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- Seaside. Brighton is known across the UK as a seaside destination. It’s one of the favorite places for British people to take a day trip to the sea. It’s especially popular with Londoners and those who live in the South, accessible by just an hour train journey from central London.
- Brighton Palace Pier. The Brighton Palace Pier has been a landmark of the city for over a century, having been opened in 1899. In fact, it is so popular that it attracted over four million visitors in 2016.
- LGBTQ+ Brighton is the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of the United Kingdom, with a history dating back to at least the 19th century. The city hosts many LGBTQ+ venues and shops, and a large and welcoming community.
- Hove. Brighton is famous for not being just one place, but two! Officially, the city is called the city of Brighton and Hove and when people refer to Brighton, they’re often referring to this common area (or unitary authority, as it’s officially known).
- It’s the nearest south coast to London. Brighton is less than 1 hour by train from our capital city. That’s why, for the last 200 years, it’s been known as ‘London by the sea’ – the resort of choice for those wanting an easy escape from London, whether you are a day tripper, meeting you lover for a ‘dirty weekend’, a mod or rocker, or seeking an alternative way of life.
- It has the UK’s most eccentric palace. There is no other building like the Brighton Royal Pavilion. A fantastical fusion of Indian styles on the outside and Chinese inside, it was designed for Britain’s most decadent King King George IV as his party palace by the sea.
- It’s the Green capital of Britain. Caroline Lucas is the first and only Green Party Member of Parliament, representing Brighton Pavilion constituency since 2010.
- The first Body Shop opened in 1976. Anita Roddick’s pioneering herbal cosmetics shop opened in Kensington Gardens in 1976. They moved to bigger premises long ago, but today you can visit the blue plaque and enjoy the buzz of this colourful shopping street.
What is Brighton Ontario Known For? As with much of this area along Lake Ontario, apples grow in abundance and this town is no different. Brighton is known for its apples and naturally, a large number of farm stores where you can purchase them in late summer and early fall.
- Hit the beach. A trip to Brighton wouldn’t be complete without spending time on its famous beach. Pebbly rather than sandy, you can have a go at watersports such as stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing or simply relax in the glorious sunshine.
- Feel the nostalgia at Brighton Pier. One of the bigger attractions on the seafront is Brighton Pier, a city landmark that dates back to the Victorian era.
- Marvel at the splendor of the Royal Pavilion. Brighton’s most iconic landmark is the extravagant Royal Pavilion, which was once the seaside palace of King George IV.
- Start your day with locally roasted coffee. Brighton is one of the UK’s most coffee-obsessed cities, and there is a wealth of independent coffee shops where you can get your caffeine fix from locally roasted beans.
- Overview
- What to see & do in Brighton
- Best Brighton hotels
- Where to go out in Brighton
- Where to shop in Brighton
- Where to eat in Brighton
Queen of pleasure parlours and bastion of beach raves, Britain’s most progressive seaside resort combines coastal laissez-faire with a commitment to creativity and sustainability.
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Britain’s original destination for a dirty weekend, Brighton has had a reputation for licentiousness since the Prince Regent (later King George IV) started bringing his mistress Maria Fitzherbert here in the late 18th century. The construction of his coastal party pad, Brighton Pavilion, sealed the deal — slowly transforming the sleepy fishing village of Brighthelmston into a fashionable destination for the Regency elite, as well as setting a deliriously high standard for subsequent society pleasure dens.
Cut to 2023 and the city has cleaned up its act. It claims the UK’s only Green Party MP and its highest density of vegan restaurants, according to 2022 research by chefspencil.com. To sanitise the city too thoroughly, however, would be to rob it of its charm. This is a place synonymous with Graham Greene’s underworld novel Brighton Rock and, latterly, best known for bonkers beachfront raves and outrageous drag acts. An exemplar of the counterculture, it prides itself on openness and inclusivity — its wordplay nickname ‘B-right-on’ infinitely more apt than the slightly sneering ‘London-on-Sea’.
Though a fraction of the capital’s size — only qualifying for its city status when bundled together with neighbouring Hove in 2001 — Brighton brims with big energy. “It’s the beating heart of the south coast,” says Michael Aurel, manager of one of its hottest bars, the Plotting Parlour. “And absolutely everyone is welcome here.”
Much of Brighton’s appeal is along its extensive coastline — walk any section of the promenade between Hove Lagoon and Brighton Marina and you’ll pass grand seafront hotels and kitsch candy floss stalls, rollerbladers with rainbow hair and hen parties wearing kiss-me-quick hats. Nearby is The Lanes and its labyrinth of alleyways, many made using a building material called bungaroosh. Here, flint, pebbles and sand are set within the walls, the influence of the sea seeping even into streets set far back from the water.
The Lanes & North Laine: These adjacent areas are made for ambling. Traditionally the city’s jewellery district, the narrow and maze-like Lanes are still chock-full of gem-laden shops, plus an armoury shop, painted brilliant guards-red and stocked with samurai swords. North Laine, an umbrella term for several roads including Bond St and Kensington Gardens, has an almost carnival-like atmosphere at weekends, with some boulevards accommodating cafes’ pavement tables as well as various vintage and independent stores.
