| Completed in 1935 to a design created by architects | | | | The pavilion has a range of spaces available for a |
| Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, the De La | | | | wide variety of events for small and large groups. |
| Warr Pavilion is a rare example of an early Modernist | | | | The De La Warr provides an uplifting and unusual |
| landmark in Britain. That such a landmark should have | | | | experience for wedding ceremonies in the auditorium |
| been constructed on the site of a former coastguard | | | | through to grand wedding receptions on the roof |
| station in a small seaside town in Sussex owes | | | | terrace (with views of the sea and Beachy Head), to |
| almost everything to the man who gave the building | | | | cabaret wedding breakfasts. |
| his name. It was Earl ‘Buck’ de la Warr, the | | | | Auditorium: The auditorium has recently been licensed |
| aristocratic socialist mayor of Bexhill on Sea who | | | | for weddings – the De La Warr is now offering |
| persuaded the local council to fund a competition to | | | | an attractive wedding package - and is both large |
| build a new entertainments pavilion in the seaside | | | | and versatile, French windows allowing access onto |
| town in 1933. The competition was won by German | | | | the seafront lawns for photographs and |
| architectural pioneer Erich Mendelsohn and his | | | | refreshments. The auditorium makes a striking and |
| Chechen partner Serge Chermayeff. | | | | generous space and the stage accommodates even |
| The innovative welded steel-framed building which | | | | the most ambitious stage set. Capacity: 1,000 lecture |
| then housed conference halls, functions rooms, a | | | | theatre style; 300, cabaret style. 6 dressing rooms, |
| library and a terrace restaurant, quickly established | | | | accommodating approximately 40. |
| itself as a seminal building for forward thinking | | | | Auditorium Foyer: As well as acting as a reception |
| architects of the period, inspiring buildings including the | | | | and refreshment area for the auditorium, the foyer is |
| Peter Jones department store in Chelsea. The pavilion | | | | a useful and adaptable space in its own right for |
| – and the programme of entertainments and | | | | wedding receptions. Capacity: 50 (lecture style) 70 |
| theatre - proved a success with the public too. After | | | | for receptions. |
| the war, when its military occupants included a young | | | | Pavilion Restaurant: The restaurant is on the first |
| Spike Milligan, the De la Warr Pavilion enjoyed a | | | | floor and features open air balconies with fine sea |
| golden period as a summer seaside entertainment | | | | views and excellent food and wine with a strong |
| venue and repertory theatre. | | | | emphasis on local produce. The Restaurant, Café |
| By the 1960s, however, thanks to the boom in | | | | Bar and Sun Parlour are all available for booking for |
| overseas holidays and unsympathetic attempts at | | | | receptions and parties. Capacity: Flexible but approx |
| modification, the pavilion was already in serious | | | | 250 for canape receptions, 150 for buffets, 100 for |
| decline. When the Rep theatre closed in 1975, the | | | | sit-down dinner and 80 for lunch/dinner during opening |
| future looked bleak and by the early 1990s the De | | | | hours |
| La Warr was looking shabby and neglected. | | | | Roof Terrace: With its superb seaside panorama with |
| The building survived its dark days thanks to the | | | | great view of Beachy Head to the west, the roof |
| preservation efforts of a series of local activists and | | | | terrace makes a unique space to hold wedding |
| fans including dedicated Modernist and Arts Council | | | | receptions and performances. Marquees can be |
| chairman, Peter Palumbo. In 1998, a major Lottery | | | | erected here. Hire also provides use of the Rooftop |
| funded grant was agreed to restore the De La Warr | | | | foyer. NB this space is open to the weather and is |
| Pavilion as a major exhibition and arts centre. The | | | | only suitable for children under supervision. Capacity: |
| decision has been vindicated since the building | | | | 250 people standing |
| re-opened in its new guise in October 2005. Under | | | | Roof Terrace Foyer: Provides similarly superb views |
| the directorship of Alan Haydon, the reborn De La | | | | to the roof terrace but under cover. The foyer |
| Warr Pavilion’s adventurous programme of | | | | opens onto the De La Warr’s great focal point, |
| music, art, comedy has won consistently good critical | | | | the south staircase. It is ideal for small wedding |
| notices – recent highlights include art shows by | | | | receptions. Capacity: 60 for a reception |
| Nathan Coley and Jeremy Deller, the annual | | | | Catering: The De La Warr is proud of its fine quality |
| ‘Mid-century Modern’ furniture show, music | | | | food that puts the emphasis on locally sourced, fresh |
| from Marc Almond and Goldfrapp and comedy by | | | | food. A typical lunch menu might include Wickham |
| Lee Evans and Harry Hill. The public meanwhile has | | | | Manor Farm pork sausages with caramelised onion |
| voted with its feet, with annual numbers consistently | | | | gravy or Rigatoni pasta, seasonal mushrooms, baby |
| exceeding a remarkable 600,000 visitors. | | | | spinach with garlic cream sauce followed by warm |
| Spaces for Hire | | | | chocolate cake with caramelised hazelnut cream. |