Bexhill Museum

About the museum

Bexhill Museum opened in 1914, thanks mainly to the Reverend J. C. Thompson and Kate Marsden. It was housed in the Egerton Park Shelter Hall, a small entertainment pavilion built in 1903 for visitors to the park, which the local authority leased to the museum and still supports with a small grant. The Reverend Thompson was honorary curator until 1924.

Henry Sargent joined the museum in 1920, worked there until his death in 1983 and is remembered as its longest-serving curator. He built up the collections in natural history, geology and archaeology, and mounted birds came to dominate the early displays. The Bexhill Museum Association, the governing body, was founded in 1923. When Sargent died, a small group of volunteers kept the museum open and persuaded the district council to continue its support. A professional curator was appointed for the district in 1986.

Today the museum is run by Bexhill Museum Ltd, a volunteer-run registered charity, and remains independent. The Sargent Gallery keeps the feel of an Edwardian museum with shells, dinosaurs, birds and archaeology as well as objects from Egypt, Peru and other parts of the world. Other galleries cover costume and social history, motoring heritage, and Bexhill in the Second World War, where a winter wartime model railway conceived by the museum's patron Eddie Izzard is the centrepiece. Bexhill staged Britain's first motor races in 1902, a story told in the technology collection.

Highlights

• Sargent Gallery with natural history, geology, archaeology and world cultures
• Dinosaur footprints and local fossils
• Bexhill 1940 winter wartime model railway conceived by Eddie Izzard
• Technology collection on Bexhill as the birthplace of British motor racing
• Costume and social history gallery

Permanent exhibitions

• The Sargent Collection – An Edwardian-style gallery with natural history, geology, archaeology and objects from Egypt, Peru and other parts of the world.
• The Technology Collection – Displays on Bexhill as the birthplace of British motor racing in 1902, with cars and hands-on activities.
• Bexhill in WWII Gallery – A gallery on the town in the Second World War, centred on the Bexhill 1940 winter wartime model railway.

Founded

1914

Operated by

Bexhill Museum Ltd (volunteer-run registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The museum is almost entirely self-funded: more than 90 per cent of its running costs come from admissions, shop and café sales, fundraising events and educational activities, and the local council still gives a small annual grant.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum describes its entrance, galleries and circulation spaces as fully accessible. The front entrance has three steps and a ramp, both with handrails. The two floors are connected by easy stairs and a lift, with no changes of level within each floor. The accessible toilet is on the lower level. There is a hearing loop, some objects can be handled, and assistance dogs are welcome. Three disabled parking bays are beside the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The museum describes learning activities for all ages. The technology collection has hands-on displays such as changing a tyre and fitting spark plugs. Baby changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is just north of the seafront on West Parade, behind the Clock Tower, and is signposted from West Parade and the De La Warr Pavilion. Egerton Road runs beside Egerton Park.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a shop. Toilets with an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities are available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 40 guests.

A room seating up to 40 people can be hired at £17.50 per hour, or £20 per hour outside opening hours. It has a projector linked to a computer and screen, and hirers may use the kitchen and bring their own supplies. There is also a fully equipped education room. Contact the museum for details.

Plan your visit