Brighton is a place to visit when the weather warms up. It’s not just because he has one of the UK’s most famous beaches. Whether you’re cooling off with a single-origin iced coffee at one of Brighton’s coolest cafés, looking for the best vintages in his fashion, or visiting his scene for the best food in the country, there’s no shortage of great things to do. not.
Those looking for something more relaxing can stroll through the spectacular Regency architecture or explore some excellent museums, including the spectacular Royal Pavilion. Just an hour’s train ride from London, a day trip to the seaside couldn’t be easier. These are the best things to do in Brighton right now.
Cycling along the Undercliffe Path
A coastal path from Brighton Marina to the village of Saltdean. The trail is just behind Brighton Marina and runs along the east coast of the city under chalk cliffs towards Eastbourne. It takes about 30 minutes to cycle from Palace Pier to Saltdean. The city-wide BTN BikeShare scheme makes it easy and cheap to get around on two wheels.
Get your caffeine fix at one of Brighton’s great cafes.
Brighton’s coffee is arguably the best in the UK. Brighton residents spend more per capita on coffee than any other city in the UK. The owners spend time researching and sampling the best beans, so you won’t have a hard time finding caffeine remedies here. Local chains like Small Batch and Wolfox are all over town, but if you want the best coffee, head to Stoney Point.
Catch the coolest new bands at Brighton’s best venues.
Check out the coolest new bands at the city’s premier independent venues. Brighton is known for giving new artists a head start thanks to its many small venues. Whether you want to see an unsigned band on stage at The Hope and Ruin or the Green Door store or see his top acts show at Chalk or Concorde 2, you won’t be disappointed if you love new music.
Explore Brighton Palace Pier
Brighton’s Grade II-listed pleasure pier Rides, bars, and restaurants stretch out to sea. Brighton Palace Pier is a tough old bird. With more than a century of history, this Grade II-listed pier has survived two world wars, relentless storms (his one was nearly destroyed before it opened in 1899), and hundreds of thousands of tourists. Join the pilgrim crowd of arcade games, rides, and speedy delivery trucks.
Find Junk at Snoopers Paradise
A huge and eclectic flea market in Kensington Gardens. If you’re looking for antique trinkets to decorate your room, look no further. Enter this massive department store through the old-fashioned turnstiles, where vintage treasures line the second floor. Each stand in Snooper’s Paradise is independently owned. And the good thing about it is that the more variety, the better. After purchasing a fancy hat, hop into the black-and-white photo booth to create a keepsake.
Stroll the streets
Brighton’s most artistic area has many independent shops, restaurants, and traditional pubs. A lot of Brighton exudes character and cool, but Lanes definitely lead the way. These narrow streets are filled with stunning independent cafes, record shops, vintage department stores, bookstores, and art spaces. Strolling through this labyrinthine corridor is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Shop for cool vintage furniture on Era
Upcycled furniture shop specializing in mid-century furniture. Brighton has plenty of good used furniture stores. But the Era crew has their eye on the best and coolest pieces, from mid-century sideboards to stylish armchairs. Their Trafalgar Street shop is a home decorator’s paradise, and they can arrange deliveries across the UK.
Learn Brighton’s queer history on an LGBTQ+ walking tour.
Discover quirky landmarks and history in the arguably LGBTQ+ capital of the UK. why go? Considered by many to be the LGBTQ+ capital of the UK, Brighton proudly hoists a rainbow flag. If you’ve ever wondered how Brighton became the city it is today, a walking tour led by a local expert is a good place to start. The Walk will take you through 200 years of history, showing progress from courage and accomplishments in very different times to the higher attitudes of today. You’ll also see some of Brighton’s best attractions, from seaside splendor to The Lanes to Kemptown’s ‘gay village’.
Enjoy expansive ocean views from the British Airways i360.
A futuristic observatory right by the sea. Granted, it may not be the most beautiful structure, but the views from this 150-meter observation tower are very impressive. From here, you can see most of Brighton, the South Downs, the English Channel, and even the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
Make a record purchase.
A great variety of record stores sell the best in new music and classic LPs. Brighton was at the forefront of the recent vinyl renaissance thanks to its fantastic record shops. Whether you’re looking for cheap second-hand treasures or the latest heavyweight releases, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. The resident is Brighton’s best record shop, with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Explore Castle Hill and the Lost Village of Baldwin.
A protected nature reserve and abandoned village in the depths of the South Downs Castle Hill is a short bus ride away and is home to many rare butterflies. Crossed paths make it easy to circle this hidden part of the South Downs. At the foot of this deep valley is Balsudin, a settlement requisitioned by the Ministry of Defense for marksmanship training during World War II.
Enjoy a sundowner at Rockwater.
Brighton and Hove’s newest beach bar Rockwater, halfway down Hove Beach, is the newest addition to the town’s seafront. A coworking space during the day, a restaurant, and a café, the rooftop terrace is perfect for sipping freshly made cocktails while watching the sunset on a hot summer day.
Discover amazing marine life at Sea Life Brighton.
