The Journey: Bexhill And Its Seafront

The late 19^th century provided the first opportunity for Bexhill to grow into the conurbation we know now today, though there were probably people living here in the Bronze Age. Bronze Age instruments have been discovered in Normans Bay, not far from Bexhill and the hill on which Bexhill Old Town stands would have provided a useful vantage point for settlers. In 1882 the seventh Earl De La Warr, had a seawall built to protect the low-lying marsh lands and eastern sector of the town, he also laid out De La Warr Parade which runs along the seafront and built a luxury hotel, The Sackville.

During the Edwardian period Bexhill became the playground of the aristocracy and in 1901 was one of the first resorts in England to allow mixed bathing!Whit Monday, 1902, saw the first motor race take place in Britain, staged here on Bexhill's seafront and ever since Bexhill has been regarded as the spiritual birthplace of British Motor Racing.

The Town Hall was built in 1894 and opened by the then Mayor of London in 1895, it was subsequently extended in 1908 as the population and demands of the town grew rapidly during this period.

Bexhill's landmark building is probably the De La Warr Pavilion, world famous for it's "modernist" architecture. The 9th Earl De La Warr, then mayor of Bexhill held a competition to design an entertainment centre to lure visitors to the town.

The rules stipulated that the building must contain a concert hall, restaurant and conference rooms; the cost to be no more than £80,000. The winning design was by Eric Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, Their design was to be the first large building constructed with a welded steel frame. The Pavilion was built during 1934/35 on the site of the old Coastguard cottages, and was officially opened on 12th December 1935. The opening ceremony was performed by The Duke and Duchess of York, (the Duke later became King George VI.)

The De La Warr Pavilion was re-opened in October 2005 after an £8 million restoration and refurbishment project, and it was envisioned that it will become the principal centre for contemporary art, architecture, education and entertainment on the south coast.

To view the 1066 to Next Wave timeline click here.