De La Warr Pavilion
De La Warr Pavilion
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
We are a Grade One Listed 1930s modernist building on the sea front in Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, recently refurbished as a centre for the arts. When you walk in, you will find Gallery 1, a large gallery, on the ground floor. The current exhibition is Willem Sandberg: from type to image which opened on 30 April and continues until 4 September. On the ground floor you will also find the Box Office and Information Desk where tickets can be booked for any of our live events. There is also a shop where you can buy books, prints, cards and gifts. We have a large, 1930s auditorium where we present contemporary music, comedy, cinema and other live events. We also have a busy programme of courses, workshops and activities for all ages. Upstairs is Gallery 2, which reopens on Saturday 18 June with The People's Pavilion: Our First 80 Years and continues until Sunday 31 June. Our popular Café Bar & Kitchen can also be found on the second floor and serves delicious warming lunches, tasty salads and freshly - prepared soups and sandwiches to enjoy using locally-sourced ingredients. Our generously - sized home-made cakes, scones and cookies are too tempting to resist and are perfect when served with a delicious Illy Coffee and Fair Trade teas -perfect after a walk along the seafront on a cold winter's day. There is a children's lunch menu for those who want to treat the family. We also serve bar food before evening shows and offer a breakfast menu at weekends. There is a changing display of installations in the rooftop foyer. Doing Looking Working Performing (DLWP) opens Saturday 18 June in parallel to exhibition in Gallery 2. Starting with an eight hour improvised installation using sound and objects by two artists. The resulting installation will be open until 31 July. If the weather is good, you can step out on to the roof to enjoy the best views of the English Channel, all the way to Beachy Head. There is a large Rother District car park (free after 8pm) and free parking along the seafront. The Pavilion is less than 10 minutes walk from the station.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Jean FGreat Bookham, United Kingdom252 contributionsIconic landmarkOn a trip to Bexhill, we enjoyed looking around this amazing landmark and had a nice cup of coffee. Views from the cafe and balcony are lovely, plus there is a gift shop and various stalls. Certainly a 'must' to visit if you are in Bexhill. Plenty of parking in the car park.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 September 2023
- Jacob KMaidstone, United Kingdom31 contributionsoutstanding cafécame here for breakfast and it was utterly phenomenal! the service is amazing with everyone maintaining an amazing workplace attitude and atmosphere. the full english breakfasts are to die for!!! sooo good!! there was only one issue in which one breakfast had no black pudding but this was quickly resolved and the chef gave us an extra piece, very kind! an amazing experience, shout out to all the staff in the café, you all do a great job! (:Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 April 2024
- Jane O’BrienIsle of Wight, United Kingdom28 contributionsGreat VenueWent to see The Average White Band here on Friday night and found the opposite to lots of other reviews!! We found the staff very helpful and friendly and I was pleasantly surprised as there was an area up stairs at the back of the circle where people could dance. This is very different to most other venues I have been to as now you generally can not stand up or dance there was lots of people dancing down stairs too. My husband has a bad knee and was struggling in his seat so he was able to move to the back of the circle area where there was also a few chairs where he could stretch out his leg Great experience yes you had to queue for the bar and the loos but not for too long at all I have been to many other places where the wait has been much longer Great venue we all enjoyed the experience and the showVisited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 5 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
976 reviews
Excellent
415
Very good
319
Average
129
Poor
72
Terrible
41
Bryan S
Heathfield, United Kingdom17 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Not worth the effort for a coffee. Two staff on main entrance send you to box office for a ticket to enter, queue to enter the restaurant to be shown to a table. Form to fill in for order for table service. Gave up waiting to be served after 10 minutes when not busy.
Written 3 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lazerbean
Eastbourne, UK5 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We went on Sunday 30th May at 10:45. We left at 11:20, having been ignored and not served. There was 4 of us, 3 adults and 1 young child.
We were instructed to choose any table and that the menu would be on the table. We were told it’s table service so take a seat and someone will be over. The table we picked had recently been cleaned as there was a sign on it saying it was clean, except it had crumbs on it and was missing the menus. We sat down anyway, and I picked up a menu from the side.