Brighton’s Sea Life Center is housed in the oldest working aquarium in the world. As you enter this building, built in 1872, don’t be surprised by the impressive original Gothic arches. I especially love the lagoon with beautiful stingrays and the interactive rock pool where you can touch starfish and sea anemones. The aquarium’s newest attraction, Day and Night, will allow visitors to experience how the reefs migrate from day to night thanks to a £2.7 million renovation.
Let’s ride Volks Electric Railway
The oldest working train in the world The Volks Electric Railway, which runs from Palace Pier to Black Rock, is a narrow-gauge railway that entertains tourists and young families. Inaugurated by Magnus Volk in 1883, a small horse-drawn carriage travels along the coast overlooking the sea, past wildflower-dotted shores that are often covered with butterflies in summer.
Admire the Grand Royal Pavilion.
A rather fantastic palace in the middle of the city. You can imagine this infrastructure on the banks of the Yamuna River in India, but the Royal Pavilion is Brighton’s jewel. This ornate Grade II listed building was designed by John Nash in the early 19th century and, for your reference, was built in India in his Saracen Revival style. It was once owned by the Prince of Wales (later George IV). Today, visitors come after touring tastefully recreated rooms, art galleries, and very impressive grounds.
A secret tunnel inside the building connects the pavilion to the Brighton Dome (George’s Stables). Special tours of the tunnels and crypts are offered on certain days, although they are not visible on regular tours.
Fill your pockets with indie goods at the open market.
Vibrant covered market with independent shops, street food, and artist studios. Soggy? Here’s the place to go when it matters. This covered market brings together independent boutiques, artists’ studios, and traditional market stalls under one roof. Shop locally for fresh snacks or grab a book from a small bookstore. When your pockets are bursting, relax with a cup of coffee from his Flying Saucer Cafe.
Hike around Devil’s Dyke
A timeless and beautiful place in the vast South Downs Just a few miles from the city, Britain’s largest arid valley is the perfect place for dog walking and aimless sunset hikes. The embankment has been a major tourist attraction since the 19th century, and it’s very easy to see why. A short walk away is Saddlescomb Farm, a National Trust-managed farm with historical exhibits and a charming outdoor tearoom.
See world treasures at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
Excellent museums and galleries in the city’s cultural district. Part of the Royal Pavilion, this city center museum, and gallery is free for locals and just £7.50 for visitors. Given the treasures on display, from fine art and ancient Egyptian treasures to exhibitions of 20th-century fashion and contemporary artists, it is well worth the money. A changing exhibition is always better. Goal Power is now investigating the rise of women’s football and features a rarely-seen image of David Bowie from previous shows. If you love insects, head to the Natural Science Collection to see half a million tiny critters.
Watch the whispering stars over the pier.
A nocturnal natural wonder that unfolds along the coast all winter long Every night from late October through March, thousands of starlings congregate just before sunset, swooping and twirling in a magical dance before tumbling down to the burnt-out West Pier and the iconic Palace of His Pier below. Settle into the roost. The spectacle offers an incredible view. Don’t miss the Palace Pier. You can see the movement of birds up close.
Bring your big kids to the Brighton Toy and Model Museum.
A wonderfully kitschy tribute to the toys and models of the last 100 years After all, who doesn’t love childhood nostalgia? There are over 10,000 of his items on display here, from Dinky Cars and Mechanokit to vintage penny arcade games, puppet shows, and his 1930s 3-wire O-gauge layout (which seems to be quite rare).
Catch a famous gig at the Brighton Center.
A seaside exhibition center and venue, it is the ideal setting for the comedy, music, and theater that Brighton is known for. Many of Britain’s most famous tours head here. It probably won’t sway you from the history of the venue where you played your last gig: both Bing Crosby and The Jam played their last concerts here.
Get cultural at the Brighton Dome
Already, his one big venue, the Dome, is Brighton Centre’s slightly more sophisticated sibling facility. Enjoy a program of classical music, dance, theater, and poetry. In fact, he has three venues (a concert hall, a concert exchange, and a studio theater) and lots of options.
Sing along to the shuffle on the jukebox.
At the Shuffle Cocktail Bar, a retro jukebox gives it a truly modern twist. Here, Tippler can play his selector via his mobile phone. Open your favorites and start impromptu karaoke. Let’s sing along. Monday through Wednesday, he gets two cocktails for the price of one.
At Grubbs, fill up on burgers.
A well-known burger chain. Every decent Brightonian thinks themselves to be a Grubbs enthusiast. Although this Sussex-based burger restaurant has neither a website nor a Facebook page, its menu is damn near perfect. To enjoy some of the best patties in town, head down to Lewes Road, St. James’s Street, York Place, or Western Road.
Play Pac-Man at The World’s End while holding a beer.
A bar containing video game arcades and even an escape room What could be superior to arcade games? drinking as you perform them! This bar really is the definition of fun with its own escape room, remote-control racetrack, and a ton of VR booths where you can kill some aliens (or play one of the numerous other games). Did we mention that Pac-Man is also available here? Oh, yeah.
