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Seaside resort on the south coast of England
Photo: Luiza Serpa Lopes, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Brighton is a seaside resort in East Sussex, south-eastern coast of England, 76 km south of London. In 1997, the district of Brighton merged with Hove to form the City of Brighton and Hove which was given city status in 2001.
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Palace Pier
Massively tacky and sickly sweet it may be, no visit to Brighton is complete without a walk along its 525-metre-long pier. Admire the views — both out to sea and back to the waterfront — have a whirl on the rides, or take on the nostalgic arcade attractions. There are plenty of food stands serving typical seaside treats, plus a sit-down restaurant, a cocktail bar, and a pizzeria. In the summer, there's a large screen showing live sports and films. Winter visitors may see a famous murmuration of starlings: mesmerising clouds of birds flying together before roosting under the pier for the night.
In the summer, the pebble beach is covered in tourists and Brightonians. Poi twirlers strike a beautiful image against the sunsets, and flaming lanterns are launched into the air on summer evenings. To the east of Brighton there is a designated nudist beach. The pebble beach gives way to a flat sandy seabed just below mid tide line so time your swimming to the low tide and avoid the painful feet. Just beyond the Marina is an area for surfers. Fishermen cast their rods from the Marina or by the giant doughnut. For £16, you can fly the short zipline over the beach (2017). There is also the wreck of West Pier which was derelict for some time before burning down. The whole area is great for taking photographs.
An interesting architectural attraction, transformed between 1815 and 1823 by the architect John Nash, at the direction of the then Prince Regent (later King George IV), into a sumptuous pleasure palace by the sea. The exterior has an Indian theme, whilst the interior was decorated with Chinese decor. Guided tours available and well worthwhile. Accessibility: two floors; only the ground floor is wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets.
An interesting museum and history, culture and art to do with Brighton and beyond. An excellent permanent collection and brilliant exhibitions from international artists. All areas of the Museum are accessible for wheelchair users.
A little, unknown museum hiding under the viaduct of Brighton Station, specialising in toys from the first half of the 20th century.
Major comedy club.
The centrepiece of Brighton's 'floral gateway', this features a rotating selection of flowerbeds, a fountain, and cafe. During the Brighton Fringe Festival (in May) there is often a large outdoor exhibition where performances take place.
A historic house, decorated and furnished in Edwardian style. Its elegant reception rooms and functional servants’ quarters reveal the ‘upstairs and downstairs’ of life at the manor. Free parking onsite: enter the drive from Preston Drove.
One of Britain's most famous and expensive girls' schools, the huge stone building looks out across the Channel. Often considered to be the "Eton for girls".
An aquarium with walk-through underwater tunnel, adjacent to Brighton Pier. This is the oldest working aquarium in the world. Accessibility: go from the promenade onto the seafront to access the ramp that leads to the beach. You will then see an underpass for Sea Life. Parking is limited and can be expensive.
A modern redevelopment towards the south of Brighton's North Laine which includes the magnificent Jubilee Library, upmarket restaurants, and café culture.
One of Europe's tallest churches (from floor to ceiling). Towering over Brighton, this extraordinary church is not exactly the prettiest church in the world, however its gigantic structure and incredible decoration makes this church a must-see attraction. A real gem in Brighton's history which needs tourism and donations as it has threatened with closure.
This famous 1930s art deco building was nearly demolished in the early 2000s, but has since been fully restored to its modernist reality. There are artists studios underneath. Tours of the building take place during the Festival.
The Brighton Fishing Museum showcases the history and heritage of Brighton’s fishing industry through a wealth of photographs, remarkable artefacts and restored traditional Sussex clinker fishing boats.
From the fully enclosed viewing pod, visitors experience 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs, the English Channel and on the clearest days it is possible to see Beachy Head 17 miles (27 km) to the east and the Isle of Wight 49 miles (79 km) to the west.
Contemporary art gallery that specialises in new commissioned site specific work. As an artist led space this is a unique venue in the southeast that shows important new works by international artists. Fabrica is not a selling gallery but a place that offers access to exciting large scale work and media installations.
Art gallery. The gallery often has exhibitions of students work as well as a wealth of international artists.
Another contemporary art gallery. Like Fabrica it has no permanent collection and is purely artist-led.
