A glimse of Bexhill on Sea

Mention Bexhill on Sea and everyone thinks of elderly people. God's waiting room. And that is not without reason. Bexhill does have the greatest density of retired folk anywhere in England. And I moved here last year! Here at least, I'm still a relative youngster!
It's a seaside resort which time seems to have passed by. It has hotels and it has restaurants. But they are modest and in many cases, a little old fashioned. The town does have it's fair share of visitors - mostly from the North of Emgland. They arrive in coachloads, usually on fully inclusive packages, but contribute very little to the wellbeing of the town. Bexhill has a level seafront which is easy for the elderly to totter along, and there, they are not bothered by hoards of noisy young people as they would be in Bexhill's larger more brash neighbours such as Eastbourne and Hastings.

There are however, quite a few young students from abroad staying here for a few weeks in the Summer. They are usually in their early teens, and come here in groups from Europe and Asia with the aim of brushing up on theit English. Local families are able to boost their income by being host to as many of these kids as they can cram in to their homes!

The town centre is a pretty uninspiring place. It's no suprise that the largest buisiness in the main shopping street is an undertaker which goes by the somewhat unfortunate name of Mummeries. This prime retail site is flanked on either side by charity shops. It's often occured to me that you could drop Auntie Maisie of at the funeral parlour, then pop her old possesions into Oxfam in one journey!

Most usual high street names are there, albeit in fairly small shops. There are however, for some inexplicable reason, a large number of stores which trade in very expensive and luxurious nic-nacs for the elegant home.

There are no pubs of any note. Those that do exist are fairly grim, particularly late at night when they seem to atract a fairly unsavoury clientelle.

Recently though, a few fairly decent bistro style cafe bars have appeared which has injected a little style into this otherwise dreary town centre.

We do have one jewel! The De La Warr Pavillion. This stunning theatre cum exhibition centre dominates the sea front and is the focal point for all things artistic in the town.. It has to be said that it's Art Deco stying is not to everyones taste, but it is considered the finest piece of architecture of it's type anywhere in Europe. Our other claim to fame is that Bexhill is the home of British motor racing!

The beach is by resort standards very quiet. Its mainly shingle at high tide, but when the sea receeds, an expanse of golden sand appears. There are no shops along the promenade - just a couple of quiosks selling ice cream. At the top of the beach are hundreds of little white beach huts which can be rented for the day.

So there you have it! Bexhill on Sea. A simple seaside town. Unpretentious, but with an old-world charm all of it's own.

To see my complete set of Bexhill photos click here!http://keithsimages.blogspot.com/2007/08/this-is-bexhill-on-sea-east-sussex.html

More than just dirty weekends!

The city of Brighton! Fish and chips, candy floss, kiss-me-quick hats and dirty weekends! London by the sea! You name it, Brighton's got it.

My journey is best taken on the top deck of the Cliff Hanger bus. Our towns are linked by a spectacular string of chalk cliffs. A snow white roller coaster of misty heights and lush valleys. Today the sky is blue as I have ever seen it, and the sea a deep aquamarine.

Brighton pier was built by the Victorians. Originally one of a pair, the West pier was seriously damaged many years ago, and despite the efforts of conservation groups and high profile celebrities, the elements have succeeded in ruining it beyond repair. The main pier is an amazing finger of fun projecting into the sea. From beginning to end, it's a garish and vulgar mix of amusements, candy shops and spinning fairground rides. It epitomizes the English seaside experience. Loud piped music, and screaming laughing kids create a cacophony of sound.

One of Brighton's best know attractions is the Royal Pavilion. Originally a farmhouse, It was acquired by George IV in the mid 1700's and remodelled by John Nash to resemble an Indian Mughal Palace, with onion shaped domes and elaborate stonework. The extravagant interior is furnished a Chinese style, and it has now become a venue for exhibitions and concerts.Beautiful lawns and gardens surround the palace and today there is hardly a space to be had as families enjoy the sun amid the flowers and shrubs. A jazz band plays outside the little cafe which is selling tea and home made cakes.

Right in the centre of town are the Lanes, a maze of narrow streets and intriguing shops. Restaurants and pubs rub shoulders with goldsmiths and art galleries. The North Lane is another area of Brighton overflowing with specialist shops. Arts and crafts, Gothic attire and tattooists! Street sellers and buskers.A mish mash of colours and styles which somehow works!

The busy seafront road conceals a secret down below! A series of arches at sea level, house dozens of rounded little shops and bars, with a charm all of their own. Artists display their canvasses alongside souvenir shops and pickled fish stalls.

I always find it difficult to drag myself away from Brighton. It's everything to everyone. It's they gay capital of Britain and a centre for music and the arts. It has universities, and language schools by the score. Sweeping Regency crescents and grand Victorian houses. To one side the rolling Sussex countryside, and the other the English Channel and France. Perfect!


To see the rest of my Brighton photos go to http://www.keithsimages.com/