea-facing terrace and balconies offer glorious panoramas along the coast — a perfect spot for a coffee. The café bar serves made-to-order lunches, cakes and scones using local ingredients, while the shop tempts with books, prints, jewellery and design-led homeware, alongside Bexhill’s much-loved independent record store in the foyer. It’s a genuinely relaxing place to while away a couple of hours.
Visiting and getting there
The Pavilion sits right on the seafront in the centre of Bexhill, and is wonderfully easy to reach from Eastbourne — the direct train takes only around twelve minutes, or it’s a twenty-minute drive along the coast, with paid parking nearby. It also forms one point of the Coastal Culture Trail, a scenic walking and cycling route linking it with Towner Eastbourne and the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings — a lovely way to string together the coast’s best art venues.
Good to know: Opening hours and gallery displays change with the programme, and a major conservation project is planned to safeguard the ageing building for the future, so it’s worth checking the official De La Warr Pavilion website for current exhibitions, events and opening times before you visit.
De La Warr Pavilion: FAQs
Is the De La Warr Pavilion free to visit?
Yes — entry to the building and its art exhibitions is free. Some evening gigs, comedy nights and special events are ticketed.
How do I get there from Eastbourne?
The direct train from Eastbourne to Bexhill takes about twelve minutes, and the Pavilion is a short walk from the station. By car it’s around twenty minutes along the A259.
Why is the building famous?
It’s a Grade I-listed 1935 Modernist icon by architects Mendelsohn and Chermayeff — one of Britain’s first and finest Modernist public buildings, celebrated for its sweeping curves, glazed staircase and sea views.
What is there to do there?
Free art exhibitions, live music and comedy, films, family events, a café with sea-view balconies, a shop and record store, and summer terrace events — plus the pleasure of the building itself.
Make a day of it: explore Bexhill, visit Towner Eastbourne at the other end of the Coastal Culture Trail, or browse more day trips from Eastbourne.