Two of Britain's best beach hut from Bexhill

Two huts in Bexhill have been named in a shortlist to crown Britain's beach hut of the year.
No. 14 at Bexhill beach is owned by Lisa Hammond. Photo courtesy of Towergate InsuranceNo. 14 at Bexhill beach is owned by Lisa Hammond. Photo courtesy of Towergate Insurance
No. 14 at Bexhill beach is owned by Lisa Hammond. Photo courtesy of Towergate Insurance

No. 14 on Bexhill beach and Buggleskelly at Glyne Gap were chosen out of hundreds to make the final 10 for Towergate Insurance’s annual competition.

The two seafront hideaways are vying for the £1,000 prize against beach huts in Brighton, Essex, Bournemouth, Hampshire and Thanet but the public will decide the winner.

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Lisa Hammond bought No. 14 for her late mother Sally who had long yearned for a beach hut, but died when a plot became available after a nine-year-long waiting list.

Buggleskelly beach hut at Glyne Gap is owned by Chris Dewey and is inspired by the train station in his favourite film. Photo courtesy of Towergate InsuranceBuggleskelly beach hut at Glyne Gap is owned by Chris Dewey and is inspired by the train station in his favourite film. Photo courtesy of Towergate Insurance
Buggleskelly beach hut at Glyne Gap is owned by Chris Dewey and is inspired by the train station in his favourite film. Photo courtesy of Towergate Insurance

The family came together and accepted the offer – creating a holiday haven with an open-door policy.

Colourfully decorated with a traditional seaside feel, No. 14 has also hosted Macmillan coffee mornings for two years, raising more than £800 for the cancer support charity in tribute to its ‘fantastic’ support for Sally.

Buggleskelly is owned by train driver Chris Dewey who used his job as inspiration for his beach hut as it is decorated in the style of a Southern Region train station or signal box.

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The name is inspired by his favourite film – the classic 1937 Will Hay comedy Oh, Mr Porter! in which Buggleskelly is the name of a station – and features train memorabilia.

No. 14's interior. Photo courtesy of Towergate InsuranceNo. 14's interior. Photo courtesy of Towergate Insurance
No. 14's interior. Photo courtesy of Towergate Insurance

Although new to the beach hut scene, the Deweys enjoy meeting their beach neighbours and have made an instant impact with their uniquely decorated hut.

Towergate’s Emma Watson said the East Sussex entries stood out.

This year’s competition is being judged by Location, Location, Location presenter Phil Spencer, who will present the winning beach hut with the £1,000, plus a commemorative plaque, free insurance and £500 for their beach association.

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“The winning beach hut doesn’t have to necessarily be the most fancy – if it feels genuine inside and out and reflects the simple pleasures of life then you’re on to a winner,” Phil said.

“The standard of entries is superb and the race for the top spot will be tight”.

Voting closes for the competition at 3pm on July 12 with the winner set to be announced on August 19.

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