10 minutes later a server asked us if we have filled in the menus, I advised there is no pencil on the table. He gave us one. I asked what cakes they had, which he could roughly recite, but said we can go and look at the display. This kind of defeats the whole table service thing, but we proceeded to go up to the cabinets and look at these. We then sat back down and filled in the menu form and put it at the edge of the table so could clearly be seen.
We waited 20 minutes, whilst the 5 servers proceeded to serve/clean tables/clear tables/ take second orders from other tables. Numerous servers walked past us, obviously glancing down at our completed menu, and chose to ignore this.
Eventually we decided that we didn’t want to wait any longer, so we put on our coats and left, with grumble tummy’s and thirst for a cup of tea, not quenched. What’s worse is that servers saw us leaving, and they didn’t say anything, wish us well, it’s if they couldn’t be bothered in all honesty, and just not wanting to take ownership of the situation or serving of us.
It’s a beautiful view of the sea, but such a shame that clearly the servers who were available really didn’t want to finish what the first server started. Bad communication and no attentiveness displayed on this visit. A real shame as we were wanting this to be a regular visit fir us. We enjoyed coming here before lock down.
We were instructed to choose any table and that the menu would be on the table. We were told it’s table service so take a seat and someone will be over. The table we picked had recently been cleaned as there was a sign on it saying it was clean, except it had crumbs on it and was missing the menus. We sat down anyway, and I picked up a menu from the side.
10 minutes later a server asked us if we have filled in the menus, I advised there is no pencil on the table. He gave us one. I asked what cakes they had, which he could roughly recite, but said we can go and look at the display. This kind of defeats the whole table service thing, but we proceeded to go up to the cabinets and look at these. We then sat back down and filled in the menu form and put it at the edge of the table so could clearly be seen.
We waited 20 minutes, whilst the 5 servers proceeded to serve/clean tables/clear tables/ take second orders from other tables. Numerous servers walked past us, obviously glancing down at our completed menu, and chose to ignore this.
Eventually we decided that we didn’t want to wait any longer, so we put on our coats and left, with grumble tummy’s and thirst for a cup of tea, not quenched. What’s worse is that servers saw us leaving, and they didn’t say anything, wish us well, it’s if they couldn’t be bothered in all honesty, and just not wanting to take ownership of the situation or serving of us.
It’s a beautiful view of the sea, but such a shame that clearly the servers who were available really didn’t want to finish what the first server started. Bad communication and no attentiveness displayed on this visit. A real shame as we were wanting this to be a regular visit fir us. We enjoyed coming here before lock down.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew J
Worthing, UK36 contributions
Oct 2021
Great building, good venue been a number of times but poor re-scheduled event refund policy. Out of 8 re-scheduled events I had booked for last year only De La Warr wouldn't refund the ticket, 'Refunds will be considered up until the day before the original date of the event'. The new date was over 11 months in the future, a lot can happen in that time, and it did, a long awaited hospital treatment meant I couldn't attend the re-scheduled date. I lost my money, concert was sold out but there was, at least, one empty seat, I am sure a fan would have happily snapped that one up.
Written 11 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LYN P
6 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Booked pre theatre meal. Both quality and quantity poor. Beer served in plastic glasses. I understand about no glass in the theatre, but surely drinks can be served in proper glasses in the restaurant? Reason given was that customers could not be trusted to behave properly and might throw glasses at the performers!!!!! Caps removed from bottled water for the same reason!!! All customers treated like potential vandals. A very weird approach 🤷♀️
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SStandley33
Willingdon, UK85 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
Visited for Tom Odell concert, poorly managed, no proper queuing system once inside, making it unfair for those who had queued for hours outside as they were pushed out the way, incited a free for all whereby minors were running to get to the front, highly dangerous and not managed well at all. Plenty of time for staff to have allowed people in slowly group by group. Through each set of doors. Could have put a proper system in place once inside. Have been to huge venues that have been safer. Would not recommend for children. Very lucky our children didn’t get hurt.
Security guard and events manager rude and didn’t seem to care.
Security guard and events manager rude and didn’t seem to care.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IgnorantBystander
Edinburgh, UK275 contributions
Mar 2020
They have kept this building pristine and added a lively programme of events and art gallery shows. The building itself it beautiful from every angle. You just want to walk round and through to see it from every angle. It is an architectural gem and totally unique in my experience. (How it comes to be in staid, old Bexhill, I will never know). I've been coming for 50 years and for me it is full of memories too.
