Things to Do in Brighton- Brighton is a city of distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own atmosphere, culture and lifestyle. From the creative streets of North Laine to the lively restaurants of Kemptown and the elegant seafront of Hove, every area of the city has something unique to explore.
This Brighton Journal city guide covers what to see and do in Brighton’s key districts — arts venues, restaurants, cafés, theatres, spas, hotels and shopping streets — plus the best things to do in Brighton this weekend, in the rain, with kids and for free.
Jump to: North Laine | The Lanes | Kemptown | Brighton Seafront | Hove | Seven Dials | Preston Park | Free Things to Do | Things to Do in the Rain | Things to Do with Kids | Unusual Things to Do | FAQ
Things to Do in North Laine Brighton
Brighton’s most creative district — independent shops, street art, live music venues, coffee roasters and small theatres. North Laine rewards a slow wander at any time of year.
Art & Culture
Komedia Brighton — comedy shows, live music, cabaret and club nights. One of Brighton’s most beloved venues and consistently the best place to find something unexpected on a weeknight. komedia.co.uk
Brighton Dome — major concerts, theatre, dance and cultural events in a stunning Grade I listed building on the edge of the Royal Pavilion grounds.
Royal Pavilion — Brighton’s extraordinary Indo-Mughal palace. One of the most unusual buildings in Britain. Worth at least two hours. royalpavilion.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery — free entry. World-class permanent collection including the Fashion & Style gallery and the Willett Collection of pottery. Inside the Royal Pavilion grounds.
Street Art — North Laine has one of the UK’s strongest street art scenes. Walk slowly through Gardner Street, Kensington Gardens and Sydney Street.
Coffee & Cafés
Redroaster — Brighton’s original speciality coffee roaster. A North Laine institution.
Small Batch Coffee Roasters — excellent espresso and filter coffee across multiple Brighton locations.
Moksha Caffe — long-standing neighbourhood café beloved by locals. The kind of place you return to every visit.
Presuming Ed — one of the city’s most beloved independent cafés. Arrive early on weekends.
Flour Pot Bakery — outstanding sourdough and pastries. The correct answer before 11am.
Restaurants & Brunch
Iydea — Kensington Gardens — healthy, seasonal lunch spot with queues at midday that tell you everything.
Oowee Vegan — plant-based burgers that have converted dedicated carnivores. The loaded fries are mandatory.
Lost In The Lanes — chef-led artisan brunch. One of the best brunch rooms in the city.
Terre à Terre — East Street — Brighton’s landmark vegetarian restaurant. Over 30 years and never repeats a dish.
Pubs & Bars
The Basketmakers Arms — the pub Brighton locals point visitors towards. No music, no machines — good beer and good conversation.
Earth & Stars — locally sourced natural ales and serious plant-based food. A genuinely distinctive North Laine pub.
Wellness
Sauna in the Lanes — Nordic alderwood sauna in the heart of the city, in the historic grounds of Brighton’s first synagogue on Middle Street. → Full review
Shopping
Independent boutiques, vintage clothing, record shops, bookshops and artisan makers throughout Kensington Gardens, Gardner Street, Sydney Street and Bond Street. Brighton’s strongest independent shopping street in the city.
Things to Do in The Lanes Brighton
Brighton’s historic quarter — narrow cobbled alleyways filled with jewellery boutiques, restaurants, champagne bars and independent shops. One of the most atmospheric areas of any UK city.
Restaurants
64 Degrees — Church Street — small plates, open kitchen and focused modern cooking. Book ahead.
Riddle & Finns — champagne and oyster bar energy. Two locations — the Lanes and the beachfront.
English’s of Brighton — East Street — oysters, seafood and champagne since 1945. A Brighton institution.
Kindling — grass-fed British beef, sustainable ethos, open kitchen. A sharing roast on Sundays.
IL Bistro — in the Lanes since 1976. Fresh pasta, arancini and dry-aged British beef in an 18th-century fisherman’s cottage.
