Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex has been given the nickname “God’s waiting room” because more than a third of its population are over 65, but Londoners are still moving there
A sleepy seaside town affectionately known as ‘God’s waiting room’ is catching the eye of more and more day trippers.
City dwellers eyeing a change of scenery are flocking to a picturesque seaside town on the south coast, where 34% of the inhabitants are aged 65 and above. Despite this nickname, an influx of younger professionals from the Big Smoke are not just choosing to visit Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex, but are selecting it as their new home.
One of the top draws for both locals and tourists is the picturesque Bexhill Beach, perfect for invigorating strolls along its shores. Stretching about two miles from Galley Hill in the west to the Polegrove recreation ground in the east, the beach provides stunning views over the English Channel and is a favourite spot for swimmers. It’s no wonder that Bexhill Beach ranks as one of the top local attractions on Tripadvisor.
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Bexhill-on-Sea, along with neighbouring Eastbourne and Hastings, basks in more sunshine than much of the UK, enjoying an average of 1,892 hours of sun annually – nearly 500 hours above the British average.
Discover Bexhill, the local tourism guide website, proudly proclaims: “Bexhill-on-Sea is the birthplace of British motor racing, home of the De La Warr Pavilion and Guinness World Record breaker for the largest Charleston dance. Bexhill is a charming seaside town located at the heart of 1066 Country. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic coastal views, historic architecture, and cultural heritage. Our town has a long history, dating back to the Norman conquest, and is home to several historic buildings and landmarks, such as the De La Warr Pavilion, a modernist building that serves as a centre for arts and culture.”
Its beaches became the first in the UK to offer mixed bathing, which was a rather bold and scandalous move at the time, and the town is officially recognised as the ‘birthplace of British Motor Racing’.
Despite its many claims to fame, the town had been somewhat neglected since its glory days – and was branded as being ‘left behind’ by the previous government. In 2023, it was announced Bexhill-on-Sea would be one of the 55 recipients of the Long-Term Plan for Towns scheme, providing it with a sizeable £20 million in endowment funds over 10 years. The initiative aimed to ’empower communities’ to ‘take control of their future’ by making long-term decisions to benefit locals. This includes reviving high streets, tackling anti-social behaviour, improving transport, and growing the local economy.
Right now there are plenty of fairly affordable homes there. Prices in Bexhill-on-Sea hover between £345,000 according to Rightmove, and £354,000 as listed on Zoopla. While this isn’t nothing, it is a fair deal cheaper than you’d find in London or nearby Brighton.
A report from the now-renamed Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has cited a 3% population bump in the town from 2011 to 2021. Those considering the London-to-Bexhill move would be in distinguished company, with past notable residents including television inventor John Logie Baird, culinary icon Fanny Cradock, legendary comedian and writer Spike Milligan, as well as Desmond Llewelyn, famed for his role as Q in the James Bond film series.
The quaint town of Bexhill-on-Sea boasts an impressive musical heritage, with none other than Bob Marley having played his first UK gig at the De La Warr Pavilion back in July 1972. The town is also steeped in motoring history; in 1902, the 8th Earl de la Warr offered up his seafront estate for the UK’s inaugural International Motor Race Meeting, held in partnership with the Automobile Club of Britain and Ireland (which later evolved into the RAC).