Another art gallery housing works from artists from all over the world.
Brighton is a great place to see a theatre show or a gig. There are many many theatres and venues in and around Brighton.
"The Seagulls" play football in the Premier League, England's top tier, with their home ground at Falmer or Amex Stadium, capacity 30,750. Their women's team play in the Women's Super League, with home games at Broadfield Stadium in Crawley, shared with Crawley Town. In 2025 Falmer Stadium hosted games in the Women's Rugby Union World Cup.
Sussex CCC were promoted in 2024 and now play in Division Two of the County Championship. Its limited-overs team is the Sussex Sharks.
The Duke of York's Cinema is Brighton's art house cinema, and the oldest continually operating cinema in Europe. Opened in 1910, it still has a single screen, which shows a mix of art house and more mainstream films, with a Kid's Club on Saturday mornings. The building is recognisable by the giant fibreglass legs on the roof. The bar on the first floor is a good place for a drink before the film, with a balcony that has good views of the street below. The (screening-room) balcony at first floor level has two-seat sofas, the ground floor regular cinema seats.
The oldest surviving electric railway in the world, opening in 1883. The stations are all accessible by wheelchair. Wheelchairs must be folded to fit on the trains. Runs a 12-min trip from the to
No seaside town is complete without them. On the seafront, about 100 m west of the pier, are a clutch of stands offering snacks of cockles and mussels, crab sandwiches, fish soup and oysters, all for a few pounds. Daytime only.
Has locations including Brighton and Hove.
North Street, is another buffet restaurant, with a variety of vegetarian dishes and some carnivorous options.
Something of a local legend, renowned for their many sauces and toppings.
A delightful, small, genuine Japanese cafe, selling a wide range of delicious dishes for a very reasonable price. (If you are eating alone or if there is space at your table, often other diners will be seated with you, which can make some people feel uncomfortable.) Take-away available.
Burgers. Family-run with a Five-Star Health inspectorate Rating, well worth a visit
Good value fish and seafood restaurant that won't break the bank.
Pub, near the train station, serves only the finest vegetarian meals and snacks. Wi-Fi available.
Not a flop-house for dilapidated sailors, but Hanoi street food Brighton style - mix and match from various vendors. Opened in 2021, it's on the prom at the foot of West St and open M-Sa 8AM-midnight, Su 8AM-10PM.
consistently highly rated and reviewed, the café at Bills specialises in organic munchies of the best type.
Indonesian-Malaysian Restaurant in Hove
Bali Brasserie is one of the finest Brighton restaurants renowned for delicious Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines.
Possibly the best Chinese restaurant in town.
Great vegan, vegetarian and carnivorous food
Famous for its food, and chef "Spats" (no child licence.).
Large, child-friendly pub next to London Road train station. Good food and drink.
Fine fish and chip restaurants serving delicious fish and chips and some really excellent specials (roys shark steaks are amazing). The family run restaurant has fantastic reviews. It is very popular with locals.
Great Indian vegetarian restaurant that serves an authentic menu within a friendly atmosphere (barefoot waiter included!)
An unusual conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, in the glass-sided "opticon" in Bartholomew Square.
Good-value Thai restaurant noted for their lunchtime tapas.
A high-concept Indian restaurant in Jubilee Square.
Well-respected vegetarian restaurant, with a lively crowd and bright décor - voted 2nd best British restaurant in the Observer Food Monthly 2004. Dogs are allowed in the front section of the restaurant.
Seafood restaurant. Decor and clientele tend towards the old-school.
fine-dining restaurant (Norfolk Sq.) garnered numerous accolades and spawned three sister operations.
Great reviews for this upscale seafood restaurant on the beach front. They have another branch on Meeting House Lane.
If you enjoy real ales this is a must. They have a wide selection of tap ales, ciders and bottled Headbangers too. Best of all, it's really cheap!
Offers a wide range of US bourbons and rye whiskeys.
Boisterous indie kids' pub, with a selection of local ales and a mural of its patron saint, John Peel.
The "Nellie" is a thoroughly traditional, multi-roomed pub serving a range of ales from the 200-year-old brewery in nearby Lewes.
Great traditional backstreet pub on a side street in the North Laine area. Excellent choice of English ales and excellent good value food. Often busy so arrive early to bag a seat.
directly opposite is also excellent.
