Just along the coast from Eastbourne sits its quieter, more genteel neighbour: Bexhill-on-Sea. Small it may be, but it punches well above its weight — home to one of Britain’s most important modernist buildings, the birthplace of British motor racing, and a wonderfully peaceful promenade. It makes a lovely, relaxed day out. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Getting there
Bexhill sits directly between Eastbourne and Hastings, making it one of the easiest day trips from town. The train is the simplest option: direct services on the coastal line take around 15 minutes, and Bexhill station is a short, level walk from the seafront and the De La Warr Pavilion. By car it’s a straightforward drive of roughly 20–30 minutes along the A259, with seafront and town-centre parking available (check the local pay-and-display signs). It’s flat and compact enough that, once you arrive, you can happily explore the whole town on foot.
The De La Warr Pavilion
The undisputed star of Bexhill is the De La Warr Pavilion, a gleaming white masterpiece of modernist design right on the seafront. Opened in 1935 and often described as one of the first major modernist public buildings in Britain, it was the result of a national architecture competition won by Erich Mendelsohn — a German refugee — and Serge Chermayeff. Built around a pioneering welded-steel frame and designed to resemble a great ocean liner, with sweeping curves, huge windows, sun terraces and a breathtaking spiral staircase, it was the bold vision of Herbrand Sackville, the 9th Earl De La Warr and Bexhill’s socialist mayor, who wanted a landmark to bring the crowds. Grade I listed and beautifully restored in 2005, it now thrives as a contemporary arts centre.
Best of all, it’s free to walk in and explore. You can wander the light-filled galleries — among the largest on the south coast — catch a show in the 1,000-seat auditorium (music, comedy, dance and more), grab lunch or a coffee in the café, and step out onto the terrace for sweeping sea views. Even if you know nothing about architecture, it’s a genuinely uplifting building to spend time in.
Did you know? When news of the pavilion’s opening reached playwright George Bernard Shaw, he is said to have quipped that he was delighted Bexhill had “emerged from barbarism at last.” It has been drawing curious visitors ever since.
The birthplace of British motor racing
Here’s Bexhill’s other surprising claim to fame: it’s officially recognised by the RAC as the birthplace of British motor racing. Back in May 1902, the very first motor races on British soil roared along the seafront on De La Warr Parade — the brainchild of the 8th Earl De La Warr, who owned much of the town and modelled his resort on the glamorous French Riviera, complete with continental touches like mixed bathing. The races were an attempt to make Bexhill the Monte Carlo of the south coast; a stone marker on the seafront commemorates the historic finishing line, and the town still celebrates its motoring heritage with an annual festival that fills the front with classic and vintage vehicles.
The seafront and town
Bexhill’s promenade is its great pleasure — long, wide, uncrowded and perfect for an unhurried stroll, with the shingle beach and colonnade stretching out beneath big Sussex skies. It’s the kind of seafront made for an ice cream and a deckchair. Look out for the seafront café that lent its name to a well-known Keane song, and enjoy some of the finest sunsets on the coast. Up the hill, the older heart of the town has a manor and the ancient parish church, while Bexhill Museum is a delightful small museum covering local history, costume and even the area’s dinosaur fossils. Nearby Egerton Park adds a Victorian boating lake and gardens for a gentle wander.
Good to know: Bexhill is deliberately quieter and sleepier than Eastbourne — that’s its charm rather than a drawback. It’s ideal for a calm, cultured half or full day, but if you’re after buzz, rides and big attractions, keep expectations set for gentle rather than lively.
Planning your day
A relaxed half-day easily covers the Pavilion, a seafront stroll and a bite to eat; a full day lets you add the museum, park and Old Town, or combine Bexhill with nearby Hastings further along the same line. The Pavilion is free to enter, though performances and some special exhibitions are ticketed, so check the programme before you travel. It’s an easy, low-cost outing — and one of the loveliest ways to spend a bright day on the Sussex coast. For a closer comparison of the two towns, see our guide to Eastbourne vs Bexhill.
Bexhill from Eastbourne: FAQs
How do I get from Eastbourne to Bexhill?
Direct trains take around 15 minutes, with Bexhill station a short walk from the seafront. By car it’s roughly 20–30 minutes along the A259.
Is the De La Warr Pavilion free?
Yes — it’s free to enter and explore the building and galleries. Performances in the auditorium and some special exhibitions are ticketed, so check the programme in advance.
What is Bexhill famous for?
Two things above all: the iconic 1935 De La Warr Pavilion, a landmark of modernist architecture, and being the officially recognised birthplace of British motor racing, dating to seafront races in 1902.
Is Bexhill worth visiting?
Absolutely, for a relaxed, cultured day out — the Pavilion alone is worth the trip, and the peaceful promenade is a real tonic. Just don’t expect the buzz of a bigger resort; Bexhill’s appeal is its calm.
More days out from Eastbourne: compare the towns in Eastbourne vs Bexhill, explore Hastings, or plan the journey with our days out by train guide.