Local boy, Eddie Izzard, has contributed to much of what you see here, so hats off to him!
Local boy, Eddie Izzard, has contributed to much of what you see here, so hats off to him!
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew
St. Albans, UK7,126 contributions
Jul 2021
We visited the 1935 Art Deco De La Warr Pavilion whilst an art exhibition, entitled “Indifferent Deep”, was occurring outside and around the pavilion (the pavilion became a contemporary arts centre in 2005 following restoration work).
Situated on Bexhill seafront, above the impressive King George V Colonnade, the pavilion offers good views from the roof.
There is car parking just outside (although the instructions on the machines were not quite correct) - basically you pay for a full day, then re-scan you Credit Card when leaving and it adjusts the charge for the period you were actually there.
Situated on Bexhill seafront, above the impressive King George V Colonnade, the pavilion offers good views from the roof.
There is car parking just outside (although the instructions on the machines were not quite correct) - basically you pay for a full day, then re-scan you Credit Card when leaving and it adjusts the charge for the period you were actually there.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
XXFemale
Tunbridge Wells31 contributions
Jun 2021
This is an interesting building and worth a visit for its architectural merit. The cafe was okay. One of the galleries had a disappointing display of craft / handiwork which was terrible alongside tedious propaganda about migration. The other gallery had a fantastic display of conceptual art which was beautifully curated and displayed. The bookshop was great.
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Googly2010
Tonbridge, UK814 contributions
Oct 2022
On a balmy end of October day we admired this iconic building as we strolled along the promenade in the afternoon. We entered to visit an interesting art/photo exhibition (there is usually something to see in the gallery) and later enjoyed seeing Beth Nielsen Chapman and band in the wonderful auditorium. I feel ashamed to admit that this was our first music visit, but it certainly won’t be the last!
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marg W
1 contribution
May 2021 • Couples
I visited with a friend last Wednesday after saying it was worth it as had been many times before.
Of course we allowed for covid and that was fine, what is not acceptable is the service. We went to the table as directed, completed a piece of paper each but this in itself is a nonsense as the staff had to take details in any event. We waited for 15 minutes and as there were 4/5 staff all chatting with just one other customer having arrived said to my friend maybe you can pick your own cake, he went up and was sent back to the table where we waited for another five minutes.
We ordered, coffee was fine and fruit juice, both cakes stale. Having read the reviews from last year is it beyond the wit of those in charge to up their game. We had been staying at the Langham hotel and they managed to use plates of China and glass. I am not commenting further on the sloppy service. I used to really enjoy coming here to eat and made a point of it. I actually don't understand why it is so difficult to get this right.
Of course we allowed for covid and that was fine, what is not acceptable is the service. We went to the table as directed, completed a piece of paper each but this in itself is a nonsense as the staff had to take details in any event. We waited for 15 minutes and as there were 4/5 staff all chatting with just one other customer having arrived said to my friend maybe you can pick your own cake, he went up and was sent back to the table where we waited for another five minutes.
We ordered, coffee was fine and fruit juice, both cakes stale. Having read the reviews from last year is it beyond the wit of those in charge to up their game. We had been staying at the Langham hotel and they managed to use plates of China and glass. I am not commenting further on the sloppy service. I used to really enjoy coming here to eat and made a point of it. I actually don't understand why it is so difficult to get this right.
Written 25 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am looking at buying tickets to see a comedian and the only seats left are in the stalls or the terrace - which is better?
Written 25 January 2020
I think middle stalls are probably better...if terrace you mean balcony, again I would choose middle towards the front.... hope this is helpful
Written 5 February 2020
What are the best view seats in the theatre? I am vertically challenged and hate not being able to see!
Written 24 January 2018
I will never go up stairs..seats seem a lot tighter.
Downstairs the best seats I have found are rows M and O
these seem to be slightly elevated........my wife who is 5ft 4ins likes these .
Written 28 January 2018
If you are going to see live music on the stage, where is the best place to sit please, stalls?
Written 21 March 2015
Ola,
Yes, sit as close in the middle as you can in the stalls. Although the venue isn't huge, it is quite long.
Enjoy Bexhill.
Written 22 March 2015
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