Fatto a Mano Pizza — authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. Consistently excellent and always busy.
ASK Italian Brighton — fresh pasta, new Pizza a Mano, summer courtyard terrace and extensive gluten-free menu. → Read our review
For something genuinely new: Istanbull Katz on Little East Street is serving contemporary Turkish food in The Lanes — regional, considered and unlike anything else in the city right now. → Review
Regency Afternoon Tea at the Royal Pavilion — Take afternoon tea inside George IV’s extraordinary seaside palace. The Regency Afternoon Tea Party package is served in the Royal Pavilion with sandwiches, scones and pastries in full Regency style. One of the most distinctive afternoon tea experiences in Brighton — and arguably in the South East.
Book ahead.
Wine Bars & Cocktails
Plateau Brighton — natural wine bar and small plates in a relaxed setting.
The Plotting Parlour — Victorian gin parlour. Deep armchairs, long cocktail lists and an atmosphere that makes an early evening feel like a proper occasion.
Alcotraz: Cell Block One-Three — Brighton’s most talked-about immersive cocktail experience. Book well ahead.
Theatre & Culture
Theatre Royal Brighton — New Road — the city’s cultural anchor. Touring drama, West End productions and comedy. One of the finest historic theatre interiors in the UK. → Brighton Journal review: Barnum The Circus Musical
Shopping
Luxury jewellery boutiques, antique dealers, independent fashion and artisan shops throughout The Lanes. One of the most rewarding shopping areas in the South East.
Things to Do in Kemptown Brighton
One of Brighton’s most vibrant and characterful neighbourhoods — known for its LGBTQ+ scene, independent restaurants, creative community and the seafront eastern end of the city.
Restaurants & Brunch
Crafty Egg — egg-centric brunch in Brighton’s most creative neighbourhood. Queue expected, worth it.
The Salt Room — Marine Parade — elegant seafood cooking on the seafront with some of the best views in the city.
Burnt Orange — Middle Street — consistently strong Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates in a lively room.
Jamun — crowned Best Restaurant in Brighton 2025. Refined modern Indian dining. → Read full feature
Bars & Nightlife
Revenge — Brighton’s iconic LGBTQ+ nightclub on Old Steine. At the heart of the city’s Pride scene year-round.
Charles Street — popular LGBTQ+ bar and terrace in the heart of Kemptown.
The Marlborough — pub and theatre in one. LGBTQ+ friendly, hosting regular theatre nights and live events.
The Farm Tavern — Eastern European small plates, legendary Bloody Marys and a Gothic interior unlike anything else in Brighton.
Art & Culture
Kemptown Street Art — some of Brighton’s finest murals around St James’s Street and the surrounding streets. A slow walk rewards.
Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) — Dyke Road Park — summer theatre in a beautiful outdoor setting. One of the loveliest ways to spend a summer evening in Brighton.
Wellness & Spa
Sea Lanes Brighton — open water swimming hub on the eastern seafront. Pool, café and cold water sea entry. sealanesbrighton.co.uk
Beach Box Sauna — wood-fired sauna directly on Brighton Beach. Cold plunge: the sea. → Full guide
Hotels
Kemptown has a strong selection of boutique guesthouses and small hotels — particularly popular with visitors to Brighton Pride and weekend breaks.
Things to Do on Brighton Seafront
Brighton’s iconic seafront stretches from the West Pier ruins to the Marina — beach bars, restaurants, historic attractions and some of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Attractions
Brighton i360 — the glass observation pod rises to 138 metres above sea level, offering 360-degree views across Brighton, the Sussex coastline and the South Downs. Now also a venue for events, private dining and wellness experiences. → Brighton i360 — One Year Under Nightcap
Volk’s Electric Railway — The world’s oldest operating electric railway, running along Brighton seafront since 1883. A mile-long beachfront journey from the Aquarium to Black Rock. Open from 28 March 2026. → Full story
Brighton Palace Pier — rides, arcades, fish and chips and the pleasure of walking over the sea. Free to enter. brightonpier.co.uk
Brighton Sea Life Centre — one of the world’s oldest aquariums. Brilliant for families and younger children. → Read our review: brightonjournal.co.uk/review-sea-life-brighton/
West Pier ruins — Brighton’s most atmospheric landmark. Extraordinary at sunrise and sunset.