This traditional pub, is an indie kids' favourite, famed for its jukebox
a wine bar and merchant
Brighton's oldest pub, with a plush Victorian interior. Pricey.
An excellent but very pricey operation.
Old-fashioned green-tiled pub with fine ales and gigs upstairs.
A cheap pub. Expect to see just about any type of person in here from Indie Kids and Goths to Old Men and Chavs who somehow all manage to co-exist harmoniously. There is also a nightclub above the pub.
A faux traditional old pub that never loses its popularity! The decor is in a fake-medieval style, but the place is fun if you like a studenty atmosphere. Especially popular with students from the language school called St.Giles close to the pub always hang out here. It is a meeting point for them. As the name of the pub shows, there are portraits of former English kings and queens. The pub has a high ceiling and the space is large. Various forms of entertainment which include karaoke, televised sport and occasional live music.
The most interesting beachside pub, designed to look like a galleon. Can heave as well!
Historic, precipitously multi-level pub by the Clocktower, with good beer and live performances.
Very welcoming if pricey pub, attracting a quiet, mixed clientelle. It is renowned for its kitsch decor, which becomes extra fabulous during Christmas and Valentine's Day.
Hove. This self-described "jazz dive" serves a selection of potent and pricey world beers in faux-oriental ambience resembling one of Amsterdam's more smokily atmospheric venues.
Cosy, friendly pub with a small but well chosen selection of ales.
Large pub with cluttered, Victorian junk shop interior. There are screens for watching sport, but it is also possible to get away from it.
Irish pub with live music, good decor and fairly expensive drinks. Somehow infamous, nobody knows why. Best visited at the end of the night when it's filled with locals all similarly confused as to how and why they're there.
Large pub in a shopping area, serving a good selection of Sussex ales and world beers. Somewhat pricey.
A gastropub emphasising local and organic ingredients.
Poet's Corner
Hove's best Harvey's pub. Regular live music is offered, and the pub is home to a Folk club.
Small but ebullient micropub in a converted shop unit not far from Hove station. Specialises in good value real ales and ciders.
A modern and funky bar, offering a relaxing atmosphere during the day, before turning in to a pre-club bar at night. They offer regular cabaret nights and a weekly quiz night.
Perhaps the best of a good selection of pubs in Kemptown village, with Sussex ales and fresh cooked food.
Eclectic and interesting surroundings, very impressive beer and cider list, live music and performance arts in an intimate space.
LGBT-orientatated bar. Half-price drinks (excluding sparkling wine and cocktails) M-F 5-9PM, Su 8:30PM-close. Small dance floor. Get there early to get a table. Outside smoking garden, sheltered but no heaters.
Everything is quirky about this little pub from the eccentric regulars to the collection of Edwardian erotica on the ceiling. Live music on Sundays if you can squeeze in.
Laid-back pub offering over 70 rums, decent real ales, Thai food and an atmosphere all its own.
Cosy pub, live music some nights. Great beer garden with lots of tables and about ten heated booths; fantastic smokers' pub.
Traditional Harvey's pub with quietly dotty regulars.
Strenuously eccentric pub (the landlord sports a fez) with cheap beer and Thai food, where the Open Market backs onto the Level
Gastropub with a good line in ales.
Lost+Found
The largest live performance venue in town, although far from the best loved as a building. The programme is mainstream.
A multi-room venue with a wide variety of comedy and music.
A medium-sized venue with a busy schedule of live music, a stone's throw from the pier.
Scruffy, studenty club offering Jazz, Funk Latin and Disco from DJs and live acts.
Small nightclub offering "underground" music — appropriately, it is built into a seafront archway.
Club and live music venue.
A medium-sized live venue with a varied, generally trendy, bill of fare.
A special-purpose Jazz venue and supper club.
Hove is a large pub venue hosting several performances a week of comedy, jazz, funk, soul and cabaret. Ticket prices are generally not much more than £5.
One of Brighton's oldest pubs, and an Indie venue (music upstairs) instantly recognisable from its outside mural of the late John Peel, and invaluable early Banksy graffito.
A tiny pub venue which only hosts live music occasionally, but is nonetheless worth keeping an eye on because the (mostly acoustic) acts are so well chosen. Advance booking highly advisable. Also respected for its food and drink.
