De La Warr Pavilion

About the venue

The De La Warr Pavilion reopened to the public on 15 October 2005 after an £8 million restoration and refurbishment project.

It is the principal centre for contemporary art, architecture, education and entertainment on the south coast. With good food, a welcoming atmosphere and panoramic sea views, it offers a unique high quality experience to all its visitors. Venue hire Commissioned by the 9th Earl De La Warr in 1935 and designed by architects Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, the De La Warr Pavilion was the UK‘s first public building built in the Modernist style. Pioneering in structure as it was in spirit, the purpose of this steel and concrete Pavilion was to provide accessible culture and leisure for the people of Bexhill and beyond and so regenerate the economy of the town and the surrounding area. Seventy years later, an £8 million restoration and redevelopment project has enabled the De La Warr Pavilion to fulfil its original ambitions whilst creating new aspirations for the building and its visitors. Following its re-opening in October 2005, the Pavilion has: One of the largest contemporary art galleries in South East England A fine auditorium seating up to 1,000 people Roof and ground floor terraces, including an award-winning bandstand A first-class café, bar and restaurant with outdoor sun terraces A shop specialising in books and merchandise on arts and culture Indoor and outdoor spaces to sit, relax and enjoy panoramic sea views