Royal Pavilion: Queen Victoria called her predecessor King George IV’s maximalist retreat ‘strange’ — but she must be the only visitor it’s ever failed to impress. Brighton’s Versailles, the Pavilion’s decadent design is heavily inspired by different parts of Asia — the outside is like a mini-version of India’s Taj Mahal, while the interior is a dazzling combination of gilded dragons, celestial carpets and hand-painted Chinese wallpaper.
Left: The Royal Pavilion and Garden was built for King George IV.
Right: The Lanes, part of which date back to the late 16th century, are a labyrinth made fun with quaint nooks to eat, drink and shop.
Photographs by Mark Parren Taylor
Brighton seafront: Smack bang in the middle of Brighton’s almost eight miles of coastline is the Victorian-era Palace Pier. Its diverse amusements include a two-penny arcade, a caravan offering tarot readings and a fairground with a helter-skelter. For a more sedate ride, head to the nearby Volk’s Electric Railway, a narrow-gauge train that trundles along the promenade towards the Marina.
Hotel du Vin: Housed in a handsome, gothic-style building that was once a wine merchant’s store, this 49-room hotel sits back from the seafront. Coastal shades bring a sense of serenity to the stylish bedrooms, while downstairs the clubbish bar and Parisian-style bistro buzz with life. The courtyard is sundowner-central during warmer months.
One Broad Street: There’s no receptionist or breakfast at this self-service Kemptown hotel — instead, each digitally locked room comes with a kitchenette. The industrial aesthetic is offset by cosy throws slung over super-comfy beds. Book a deluxe king, or the courtyard or loft suite if you’re travelling with family. These sleep four and come with a lounge area.
The Plotting Parlour: Dionysus, the Greek god of pleasure, is the muse for this inventive cocktail bar. As well as appearing on its bacchanalian wallpaper, they’re the inspiration behind drinks such as the boldly textured and coloured negroni sorbeto. Bag a table in the light-filled glass atrium or one of the restored cinema seats at the back.
The Basketmakers Arms: This pub started as a side-hustle for a local 19th-century weaver, and still serves as a hub for North Laine residents. A low-ceilinged old-school boozer, its walls are covered with vintage tobacco tins containing notes left by previous patrons. Pen your own haiku or love letter while sinking a pint from one of eight cask ales. Its menu features locally caught seafood and meat from Brighton butchers.
Era: Past masters at acquiring mid-century furniture, the owners of this two-floor corner store believe decorative antiques are the next big thing in interiors and are expanding their stock accordingly. The duo’s finds are all carefully refurbished and could include a pair of psychedelic side tables, an art deco club chair or a painted terracotta leopard.
Snoopers Paradise: Sherlock Holmes’ mind palace featured long corridors and endless memory-packed rooms — a fitting metaphor for this capacious flea market, where the detective serves as a logo. Shoppers enter the Brighton institution through a turnstile to explore 100 stalls laden with rare vinyl, vintage clothes, retro toys and endless other intriguing ephemera, all curated into themed areas.
Papersmiths: This little shop is a love-letter to the art of putting pen to paper, offering a rainbow of writing materials and a whimsical range of tote bags featuring slogans such as ‘Always Stationery Never Stationary’. Among the few UK outlets selling diaries by cult US brand Appointed, it also has its own range of brightly coloured notebooks.
Left: Gabriel Gutierrez, the king of Brighton’s Open Market, owns the family-run Taquitos Casazul, where he shares his deep passion for Mexican culture.
Right: English's, open since 1945, is Brighton's oldest seafood restaurant.
Photographs by Mark Parren Taylor
Taquitos Casazul: Great for a street food-style lunch, this place is run by genial Gabriel Gutierrez, the king of Brighton’s Open Market, a — somewhat ironically — covered marketplace off the city’s London Road. His short menu of Mexican dishes includes chicken tacos de mole — a 40-plus ingredient flavour-hit — as well as vegan versions. Pick up one of his nutty salsas to take home.
English’s: Brighton’s oldest seafood restaurant is still among its best, with period signage and muralled interior walls that evoke the Edwardian high life. Choose from oysters at the bar or one of its excellent-value set menus, featuring mackerel pate alongside classics such as lobster thermidor.
Furna: A booking at lauded local chef Dave Mothersill’s restaurant is as much an event as tickets to the Theatre Royal next door. Sit on a mustard bar stool at the countertop to watch a kitchen ballet unfold, with staff preparing an eight-course tasting menu of delicately beautiful and flavour-rich dishes like Orkney scallop, Yorkshire rhubarb and white asparagus. Its low-lit, parquet-floored dining room is made for lingering.
Getting there & around
Rail links to Brighton are operated by Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, with direct services to destinations including London and Cambridge. The train station is very central and a straight 15-minute walk to the seafront.
Average journey time from London: 1h.
Brighton's location has made it a popular destination for tourists, renowned for its diverse communities, shopping areas, large and vibrant cultural, music and arts scene, and its large LGBT population, leading to its recognition as the "unofficial gay capital of the UK" and as of the 2021 census, 10.7% of the population of Brighton and Hove ove...
Jun 26, 2024 · Brighton attracts millions of visitors every year and has developed into the UK’s most popular seaside resort, where tourists can partake in a wide variety of activities. Follow our guide below to experience an extraordinary day in the beautiful town of Brighton.
