Brighton is the OG liberal, seaside British town. It is located just over an hour from London and is as overpriced as the capital. But it is far more beautiful and has much better air quality (sorry London). It was the first place in the UK to elect a Green as its member of Parliament, and is home to many environmental movements.

Brighton is located just one hour east along the south coast of the UK from Portsmouth (where I grew up). It is a conference destination as well as a great night out. As a result, I’ve spent my fair share of time in Brighton.

So this post combines nostalgia, a well-trodden path and visits in 2024 and 2025. Sadly the diner I went to on one trip in 2024 was closed by the last time I went in 2025. That’s a bit of the case with Brighton these days, so this is a post that will be frequently updated.

Contents

A short history of Brighton

Brighton was originally a small fishing village, but as holidays to the seaside became more popular, Brighton boomed. It is very much a classic British seaside town, adorned with Georgian and Victorian houses. The city was often visited by royalty, and King George and Queen Victoria made well-documented visits (and stayed at the Pavilion).

Brighton is the home of the UK’s queer culture. It has recorded LGBT culture since the 19th century but it was in the 1930s when it really flourished. As a city it has long had the highest number of same-sex households on the census or registrations for same-sex marriages in the UK.

Brighton made international headlines in 1974 when four Swedish musicians stole the show at the Eurovision Song Contest and changed pop music forever. I am of course talking about ABBA*).

If you’re looking to get a taste of Brighton before you visit, Sugar Rush* was the iconic early naughties TV show set in the town.

Getting to Brighton

Brighton is accessible by coach, rail and road.

Travelling to Brighton by coach

Brighton is served by both the MegaBus and the National Express*. Coaches run from London to Brighton over 20 times a day.

Travelling to Brighton by train

Brighton is served by Southern Railway from London Victoria, Gatwick Airport and Portsmouth. It is also on the Thameslink from London Blackfriars. In short, if you are in the South East of England, its pretty easy to access. As ever, it’s best to book in advance via the Trainline* for the best prices.

Where to stay in Brighton

I’ve stayed in a range of places in Brighton – from some absolutely gorgeous hotels and lovely apartments to some hotels which provide a bed and shower but not much else.

Now as my policy is not to shame places which aren’t great, I won’t tell you where not to stay. I will however say this. Read the reviews carefully. Not all hotels on the seafront are created equal.

The Grand Hotel: my favourite

If you are looking for a truly unforgettable stay in Brighton then it has to be the Grand Hotel.* It is an iconic building located on the seafront that captures renaissance style. It has recently refurbished its rooms and the art deco styling is simply fabulous. It was the small touches that made the Grand Hotel* a wonderful place to stay. I managed to forget my toothpaste. One call to reception and there a member of staff at my door with a toothbrushing kit. Such beauty and luxury however does not come cheap. One cappuccino and diet coke in the bar was over £9.

The DoubleTree by Hilton: the next best!

Until I stayed in the Grand, I thought the DoubleTree* was the place to stay in Brighton. The DoubleTree is one of those hotels which Hilton took over and has really looked after and respected the original building. The hotel is a Victorian building on the seafront, and has a range of suites and sea-view rooms.

What to do in Brighton

Brighton is brimming with things to do. There is shopping (independent and chain shops), culture and water sports. You do however need to dig beneath the surface a bit. If you travel to Brighton by train and just head down towards the seafront, you can easily miss a lot of the town’s charm.

So, here are my 8 things you can do in the town to make your trip absolutely unforgettable.

Tip one: bag a bargain in a shop in Brighton’s lanes

The lanes in Brighton are famous for their quirky, independent shops which offer a range of goods at competitive prices. One of the things which I love about Brighton is that the independent shops have not become overly gentrified and just full of rubbish. You know, the type with the same generic gifts that no-one really wants. The lanes still have a similar selection of vintage or small-brand clothing, unique glasses, antiques and unique record shops that they did when I was fifteen.

There is so much more – there are handmade luxury jewellery shops, boutique opticians and wonderful places to eat.

Tip two: enjoy fish and chips on Brighton beach

It’s a statement of fact that Fish and Chips taste better at the beach. This is certainly true when you are in Brighton. It is hard to go wrong with any of the places along the seafront, but the best I’ve found is West Pier Fish & Chips. It is next door to the DoubleTree by Hilton on the sea front. Equally, the fish and chip shop under the arches near Brighton Pier does a good meal. Plus you can enjoy it sat on the shingle whilst looking out at the remains of the old pier and at the wind turbines (which I quite like).

The only thing you really need to be careful of is the seagulls. They’re vicious and partial to your supper!

Tip three: Get spooked on a night tour

My first ever experience of a ghost tour was in Brighton. The densely packed lanes make it an ideal place to learn about the ghosts of years gone by. It’s easy for the guides to hide around nooks and crannies and the old buildings lend themselves to intrigue. I’m not 100% sure which one we took, but the Brighton Ghost Walk is well recommended if you are looking to book a tour.

Tip four: Step into Victorian England at Brighton Pavilion

The Pavilion is one of those buildings which has always been in the background for me. It was not until I was in my 30s that I bothered to go round it. It could also be it took me that long to be willing to pay for it. I’m oddly glad I left it so long. I don’t think I would have appreciated the opulence and range of interiors in my younger years! In some ways Brighton Pavilion reminded me of Strawberry Hill House. I think it was the rooms themed around specific colours and the opulent decor. The turrets on the outside of the Pavilion also remind me of Strawberry Hill.

The thing about the Pavilion is it is wonderfully over the top. