Living in Bexhill on Sea

The sense of community in Bexhill on Sea is renowned, with a notable emphasis on local involvement, volunteering, and intergenerational support. The area is community-driven, with residents frequently engaging in neighbourhood activities and local clubs.

Weekly markets, farmers’ stalls, and craft fairs add to the close-knit social fabric, held in the town square or near the seafront. The annual Bexhill Festival of the Sea and Classic Car Show bring locals together and draw visitors from across the region.

Green spaces play a significant role in daily life here, with Egerton Park and the picturesque seafront gardens providing tranquil settings for strolls, picnics, and children’s play. The De La Warr Pavilion serves as both art gallery and community centre, hosting exhibitions and workshops. Active community groups cater to a range of interests, from history and gardening to arts and sporting activities, helping to integrate newcomers and long-term residents alike.

The perception of safety in Bexhill on Sea is generally positive, particularly given its large population of retirees and families. Crime rates in Bexhill on Sea are lower than those in larger urban centres, with most recorded incidents relating to petty theft, anti-social behaviour, or occasional property crime. Violent crime is less common, and many residents report feeling safe walking in the neighbourhood at all hours.

The town centre and seafront areas are well-patrolled, and community-based policing helps foster a visible and reassuring police presence. Local Neighbourhood Watch schemes are in operation, encouraging community vigilance and regular communication with local authorities. Recent years have also seen investment in improved street lighting and CCTV in public spaces, especially around the station, promenade, and main shopping zones.

Recent regeneration projects have targeted specific hotspots to further enhance safety, with a focus on creating well-lit, active spaces and encouraging greater use of public areas by all age groups.

Parking in Bexhill on Sea is manageable compared to busier coastal resorts. The town centre and seafront offer a mix of pay-and-display car parks, on-street spaces, and resident permit schemes, particularly close to the promenade, major attractions, and shopping areas. Residential streets further from the centre generally have ample free parking.

Traffic congestion is generally modest, except during peak holiday times. The A259 passes through Bexhill, providing a key artery for east-west travel and fast access to surrounding areas.

For road journeys, Bexhill on Sea is conveniently situated for reaching surrounding towns and cities. Here are approximate travel distances:

• Hastings – approx. 6 miles / 15 minutes via A259
• Eastbourne – approx. 13 miles / 25 minutes via A259
• Battle – approx. 5 miles / 15 minutes via A269
• Brighton – approx. 34 miles / 1 hour via A259 and A27

Bexhill on Sea’s food and drink scene reflects its seaside heritage and growing cosmopolitan influences. The town centre and seafront are dotted with independent cafés, fish and chip shops, bakeries, and ice cream parlours. Seafood restaurants such as The Picture Playhouse or The Italian Way are locally popular, while contemporary options like The Sackville Bistro offer modern menus in stylish settings.

There is no shortage of traditional pubs; establishments like The Royal Sovereign and The Wheatsheaf provide classic real ales and sociable atmospheres. The De La Warr Pavilion's on-site café-bar is a cultural landmark, serving food and drinks with sea views and hosting live events. Craft beer bars and wine shops are becoming more visible, reflecting changing tastes within the community.

While Bexhill on Sea enjoys a relaxed social scene, there’s an expanding nightlife with live music venues, open mic evenings, and jazz at local bars throughout the year. For late-night clubs or a more energetic nightlife, residents often look to Hastings, which is a short train or taxi ride away. Bexhill's main social events calendar includes theatre shows at the De La Warr and regular festivals, adding to the local vibrancy.

School quality: Bexhill on Sea offers a range of primary and secondary schools, many with positive Ofsted reports and active parental involvement, ensuring educational needs are well catered for in most catchments.

Parks and green space: Egerton Park and the seafront gardens provide popular, safe spaces for outdoor play, sports, and family relaxation. The close proximity to the beach also offers children plenty of room for active outdoor fun.

Childcare: There are numerous nurseries and childminding services within Bexhill, supporting working families with reliable options before and after school hours.

Safety: The area is perceived as safe, with low crime levels compared to urban areas and a supportive local community, giving families peace of mind.

Family activities: Local museums, playgrounds, community events, and the seaside location provide a wealth of activities for children of all ages. The town’s libraries and leisure centres further enhance family-friendly living.

Bexhill on Sea is exceptionally well-suited to residents with pets. The town’s lengthy seafront promenade and wide beaches are popular with dog walkers, with many stretches of beach welcome to dogs throughout the year, especially between October and April. Egerton Park and other green areas provide further opportunities for exercise and off-lead play.

There is an array of local veterinary practices, pet grooming salons, and pet supply stores catering to the needs of animal lovers. Increasingly, Bexhill’s cafes and pubs are dog-friendly, providing water bowls and a warm welcome to four-legged customers.

The general attitude towards pets is positive, with landlords more likely than average to permit animals in rental properties, and frequent community events such as dog shows testifying to the area’s pet-friendly ethos.

Bexhill on Sea benefits from a range of public transport options and road connections, making travel to nearby towns and further afield straightforward. The primary transport hub is Bexhill railway station, located in the centre of town with regular Southern Railway services.

Trains run both east and west, linking Bexhill directly with Hastings (about 10 minutes), Eastbourne (15–20 minutes), and on to Brighton or London Victoria (typically under two hours, with a change at Hastings or Eastbourne). Bus services provide frequent local and interurban connections, including direct routes to Battle, St Leonards, and other coastal settlements.

The A259 coastal road runs through Bexhill on Sea, giving efficient car access to the rest of East Sussex and Kent, while the Cooden Bridge and surrounding stations broaden rail reach to rural Sussex. For air travel, London Gatwick Airport is approximately 50 miles away by road and can be reached in around 90 minutes by train or car.

Key commute times from Bexhill on Sea:

• London Victoria – approx. 1 hour 55 minutes by train, with 1 change
• Brighton – approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by train, usually with 1 change
• Hastings – approx. 10 minutes by train, 15 minutes by car
• Eastbourne – approx. 20 minutes by train, 25 minutes by car

Bexhill on Sea provides a selection of educational opportunities across all age ranges, serving both local families and those moving into the area. The town features a balance between state-run and independent education, with several highly regarded options nearby.

Primary Schools

Bexhill's primary schools include King Offa Primary Academy, which has established a good reputation for its inclusive environment (Ofsted Good, 2022), and Saxon Mount School, offering a specialist curriculum for pupils with special educational needs. St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School also serves central Bexhill and neighbouring communities, noted for its strong pastoral support (Ofsted Good, 2017).

Secondary Schools

The main secondary institution is Bexhill Academy, a mixed comprehensive serving ages 11-16 with a focus on broad curriculum and after-school activities (Ofsted Good, 2019). St Richard's Catholic College stands out for consistently high academic results and a nurturing, values-driven approach (Ofsted Outstanding, 2013).

Colleges & Sixth Forms

School leavers typically progress to Bexhill College, a large sixth form college known for its wide choice of A-levels, vocational courses, and performance in creative arts and sciences. The college is a destination for students from across East Sussex and is continually praised for its modern facilities and student support.

Universities

While Bexhill on Sea does not have a university itself, the nearby University of Brighton (Hastings campus) and University of Sussex (at Falmer, Brighton) are within easy commuting distance and offer a wide variety of higher education courses. The proximity to these universities provides flexible options for local students wishing to study while remaining close to home.