Wild Dolphin Watching — Brighton Marina — sunset cruises
and wildlife sailing trips with the Sussex Dolphion Project from Brighton Marina. → Full guide: brightonjournal.co.uk/dolphin-watching-brighton/
Restaurants & Beach Dining
Rockwater — beach club, restaurant and bar on the seafront. One of Brighton’s best spots for a long lunch with a sea view.
Shelter Hall — Brighton’s seafront food hall. Multiple independent food vendors under one roof in the historic seafront arches.
Cyan at The Grand — one of Brighton’s most generous and elegant dining rooms. Excellent for Sunday roast or a special occasion dinner.
The Salt Room — Marine Parade — Brighton’s most complete seafood restaurant. Outstanding views and consistently excellent cooking.
Wellness & Outdoor
Brighton Beach — always free. Walk from the West Pier ruins to the Palace Pier or west to Hove Lawns. The light on the water on a clear morning is reason enough to live here.
Sea Swimming — Brighton has a year-round cold water swimming community. Sea Lanes is the city’s open water hub.
Live Music & Events
Concorde 2 — the essential mid-capacity Brighton venue on Madeira Drive. Energetic gigs, loyal crowd, great sound.
On The Beach — July 2026 — Fatboy Slim’s Big Beach Boutique 7 across three nights on Brighton Beach.
Stay in Brighton
Boutique hotel Drakes Hotel review Â
Luxury Hotel Grand Brighton
Things to Do in Hove
Neighbouring Hove offers a calmer, more elegant atmosphere — wide seafront lawns, stylish independent restaurants, natural wine bars and some of Brighton’s finest dining.
Restaurants
Maré by Rafael Cagali — Church Road — Brighton’s Michelin-starred restaurant. The definitive special occasion table in the city. Book well ahead. → Read full feature
The Little Fish Market — Norfolk Square — one of Brighton’s most celebrated intimate dining rooms. Chef Duncan Ray’s tasting menu changes daily.
Wild Flor — Church Road — natural wine and honest seasonal cooking. Hove’s most complete neighbourhood restaurant.
Flint — Church Road — wine bar and small plates with a thoughtfully curated natural wine list.
The Ginger Pig — Hove — brilliant Sunday roast, strong wine list. The kind of Hove local worth making a journey for.
Cin Cin — handmade pasta and seasonal menus. One of Brighton’s most celebrated independent Italian kitchens.
Cafés & Brunch
Flour Pot Bakery — Hove — outstanding sourdough, pastries and coffee.
Independent bakeries and brunch spots along Church Road and Western Road reward a slow morning walk.
Wellness & Spa
Saunadelic — Hove Lagoon — Finnish-style sauna with Narvi stove and freshwater cold plunge on the Hove seafront.
Hove Lawns — the quieter, wider stretch of seafront west of the city. Better for sitting, picnicking and watching the sea without the crowds.
Live Music & Culture
The Old Market — Upper Market Street — intimate performances, new writing, jazz and folk in a converted market building. One of Hove’s finest cultural venues.
Things to Do in Seven Dials Brighton
A quiet residential neighbourhood north of the city centre — known for independent shops, neighbourhood restaurants and one of Brighton’s most characterful pub scenes.
Restaurants & Cafés
Post House — cosy, vintage-inspired café. Excellent brunch and Sunday roasts from midday.
Pubs
The Geese — Southover Street — gastropub quality, outstanding roast potatoes, strong local following. Worth the climb.
The Roundhill — the best vegan Sunday roast in Brighton. Seitan beef brisket, the city’s best nut roast, every Sunday from noon.
Shopping
Independent shops, florists and neighbourhood businesses along Dyke Road and Seven Dials junction.
Things to Do Near Preston Park Brighton
Brighton’s largest park and the surrounding neighbourhood — home to some of the city’s biggest outdoor events, a historic manor house and excellent local restaurants.
Parks & Outdoors
Preston Park — Brighton’s largest park. Playground, velodrome, café, rose garden. Free entry.
Preston Manor — historic Edwardian manor house with regular tours and seasonal events including Easter Trail (3–12 April).
Events
Brighton Pride — 1–3 August 2026 — the main festival site for the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ event. Diana Ross, RAYE, RuPaul and Jessie J headline. → Brighton Pride 2026
Foodies Festival — 2–4 May 2026 — the UK’s biggest food and drink festival takes over Preston Park for its 21st anniversary. → Foodies Festival Brighton 2026
Brighton Festival Children’s Parade — 2 May — the 40th edition of Europe’s largest children’s parade. Free to watch.
Restaurants
Stanmer House — Stanmer Park — historic Georgian manor house in ancient parkland. Outstanding Sunday roast in one of the most atmospheric settings near Brighton.
Free Things to Do in Brighton
Brighton has one of the most generous free cultural offers of any UK city outside London.
Brighton Beach — always free, always worth it. Walk from the West Pier ruins to the Palace Pier, or west to Hove Lawns.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery — free permanent collection in the Royal Pavilion grounds. Fashion, ceramics, fine art, local history.
Street Art & Murals — Kemptown, the North Laine and the seafront arches all reward a slow walk.
Brighton Festival — May 2026 — 25 free events including two Weekends Without Walls (16–17 May and 23–24 May).
Oska Bright Film Festival — 28 March–2 April — the world’s largest film festival celebrating filmmakers with learning disabilities. Free to attend across Brighton Dome and city venues.
South Downs National Park — Ditchling Beacon, Devil’s Dyke and the Seven Sisters are all within 30 minutes of the city centre. Free and extraordinary.
Live Jazz at The Rooftop — every Thursday, free — live jazz every Thursday from 5–8pm at Projects Club, Nile House. No booking required, no entry fee. → Full guide
The Story Trail — September–November — 30+ giant BookBenches by local artists across the city. Free family adventure. → See our Wellness guide for more free outdoor events
Things to Do in Brighton in the Rain
Brighton in the rain has its own particular atmosphere. These are the best options when the weather turns.
Royal Pavilion — one of the most unusual buildings in Britain. Worth at least two hours. Regency Afternoon Tea at the Royal Pavilion — History & GuideÂ
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery — free entry. Fashion & Style gallery, Willett Collection of pottery. Inside the Royal Pavilion grounds.
The Lanes & North Laine — a slow wander through Brighton’s independent shopping heart. Best on a rainy afternoon when the crowds thin.
Komedia — stand-up, improv, panel shows and comedy nights. komedia.co.uk
Sauna in the Lanes — a wood-fired Nordic sauna in the historic grounds of Brighton’s first synagogue on Middle Street. Exactly the right place to be on a grey afternoon. → Full review
Alcotraz: Cell Block One-Three — Brighton’s most talked-about immersive cocktail experience. Book ahead.
Brighton Dome & Theatre Royal — check last-minute availability. Locals often find excellent seats late in the week.
Things to Do in Brighton with Kids
Brighton is an exceptional city for children — wide seafront, a working pier, a palace, parks and a creative culture that produces events for all ages throughout the year.
Brighton Palace Pier — rides, arcades, fish and chips and the pleasure of walking over the sea. Free to enter. brightonpier.co.uk
Brighton Sea Life Centre — one of the world’s oldest aquariums on the seafront. Brilliant for younger children.
Stanmer Park & One Garden Brighton — ancient parkland minutes from the city centre. Woodland walks, walled garden, café and regular family events. Free entry to the park.
Brighton Festival Children’s Parade — 2 May 2026 — the 40th edition of Europe’s largest children’s parade. Thousands of schoolchildren with handmade artworks fill the streets. Free to watch.
Preston Park — the city’s largest park. Playground, velodrome, café, rose garden. Free.
Brighton Kite Festival — Summer — Preston Park fills with extraordinary kites of every size. One of the most joyful free events of the year.
Brighton Sea Life Centre — the world’s oldest continually operating aquarium. The ocean tunnel, glass bottom boat and over 150 years of history make it one of Brighton’s most complete family attractions. → Read our full review: brightonjournal.co.uk/review-sea-life-brighton/
Volk’s Electric Railway — Open from 28 March. A seafront classic, brilliant for children and families. Built in 1883 — the world’s oldest electric railway still in operation.
Unusual Things to Do in Brighton
Brighton specialises in the unexpected. A few things you will not find elsewhere.
Breathwork at 450 feet — Fuego’s Rise at Brighton i360 — guided breathwork inside the i360 glass pod above the seafront. → Full preview
Outdoor sauna in ancient woodland — Stanmer Sauna Garden CIC — community-run, wood-fired, genuinely unlike anything in most UK cities. → Full review
Alcotraz immersive cocktail experience — cocktails in a prison cell. Surprisingly brilliant.
Burning the Clocks — December — a lantern procession through the city to the beach, ending in a bonfire and fireworks. One of the most magical free events in the UK.
Live Jazz at 100 feet above Brighton — Projects Club Rooftop — every Thursday, free. → Full guide
FAQ — Things to Do in Brighton
What are the best things to do in North Laine Brighton?
North Laine is best explored on foot — independent shops, vintage stores, record shops and coffee roasters along Kensington Gardens, Gardner Street and Sydney Street. Komedia and Brighton Dome are the main cultural venues. Breakfast at Flour Pot or Presuming Ed, lunch at Iydea, evening at The Basketmakers Arms.
What is Kemptown Brighton known for?
Kemptown is Brighton’s LGBTQ+ heartland and one of the city’s most characterful neighbourhoods. St James’s Street is the main strip — cafés, bars, boutiques and restaurants. The eastern seafront, Sea Lanes and Brighton’s best street art are all here.
What is the difference between Brighton and Hove?
Hove sits immediately west of Brighton — calmer, more residential, with wide seafront lawns and some of the city’s finest restaurants. Church Road is Hove’s main dining and bar street. Maré by Rafael Cagali, Wild Flor and The Little Fish Market are all in Hove.
What are the best things to do in The Lanes Brighton?
The Lanes are best for eating and shopping — narrow cobbled streets with jewellery boutiques, champagne bars and excellent restaurants. 64 Degrees, Riddle & Finns, English’s and Theatre Royal Brighton are all here.
What is there to do on Brighton seafront?
Brighton Palace Pier (free entry), Brighton i360, Brighton Sea Life Centre, Shelter Hall food hall, beach bars, sea swimming and the West Pier ruins. Concorde 2 is on Madeira Drive for live music.
What are the best free things to do in Brighton?
Brighton Beach, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the South Downs, street art walks through Kemptown and North Laine, and Brighton Festival’s 25 free events in May. Oska Bright Film Festival (28 March–2 April) is also free.
What are the best things to do in Brighton with kids?
Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton Sea Life Centre, Stanmer Park, the Children’s Parade during Brighton Festival (2 May), Preston Park and the seafront. Brighton has a strong programme of family events throughout the school holidays.
Is Brighton worth visiting for a day trip?
Yes. The train from London Victoria takes 55 minutes. A good day covers the Lanes, the seafront, the Royal Pavilion and lunch at one of the city’s excellent restaurants.
Brighton Journal is an independent local magazine covering food, culture, events and life in Brighton & Hove. Our neighbourhood guides are written and updated by local editors.
See also: →Things to Do in Brighton| Events Brighton | Arts & Culture Brighton | Food & Drink in Brighton |Wellness in Brighton| Places to Visit Near Brighton | The Best Hotels | Brighton Journal Stays | Contact|
