Wednesday 26th May: I had no idea there was an old part of Bexhill. I came across it on a map and as I had some free time before heading off into Eastbourne, I decided to take a look. Just a ten minute walk from where I was staying brought me here. Lovely old buildings, a manor house and a church made this the ideal place to spend some time.
The walk up is a tree lined path, and looking back from the hill you can still glimpse the sea. The village is small – a few shops, a tea room/cafe (which I considered, but I’d not long had breakfast!), the church of St Peter’s and the Manor House. The Barn is the only building still standing, and is now a venue for weddings and other events. The ruins of the Manor House still show glimpses of rooms with fireplaces, arches and windows. The gardens are beautiful. There are many places to sit and the peace and quiet settles around you. There is so much history here. There has been a house on this site for 900 years and I can do no better than direct you to the website for the full history. Please do read about the Manor House here.
Having sat and enjoyed the peace and warmth (the sun was out at last), I began to head back, but as I came to the church, a man was putting out a board and I asked if they were open and could I look round. He happily let me have a wander, putting on lights so I could see better. We had a chat, and he gave me one of their parish diaries. The embroidery circle was arriving for their morning get together, and I realised how much I’d missed being able to visit churches and the familiar goings-on of parish life. Since Covid 19, this was just the fourth time I’d set foot in a church.
Leaving the Old Town behind me, I knew I’d have to go back another time. I headed to the sea front and the De La Warr Pavilion. There was a free exhibition which I wandered through and I paid a visit to the shop (never can resist a shop with so many books!). There was also a guy there selling vinyl records, and I was tempted, but I knew I’d have to get them home safely if I bought any, and my suitcase had been pretty full from the start.
It was still a little early to go into Eastbourne. I was due to meet my brother there at 12.30pm. We’d not seen each other since the end of July last year. For a while I sat on the seafront where it became quite hot. Finally, I set off for the station. The journey only takes about fifteen minutes or so, and for a while follows the coast, and you have some great views of the sea. At Eastbourne station I met my brother, and we had lunch together before heading off to the Towner Gallery to view the John Nash Exhibition.
I’m a big fan of John and Paul Nash. Both were war artists, though their directions later were different. This link takes you to a page of the Nash brother’s war art. At the exhibition there was a whole range of John Nash’s art from his war paintings to his illustrations for book covers and books, from his early days to his last days. It was a fascinating exhibition, and featured art from artists he was friends with (Edward Bawden being one) and his brother Paul. There was much information about John Nash’s life, his mother’s mental health, his loves, and his little son who died tragically in an accident.
Here is another link to art works for sale. A lot of these are on view at the exhibition, and it shows the range of John Nash’s art.
After the exhibition we had a walk along the seafront towards the pier before going back to the station. The weather had certainly improved. There had been more sun than cloud this day.
My London+ 