If you think Sussex is all about historic Medieval villages and buildings, you’d be right. And you’d be wrong. Because dotted along the coast are a number of stunning Art Deco Sussex buildings. Some of them are original, some of them slightly less so, but catch them on a sunny day, when shimmering white curves meet a blue sky, and they’ll take you to a time of bobbed hair, bias cuts, Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli and silhouette hugging silk dresses.
Goodwood Aerodrome, near Chichester
This building’s Art Deco frontage is the replica of the Earls Court Motor Show exhibition area where the 1950s motor show was held, promising to display ‘cars of the future’ inside. It was unveiled at the 2008 Goodwood Revival.
Selsey Pavilion, Selsey
Selsey Pavilion is a theatre hall that’s graced Selsey’s High Street since 1913. After years of careful planning and considerable fundraising, this Art Deco style building has recently been acquired by the Selsey Pavilion Trust – 50 years after its closure. Their plan is to bring it back to life as a cultural centre of live entertainment and cinema.
Three Decks, near Bognor Regis
Just outside Bognor Regis is Three Decks which was built in the 1930s. The story goes it was built for a sea captain. Now privately owned, it has three floors, and from the beach, it resembles a small ocean liner.
East Preston, near Littlehampton
Tucked away in the backstreets of East Preston, Manor Road Garage was built in approximately 1919 but extended in the 1930s. It still has four decommissioned forecourt petrol pumps which date from the late 1940s or early 1950s. It operated as a garage until 1973 but was then left derelict and abandoned until 2011/12 when it was converted into stylish apartments.
Pavilion Theatre, Worthing
Built in 1926, the Pavilion Theatre is a central landmark in the town with pride of place at the entrance to the pier. The original pier in Worthing was destroyed by fire but was rebuilt in 1935, in distinct Art Deco style that reflects the theatre.
Connaught Theatre, Worthing
Originally built in 1916, the Connaught was refurbished in 1935. Upstairs in the café there are still some interesting Art Deco lights and finishing touches.
Shoreham Airport, Shoreham
Officially called Brighton City Airport, the Shoreham terminal was built in 1936 and has a wonderful Art Deco interior and café. Well worth a coffee while you watch the fleet of small aircraft coming and going.
The Seahorse, Brighton
Formerly known as the Brighton Beach Club and before that as the Milkmaid Pavilion, the building on the seafront now known as The Seahorse wasn’t actually built until the 1950s. It was built as part of the Festival of Britain and an Art Deco style restaurant was added in 2000.
Saltdean Lido, Saltdean
Saltdean Lido makes quite an impression as you drive along the A259. It’s often described as one of the best surviving examples of lido design in the UK and in 2018, it was named by English Heritage as one of the Seven Wonders of The English Seaside. Designed by architect RWH Jones and opened in 1938, it was saved from demolition in 2010/11 by a local community campaign and is now re-open. Restoration work is ongoing.
Eastbourne Bandstand, Eastbourne
The Eastbourne bandstand was bult in 1935 and remains a distinctive and stylish feature on the seafront where it is home to lots of live music events.
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea
Built in 1935 and a central point in Bexhill, this contemporary art centre suffered bomb damage in 1940 and although it carried on hosting a programme of events, the building gradually fell into disrepair. It was granted listed status in 1985 and 1989 saw the formation of the Pavilion Trust, a group dedicated to protecting and restoring the building.
Marine Court, St Leonards on Sea
Built between 1936 and 1938 in the border of St Leonards and Hastings, this stunning seafront building was designed to look like an ocean liner. It is 14 stories high and at the time of opening, it was the tallest residential building in Britain.
If you have enjoyed this post about Art Deco Sussex, you may also like:
