Bexhill Pub Trail
CAMRA's Members' Weekend, AGM & Conference, was held in Eastbourne during April 2022 - these pages were produced for visiting members
Five real ale venues are featured, all within easy walking distance of the station.
With four trains an hour from Eastbourne it's not difficult to reach Bexhill-on-Sea, with journey times from 13 minutes. Alternatively Stagecoach's 99 bus takes 45 minutes. Bus details are at the bottom of the page.
Eastbourne Station departures
Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2022
A 1.3 mile circuit
When leaving Bexhill station turn right immediately out of the doors then right again into Endwell Road, passing the bus stops. Walk down the road with the railway on your right. At the end, stay on the path around Devonshire Square. Turn right into Western Road.
① The Picture Playhouse sticks out from the rest of the buildings. It’s just over half way down on the right (TN40 1DY, 5-6 mins walk from the station) Ⓕ
The Picture Playhouse, as the name suggests, is two former cinemas which Wetherspoons purchased, spent £3 million on and opened in 2017. There's much to look at inside; on the roof you’ll find a garden. Serves the usual JDW offerings but with a better selection of ales than the average 'Spoons: often seven guests plus the regular Greene King nationals, at cheap Wetherspoons prices too.
Leave the Picture Playhouse turning right to walk down Western Road to the traffic lights, turn left onto Sackville Road.
② The Sportsman is on the left just after the Church and Parkhurst Road (TN39 3JD, 2-3 mins)
The Sportsman is a traditional local with plenty of seating, three real ales and a garden at the rear.
Leave the Sportsman, turning left and walk to the roundabout. Turn right into Egerton Road.
③ Traffers Bar is on the left on the junction with Park Road. (TN39 3HJ, 4 mins) Ⓕ
Traffers Bar is the bar area of a hotel which offers meals at lunchtimes and in the evening. Offering three real ales, usually local, there's plenty of seating and a few outside tables at the front.
Leave Traffers Bar, turn right and walk back to the roundabout and head straight over in front of the De La Warr Pavilion along Marina.
④ The Albatross Club is on the right at the end of the De La Warr Pavilion car park, just down Channel View West (TN40 1JS, 5 mins) Ⓒ
The Royal Air Forces Association's Albatross Club is a frequent CAMRA award-winner, both locally and nationally. With five real ales, often locally sourced and three real ciders, this is a must for all members. The Club has been extensively refurbished in recent years and offers meals some lunchtimes. CAMRA visitors are welcome. There's a nominal entry fee, but it's worth it for the club-priced quality beer.
When leaving the Albatross Club, turn right and walk along the path to the steps. After climbing these steps turn left onto Channel View East, then right back onto Marina. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and turn right before turning left into Sea Road.
⑤ The Brickmaker’s Alehouse is on the right just after St Barnabas Church and Cantelupe Road (TN40 1EE, 5 mins) Ⓒ
Branch Pub-of-the-Year 2022 and Bexhill’s first micropub, opened by two CAMRA members in November 2019. The chilled cabinet houses five real ale casks and three or more real ciders. With plenty of seating this addition to Bexhill’s establishments has been most welcome. Can be very busy.
Leaving Brickmaker’s Alehouse turn right and walk up Sea Road to Bexhill railway station which is on the left.
Buses to and from Eastbourne:
Stagecoast bus 99 from Eastbourne arrives in Sackville Road after turning right at a set of traffic lights: so walk back to Western Road on the right and the Picture Playhouse ① is a little way up on the left.
If you finish at the Brickmaker’s Alehouse ⑤ you'll find a return bus stop opposite Bexhill station. Best get the 99 Bus for both journeys though, as although the 98 also connects Eastbourne and Bexhill, it runs inland via Hailsham and Ninfield.
Ⓕ - Food served Ⓒ - Real Cider
South East Sussex area town pub trails
Sussex branches very much appreciate local and visiting members rating the beers and real ciders they sample. Scores can be recorded on the Good Beer Guide app, WhatPub or Pubzilla. CAMRA's beer-scoring system helps us select pubs for the Good Beer Guide and other awards