Right in the city centre, approximately 250 m from Brighton Pier. Double Rooms from £46.25pppn.
Close to Old Stein, Kipps is a pleasant place to stay with a variety of room sizes (10 share mixed dorm to private rooms). The staff are very helpful and welcoming.
This Grade II listed hotel is on the seafront directly opposite the Brighton Bandstand.
It's right on the seafront, with no other buildings between it and the beach, and so half of its 24 rooms have a great view of the sea. Each room is decorated in a different style: Japanese, Art Deco, Wedgwood and lace, etc. Some of the rooms have built-in Jacuzzis in the en-suite baths. Well-executed breakfasts, including a vegetarian (and optionally vegan) version of a full English breakfast. Seaview rooms start from £108 (price for two people including breakfast); other rooms are £88. All rooms are non-smoking.
This grand Victorian beachfront hotel was built back in 1864 and has all the period features. Next to Brighton Pier. Internet access in all rooms. Double rooms from £100 per night.
New Steine Hotel is right in the heart of Brighton city centre, a few hundred metres from the Pier. The restaurant, the New Steine Bistro has been awarded the AA Breakfast and Dinner Award for outstanding quality and service. Double rooms from £95 per night.
Modern graffiti art decorates this characterful small hotel. Good scores for comfort and service.
Bright clean B&B in a Regency house on Kemp Town prom. No children under 12 or dogs.
Smart, Art Deco style B&B; vegan bias but breakfast also offers bacon etc.
the Peli
The original boutique hotel in Brighton, with 19 individually themed rock'n'roll bedrooms. Own cocktail bar with local beers. Art exhibitions. Offer catered wedding receptions and whole hotel hire. Breakfast included when book direct, vegetarian and vegan options.
The only 5-star hotel in Brighton. On the seafront, 200 rooms from £140 a night.
Close to the Seafront and the pier with a beautiful courtyard entry. This is where the stars stay when in Brighton. Great restaurant as well. Rooms start at around £175 but many would say 'completely worth it for the exclusivity alone'.
5-star hotel 50 yards from the seafront in Hove. Single £75, double from £125.
Contemporary, fresh and centralcentral Seafront hotel boasting breathtaking Channel views, spacious rooms, swimming pool, steam room, sauna & gym. Free Wi-Fi. Great restaurant menu, extensive wine, cocktail & Champagne list. Enjoy a high quality stay at a sensible rate. Our best prices are available online.
Hotel Una is tucked away in Regency Square adjacent to the West pier. It's a bit of a secret that is well worth discovering. Excellent website shows all the individual room styles.
Stylish and very comfortable boutique hotel in the heart of Brighton, with a Visit Britain five-star rating. Not the cheapest, but excellent value for affordable luxury.
B&B and Guesthouse
Beautiful bed and breakfast in the heart of Brighton.
Hotel with a distinguished history, much of which is still visible in the reception and dining areas. Positives are large rooms and family-friendly policy that gives 50% discount on second room for kids. Offsetting this is the generally poor maintenance and disappointing service levels.
Upscale small hotel facing Palace Pier. Stylish rooms, great dining. Assistance dogs only.
Native American jewellery shop selling new age products such as crystals, incense stick, aromatherapy oils and tarot/oracle cards.
World famous for selling antique war memorabilia and weapons.
Was voted "England's favourite indie record shop" in 2011.
A small shop specialising in vinyl soundtracks and other retro curiosities.
By car
Brighton is a congested city, and not easy to drive or park in at peak times. The principal route from London and Gatwick Airport to the north is the A23, which turns into the M23 just after Crawley.
By bus
By plane
The city's proximity to London means Brighton is well served by airports. Brighton can be reached from Gatwick by train in as little as 25 minutes £9.80-£11.90, Jan 2023).
By bike
Although the area is hilly, cycling is a growing form of transport in Brighton. The city council's website has more details on cycling, including a map of routes.
By bus
Brighton and Hove Council have published a journey planner for local traffic.
By train
Brighton Station is one of the most important rail terminals in the South East and from here the city of Brighton has a small suburban rail network with London Road station, Hove station, Preston…
By taxi
There are lots of teal (greeny-blue) and white taxis in Brighton, with the council logo on the door. They are, however, more expensive than most other towns and cities in England.
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