Bexhill Museum

Egerton Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 3HL

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Tel+44(0)1424 222058

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From £1.50
Child reading information by a display of seashells at Bexhill Museum

About

It’s curious, it’s quirky, it’s packed to the rafters with diverse objects with a surprise in every cabinet and around every corner. It’s no wonder that Bexhill Museum has such a varied assortment of delights – it’s been around for 105 years.

Whether you’re a local person or a visitor who knows nothing about the town, don’t think there is nothing here for you. The two most common comments in our visitors’ book and online are “I didn’t realise there was so much in it” and “It’s a little gem.”

Four distinct themes

The original gallery has now been joined by three others – the latest being opened in September 2019. Each has a different theme and children are well catered for in each gallery with free quizzes to encourage them to look and find.

We are also getting a name for ourselves among the model railway fraternity with two layouts linked to actor Eddie Izzard, a local lad and the museum patron.

Dinosaurs and natural history

We’re big on dinosaurs. The Sargent Gallery, named after a long-serving curator, has dinosaur footprints (found on the beach) and dinosaur fossils. See a bone from the world’s smallest dinosaur, found in Bexhill.

There are lots of natural history and geology exhibits, giving an impression of a curio collection assembled by Victorian or Edwardian collectors. Indeed, that is where a lot of the stuff came from in the early years of the museum.

One of the surprising sights is the original architects’ model of Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion. Until you see this you won’t realise the town has only half a Pavilion. One of the volunteers will explain it to you.

Costume and social history

The Costume and Social History Gallery has clothing through the ages including a dress worn by Queen Victoria. It has a chequered history.

In between the costumes are old household items and toys – and you don’t have to be too old to recognise some of them. Star Wars, anyone?

And what would a costume gallery be without the opportunity for children to dress up in various costumes? Let them take their pick.

Motor racing and model railways

Bexhill has a part in the history of motor racing in Britain. What is recognised as the first race in the country took place in 1902 along the seafront. Come and discover the reasons behind it. You can also see a reproduction of the car which won the race in the Motoring and Transport Gallery.

Here also is Eddie Izzard’s childhood train set where you can set two trains running. Again, one of our volunteers will explain the story behind the set. Another model railway is the centrepiece of the Bexhill in World War II Gallery. This shows Bexhill in December 1940 when the town was covered in deep snow.

Eddie’s father, John, was a 12-year-old at the time and always remembered the snow so Eddie had the idea of designing a railway layout as a tribute to him. A volunteer will give a presentation about the railway and other items in the gallery.

Oh, and you might also be treated to a volunteer playing on the museum’s 120-year-old piano.

Find out more about the museum, including an interview with its curator, here.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult ticket£3.00 per ticket
Child 6-16 yrs£1.50 per ticket
including students over 16£2.50 per ticket
pre booked groups£2.00 per ticket

Note: Prices are a guide only. For further information please visit the website.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    135
  • Very Good
    81
  • Average
    20
  • Poor
    3
  • Terrible
    1

Recent Reviews:

  • VKS99
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    An excellent local museum
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 5th March 2023
    This is a really well presented and varied museum. The exhibits include a range of objects to illustrate the history of Bexhill and its people, as well as larger individual exhibits such as the model... Read full review
  • Greenlake1958
    How a museum should be !!
    5 of 5 stars
    Monday, 27th March 2023
    What a lovely museum.There are many varied displays to look at and the staff, many of whom are volunteers, are very knowledgeable and helpful. The Izzard family trainsets are wonderful and have... Read full review
  • jean_lee123
    Kent, United Kingdom
    Say hello to Beryl!
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 30th April 2023
    Had read on-line about the museum and the train displays, so on a wet Sunday journey from Kent to East Sussex, it seemed the perfect place to stop off! And we certainly weren't disappointed, from... Read full review

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Nearest major road is B2182 (Bexhill seafront). On north side of West Parade by the clock tower.

Public Transport Directions

Nearest station is Bexhill. Turn right out of station, down Sea Road to promenade. Turn right along promenade, past De La Warr Pavilion onto West Parade. Turn right on reaching clock tower.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors - Braille labels, guides, local history, handling collection and details
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Catering

  • On-Site cafe/restaurant - Vending machines
  • Picnic Site - in adjacent park

Establishment Features

  • Toilets

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Payment Methods

  • Approx length of visit - 3 hours
  • Delta accepted
  • Groups Accepted
  • Maestro Accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Max group size - 55
  • Min group size - 6
  • Open by appointment outside normal opening times
  • Special group rates
  • TIC Staff Admitted Free
  • Visa accepted

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre
  • Indoor Attraction

Specialist Features

  • Marketed Towards Children
  • Marketed Towards Families
  • Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
  • Marketed towards student/youth

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups

Opening Times

2022 (1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022)
DayTimes

* Bexhill Museum is open six days a week, 11:00am to 4:00pm. We are closed on Mondays.
Our normal opening hours are:

Tuesday to Friday: 11am – 4pm

Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 4pm

Awards

  • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

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