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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- Jacob KMaidstone, United Kingdom38 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 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 3, 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 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 5, 2024
- Roam54956447542Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom1 contributionThe seats are so uncomfortableSaw Ed Byrne the other night. Ed was great, so was the support Michelle Shaughnessy, but I have to say the new seats in the stalls are TERRIBLE. The seat is so small it’s like a child’s seat and the padding is almost non-existent. I’m 6’3” and only had my bum-cheeks on the seat with no support for my legs at all. Plus, being plastic and flexible they tipped forward. As a consequence my backside was numb in less than 30 mins and I was fidgeting to get the feeling back for the rest of the show. Very disappointed - I have tickets for several upcoming shows and so not looking forward to a repeat of this experience. We've seen a lot of great bands here and always said the old seats needed updating. They might have been a bit tatty and tired, but at least they were comfortable. Careful what you wish for!Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 16, 2024
- Jim BusherHill Head, United Kingdom377 contributionsThird gig at this amazing venueAttended my third gig at the De La Warr despite it being over a two hour drive. They get some amazing bands you can see in a unique seaside venue. Door and security staff are very welcoming and ticket and wristband exchange is very quick. I didn’t use the car as I was driving but the cafe is highly recommended. The pop up vinyl shop is very tempting (I resisted). The venue itself is amazing, great sound, relaxed atmosphere and a great view wherever you stand. Highly recommendedVisited February 2025Traveled with friendsWritten January 31, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
984 reviews
Excellent
415
Very good
320
Average
131
Poor
76
Terrible
42
hiddeninherhead
United Kingdom114 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
I recently moved to Bexhill and live a 2 minute walk from the De La Warr. I’m a frequent visitor and member.
The building is a stunning, modernist building. Not only is the architecture nice to look at, so are the views from inside, looking out to Bexhill beach.
Even without being a member, there are two free-to-view galleries which are updated regularly, a great café and gift shop.
I’d highly recommend becoming a member as you get a lot for your money, whilst supporting the DLW.
It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, be it viewing the artwork, photographing the building/views, or catching up with friends in the café.
The building is a stunning, modernist building. Not only is the architecture nice to look at, so are the views from inside, looking out to Bexhill beach.
Even without being a member, there are two free-to-view galleries which are updated regularly, a great café and gift shop.
I’d highly recommend becoming a member as you get a lot for your money, whilst supporting the DLW.
It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, be it viewing the artwork, photographing the building/views, or catching up with friends in the café.
Written August 5, 2023
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.
Jim Busher
Hill Head, UK377 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Visited the venue for the first time. Wonderful place to visit at sunset. Good bars, interesting art and a great pop up vinyl store. The quality of sound in the main hall was excellent and the standing area was spacious and I would highly recommend seeing a favourite band here.
Written April 22, 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.
Bartonbears
Coffs Harbour, Australia2,779 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
If you have an interest in architecture this 1930s Modernist building is well worth seeing. It is now a gallery and cultural centre with a good art bookshop and a cafe. The spiral staircase still holds its own in terms of simple, elegant and functional design.
Written May 27, 2023
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.
Debbie C
Polegate, UK70 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
I have never been here before and was quite shocked at the inside of the theatre. It is grey and unwelcoming. A cool breeze blew on us in the balcony seating area. There were 2 toilets for ladies on the landing at this level and the men were queuing all along the corridor. My partner went downstairs where it wasn't quite so busy but he said again there were not nearly enough toilets for the number of people there. All in all 20 minutes of the interval was wasted queuing, so we didn't spend any money in the bar a bit of an own goal as they say. Also there are not nearly enough parking spaces unless you arrive early. Guenther Steiner was brilliant by the way.
Written October 6, 2024
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.
heather l
Battle, UK4 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
The most shocking seats - other reviews have picked this up too. I rang the De La Warr and was told the seats on the ground floor are being replaced and therefore there have temporary ones in place. I asked when the new ones would come but they did not seem to know. They are truly awful - no seat depth so your bottom is literally on the edge of the seat and the back tips forward so you are held in a totally wrong position, painful and very uncomfortable. Plus the seats are so close together. I'm told a number of people have complained but I think more people need to contact them for pressure to be put on to replace asap. We are regular visitors to the DLW so this was very disappointing.
Written October 25, 2024
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
Sep 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 September 11, 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.
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 May 6, 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.
Googly2010
Tonbridge, UK825 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 October 30, 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.
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 May 30, 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 October 11, 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 January 25, 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 February 5, 2020
What are the best view seats in the theatre? I am vertically challenged and hate not being able to see!
Written January 24, 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 January 28, 2018
If you are going to see live music on the stage, where is the best place to sit please, stalls?
Written March 21, 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 March 22, 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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