One of the best ways to experience East Sussex is by bike. The coastal cycle route takes you all the way from Hastings Contemporary to Towner Gallery and is traffic free from Hastings to Bexhill. Cycling is such a great way of taking the trail but we do advise that the stretch between Bexhill and Eastbourne is only suitable for over 12’s.

The Sussex Coastal Culture Trail Map & Guide is an illustrated map that shows you ways to cycle and walk the trail as well as places of interest. The map is available to buy at all three galleries or you can download a version here. Illustrated by Ben Phillips and produced by Bespoke Cycle Group and Hastings Urban Bikes.

©Summer Moon, Roff Smith 2021
Get Inspired
Award winning photographer and journalist, and local resident, Roff Smith often cycles the length of the Coastal Culture Trail.  Regularly contributing the National Geographic, Roff found his travel assignments being postponed due to the pandemic and his attentions turned to the landscape and coastline where he lives.  Taking a tripod, and talent with him, Roff has captured his early morning bike rides in the most breathtaking manner.  Find out more on his dedicated website The Art of the Ride here.
Thank you to Roff for permitting the use of his photography on the Coastal Culture Trail website.

Bike hire

You can hire bikes in all three towns, Let’s Bike in Eastbourne as well as the newly opened Cadence Cycle Club offering a mix of traditional, and eBikes with hubs across the South Downs, their lateset conveniently situated right in front of Towner gallery. Close to the De La Warr Pavilion is Bexhill Bicycle Hire as well as Bell’s Bicycle in Hasting’s iconic George Street and High Tide Cycle, St. Leonard’s.

The Route

A video has been produced by Robert Price from Bespoke. It shows the journey from Towner Art Gallery to De La Warr Pavilion and Hastings Contemporary. The purpose of the video is to demonstrate what a beautiful trail it is to experience on a bike but also points out some pinch points. A must see if you want to check out the route, you can watch the video on YouTube here.

©Sea Fog Dawn, Roff Smith 2021
Header image: ©Night Rider 8, Roff Smith 2021