things to do in Brighton

Brighton by day  |  Brighton by night  |  Around & About  |  Gay Brighton

We've consulted far and wide and bring you some of the highlights of Brighton by day...

shopping and snacking in Brighton

Probably your first port of call should be The Lanes - a 17th Century labyrinth of cobbled alleyways and squares where antique and jewellery shops stand shoulder-to-shoulder with top fashion labels. Complementing them perfectly - the BoHo chic of the North Laine is also definitely worth your time - with gorgeous little independent clothing and gift shops. You'll find a great selection of unusual cafés, bars and restaurants in which to pit stop between purchases. Both areas are a real must when visiting Brighton.

Undoubtedly far less inspiring is the Churchill Square Shopping Centre, home of all the usual high street chain stores - built in the late nineties with apparently little reference to the intrinsic charms of Brighton. You’ll also find well-known high street names lining the adjoining Western Road if you need them.

Similarly, despite its greatest efforts to become a outlet retail experience, Brighton Marina isn’t quite up to its hype. However, if it's a sunny day the waterfront with its restaurants and bars is worth a coffee while you watch the yachts come and go.

The St James' Street and Kemp Town area - around which most of the gay bars and clubs are centred - is well worth a wander. A village feel to this area of town brings a number of independent shops offering anything from deli treats to quirky gifts.

A comprehensive list of top shops in Brighton can be found in our Shops Directory.

All that shopping is bound to make you feel hungry, so we've got some great restaurants and cafes serving up really fabulous food. Whether it's breakfast or brunch to set you up for the day, a leisurely lunch or a romantic dinner, check our Restaurants Directory for the lowdown on places to eat

Brighton culture

For the cultural buffs among you there are hidden gems to be discovered. Of course, The Royal Pavilion should be top of your list - where you can uncover the unexpected history and marvel at the Indi-Oriental architecture and furnishings. Find out why Queen Victoria was not amused and what was on the menu at one of George IV’s lavish candlelit suppers. More history can be explored at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery with its stunning local and national collections.

The newly completed Jubilee Library is one of the most energy efficient public buildings in the country and well worth a nose round. As you’d expect, there is plenty to read on offer and Brighton residents can borrow books with a library card, but if you’d like to find out more about Brighton, then there’s a very useful reference section with local history, specialist journals and rare books that could very easily while away a few hours. Watch out for art installations and there's also a useful LGBT collection too.

the beaches of Brighton

Of course, if the weather's looking good, then head to the beach and catch a few rays. During summer months you can take the Volk’s Railway (the first public electric railway in the world) down to Black Rock and throw caution to the wind, along with your clothes for some au naturel sun worship on the Brighton Nudist Beach if you're feeling brave. If something more energetic is to your taste you could try your hand at Volleyball at the beach volleyball courts or discover the delights of windsurfing and other watersports at Hove Lagoon.

The beach stretches for miles along the seafront, from the cliffs to the East, past the piers to the working harbour at Shoreham. It makes for a great stroll to discover the many art galleries and bars at the beach-front or to peer into the traditional beach huts on the Hove esplanade.

In terms of family attractions, Brighton Pier is an obvious choice - being the UK's most visited tourist attraction - and hard to miss with flashing lights and central location. Free to stroll and free deckchair hire but you should expect to be enticed to part with your money at every available opportunity - from amusement arcades to kiss-me-kwik hats, fast food to the karaoke bar and not to mention the end-of-the-pier funfair.

Another classic seaside pleasure building is the Sea Life Centre, once The Brighton Aquarium. Believed to be one of the oldest aquariums in the world still in operation, the history of this classic Victorian building is somewhat controversial with exhibits that would once include Dolphin shows and Chimpanzee tea parties. Now, conservation rather than mere public entertainment is high on the agenda, and the collection is an important resource for research into protecting inhabitants of the deep.