Coastal Culture Trail - A Winter of Adventure
It’s easy to assume that the beach is just for summer, but ask anyone who has experienced the beauty of the low autumn and winter sun bouncing off the sea, or those impossible clouds that look close enough to reach out and touch, then you’ll know that the coast at Christmas is one of the most magical places to find yourself.
The Coastal Culture Trail is an 18 mile stretch of coastline in Sussex connecting Eastbourne, Bexhill, and Hastings. Each town is unique in atmosphere and celebrates its geography and connection to the coastline. With an independent spirit, these coastal towns have historically attracted makers, creators, artists and musicians, and this is still the case today. You will find the streets full of independent traders and artisanal producers, proudly declaring their home made craft. Today, all three towns are home to three award winning art galleries showcasing the very best in contemporary, and modern art, attracting audiences internationally and nationwide.
Photograph by Marc Atkins
Towner Gallery
Towner Eastbourne proudly wears its love of contemporary art on the outside, giving a taste of what exciting exhibitions must await you inside from this now iconic mural Dancing Diagonal by Lothar Gӧtz. Collecting and exhibiting contemporary art for almost 100 years, Towner Eastbourne has a collection of over 500 works that sits alongside its ever changing contemporary programme, enough to keep you coming back.
De La Warr Pavilion
In Bexhill, the De La Warr Pavilion is a triumph in modernist architecture right on the seafront. The programming ranges from live comedy and music, to art exhibitions and installations from emerging artists, and household names. The cafe and bar has stunning sweeping views across the English Channel, an ever changing artwork in its own right.
Hastings Contemporary
In the heart of the old town of Hastings, you could be forgiven to not seeing Hastings Contemporary at first, as it so successfully nestles in between the black weatherboarded net huts in the middle of the working fishing fleets. A regular host to the works of Artist Patron, Quentin Blake, the gallery has a changing contemporary exhibition programme to explore.
The Coastal Culture Trail encourages green travel, and is easily accessed by bike, on foot, or by the train, which means you can choose to either do the trail in one day, or stay the night and make a weekend of it. With so much to see and do along the trail, with independent shops, micro pubs, award winning restaurants serving the very best in local produce, we’d guess that staying the night and indulging in it all is the best foot forward.