The East Sussex coastal resort of Bexhill-on-Sea was the first English town to allow co-ed swimming. In 1066, William the Conqueror landed at Pevensey, seven miles west of Bexhill, and won the English crown at Hastings seven miles to its north. Bexhill also boasts the De La Warr Pavilion of contemporary art. Seawind-buffeted Cooden Beach and parklands Highwoods, where a stream factors into play, are two visitor-friendly Bexhill golf courses. Highwoods requires valid handicap certificates.
The Northern Hotel
Eight minutes from both golf clubs, the Northern Hotel is situated in six 19th-century seaside townhouses originally built to accommodate vacationing Army officers. Each of its 40 non-smoking rooms has a bath or shower, television and direct-dial phone with Internet connection capability. The hotel welcomes children to share their parents' room at no charge.
The ground floor has Wi-Fi and a guest computer. Two on-site restaurants, the Garden Room and the Richmond Room, serve lunches and prix fixe three-course dinners. A typical Sunday lunch entree is roasted sage and onion Sussex turkey served with a bacon roll, potatoes and fresh vegetables or salad. The Wellington Lounge Bar serves morning coffee, afternoon tea, and lighter lunches and dinners.
The Northern Hotel
Sea Road
Bexhill-on-Sea
Sussex TN40 1JN
United Kingdom
011 (+44) 014 2421 2836
northernhotel.co.uk
Cooden Beach
On the beach next door to the Cooden Beach Golf Club, the Cooden Beach Hotel has arranged a golf package at the course with a day of golfing, overnight accommodations and breakfast. Guests can wander along the hotel's beachfront or enjoy the ocean views from its two acres of meticulously maintained hotel gardens.
Most of the 41 guest rooms have sea views and king-size beds with memory foam mattresses. All have baths or showers, satellite television and direct-dial phones. The on-site Leisure Club has a heated swimming pool with steam room and sauna, and a fitness center with cardio machines and free weights. Room prices include continental or full English breakfast served overlooking the sea in the hotel's Oceana Restaurant.
The Oceana also serves formal lunches and dinners featuring classic English cuisine. The Cooden Tavern serves traditional bar food, daily specials and afternoon tea. In warm weather guests can dine al fresco on the Club Terrace. Saturday night is curry night, with vegetarian options always available.
The Cooden Beach Hotel
Bexhill-on-Sea
E. Sussex TN39 4TT
United Kingdom
011 (+44) 014 2484 2281
thecoodenbeachhotel.co.uk
Arden House Bed and Breakfast
A four-star Visit Britain establishment in central Bexhill, the Arden House Bed and Breakfast is less than three miles from either golf club. The hotel welcomes children older than 10; special arrangements may allow younger ones.
The hotel's double room has an en suite shower. The twin room with a private bath across the landing (robes provided) also serves as a family room. It has garden views with the sea faintly visible on the horizon. Each antiques-furnished room has free Wi-Fi, a television with VCR and a good selection of videos and books.
Breakfast, including locally sourced eggs, bacon and sausages, is served in the conservatory with lovely garden views. Guests may smoke in the garden during the day.
Arden House B & B
28 Manor Road
Bexhill-on-Sea
East Sussex TN40 1SP
United Kingdom
011 (+44) 014 2422 5068
ardenhousebexhill.co.uk
About The Author
Judy Wolfe has owned her own freelance writing business since 2006. She is a professional florist, holds a certificate in advanced floral design and had her Valentine's Day floral design published in "Super Floral Retailing." She is a travel writer for Chincoteague Island Vacations, MyGermanCity and Berlin Dude. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature from California State Polytechnic Univeristy in Pomona.
