Things to Do in Brighton & Hove — The Local Guide
From the Palace Pier and North Laine to the Royal Pavilion and Hove seafront — your complete guide to making the most of Britain's most vibrant seaside city.
Brighton & Hove is one of the most visited cities in England — and with good reason. A historic seafront, two iconic piers, a bohemian shopping quarter, world-class restaurants, and a city-wide festival calendar make it a destination unlike anywhere else in the country. Here is the local guide.
Brighton Beach and the Palace Pier
The starting point for almost everyone is Brighton Beach — a sweep of smooth pebbles running the length of the seafront. The beach is free, open all year, and best in summer (though bracing in winter). Swimming is popular and generally safe; the water is cleaner than most UK coastal cities.
The Palace Pier is the centrepiece. Built in 1899, it stretches 1,722 feet into the Channel and hosts an amusement arcade, fairground rides, and a chippy at the end. It is free to walk onto (rides cost extra) and draws millions of visitors a year. At sunset on a clear evening it is genuinely spectacular.
North Laine
Walk north from the station and you are immediately in North Laine — Brighton's bohemian quarter. Sydney Street, Kensington Gardens, Gardner Street, and Bond Street are crammed with independent shops: vinyl records, vintage clothing, ceramics, second-hand books, head shops, and specialist food. There is almost no chain retail in the core of North Laine, and it is one of the most successful examples of independent shopping culture in England.
The Komedia on Gardner Street is one of the best small-capacity comedy and entertainment venues in the UK. There is a Saturday market on Upper Gardner Street and a dense cluster of vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
The Lanes
South-west of North Laine, The Lanes are the oldest part of Brighton — narrow alleyways that follow the street plan of the original fishing village. The area specialises in jewellery: independent jewellers and antique dealers fill the small shopfronts along Meeting House Lane and Brighton Square. English's of Brighton (established 1945) is here too — the city's oldest restaurant, serving seafood in a low-beamed dining room.
Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion is one of the most extraordinary buildings in England — a Regency palace built for the Prince of Wales (later George IV) in an extravagant Mughal and Chinese style. The exterior, with its bulbous domes and minarets, looks more like Jaipur than the Sussex coast. The interior is lavish beyond description. Entry costs around £20; the gardens are free.
Kemp Town
East of the Palace Pier is Kemp Town — Brighton's LGBTQ+ community hub and one of its most characterful neighbourhoods. St James's Street is lined with independent cafes, vintage shops, and LGBTQ+ bars. The Regency terraces of Lewes Crescent and Sussex Square are among the finest in England. Brighton Pride — one of the largest Pride events in the UK — departs from here in August.
Hove and the Western Seafront
Walk west from the Palace Pier and the city gradually calms. The Hove Lawns — broad grass verges between the esplanade and the beach — are used for outdoor events, yoga, and picnics. Church Road and George Street in central Hove have an excellent restaurant scene. The Brunswick Estate is a Grade I listed Regency development worth exploring.
Practical Notes
Brighton station has direct trains to London Victoria (50 min), Gatwick (30 min), and across the south coast. Bus services cover the city comprehensively. Parking is expensive and difficult — the city is best explored on foot or by bike.