From small rooms above old pubs to the world’s greatest stages, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain have spent four decades delighting audiences with their off-beat humour, impeccable musicianship and irresistible charm.
Formed in 1985 as an antidote to the ego-driven bluster of the music industry, “The Ukes” quickly became unlikely superheroes of the international touring circuit, spreading their irrepressible magic from Australasia to the North Pole, and from Windsor Castle to Carnegie Hall.
Playful, virtuosic and wickedly amusing, these genre-bending rebels have lasted longer than Led Zeppelin and The Beatles combined, and have played more gigs than The Rolling Stones.
Praised by David Bowie and Brian Eno, championed by Blue Peter, admired by King Charles III, celebrated by BBC and raved about by The New York Times, they have built a reputation as one of the most entertaining live acts in the world.
But nothing quite prepares you for seeing them live.
As soon as The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain walk on stage, you know you are in safe hands. Expect an evening of sheer entertainment — laugh-out-loud funny, musically dazzling and full of surprises.
This is an orchestra like no other. Buckle up for a helter-skelter ride through every corner of popular music — from Classical and Pop to Punk, Funk, Disco, Bluegrass and Metal — all played on the humble ukulele.
Nobody does it quite like The Ukes.
“An oversized dose of unexpected hipness” – NY Times
“The best musical entertainment in the country” – The Independent
“The Best of British” – Michael Palin
“Wonderfully clever” – David Bowie
“Virtuosic” – Guitar Magazine
“Among the great entertainers” – Evening Standard
“May well turn out to be one of the turning points of 21st Century Art” – Brian Eno
“Perfectly polished professionalism, threaded through with dry wit and wry humour” – Independent
EVENT INFORMATION
Building Opens: 6.15pm
Show Start: 7.30pm
This show is suitable for all ages, under 14s should be accompanied by an adult aged 18+.
We strongly recommend ticket buyers to take out Ticket Protection insurance with Secure My Booking available when you book your tickets at check out.
SEATING INFORMATION: If you are coming to a seated event, you will notice that we have temporary seats in the stalls. This is because we have started early preparatory works on the auditorium as part of our bigger building project. Major works are still some time off, and you will see that our programme runs well into 2026, but please sign up to our mailing list or follow us on socials to be kept updated on the next stages of the project
In accordance with Government legislation we display the total ticket cost at the top of each event webpage, these are inclusive of any mandatory additional fees such as restoration levies or booking fees.
Please note that Booking Fees apply on the following transactions:
Online: Tickets booked online are subject to booking fees when purchased through our website. E-tickets are emailed instantly on the account you have registered with DLWP, please check your Junk folder if they don’t arrive within 30 minutes. Customers can also download their tickets through our website within ‘My Account’.
Telephone: £3.50 per transaction + £2 postage or free collection at the Box Office.
In Person: There are currently no charges for booking tickets in person.
There is a £2 charge to post tickets.
We strongly recommend ticket buyers to take out Ticket Protection insurance with Secure My Booking available when you book your tickets at check out.
Please note that we are only able to post tickets within the UK. If you live overseas please select box office collection or print at home tickets. Tickets purchased for post will be sent 10 – 14 days before the show date.
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
Book online: Pre-show dining can be booked online as an add-on when purchasing tickets for selected events. You will be purchasing a ticket to guarantee your meal before the show.
Please note you must be a ticket holder to the show to book pre-show dining.
Already booked your tickets? If you’ve already booked tickets for a show and would like to add dining, please contact Box Office: boxoffice@dlwp.com
On the night: If you have pre-booked please come to the bar to order from the gig menu and sit at one of the reserved tables.
Please be aware that we operate no re-entry for gigs. This means that once you have entered the building, you cannot go out and re-enter. This policy is in line with other major music venues across the UK and put in place on police advice. No re-entry is clearly signposted as you come through security on the front door.
There is a fenced-off area on the terrace for people who go out to smoke or vape.
There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following:
The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel and Spa
Situated on a private beach with uninterrupted views of the English Channel, this immaculately restored four-star hotel is just a 10-minute drive from De La Warr Pavilion. Receive 10% discount on rooms* from Sunday to Thursday (excluding Fridays and Saturdays) using the promo code DLWP. BOOK NOW.
*Offer available until 31 March 2026 (blackout dates apply). Free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. Paid partnership with The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel & Spa.
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 10pm. After this time parking is free.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
If you have specific access needs for a daytime visit or for a bookable event, please email customerservice@dlwp.com or call 01424 229111
Current facilities are:
- Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building (not in the carpeted area of the Café Bar)
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events – please note that currently our balcony seating is not accessible for wheelchairs/walkers.
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.
A limited number of assistance tickets are available for each live event. Please email customerservice@dlwp.com or call the box office on 01424 229111 to book.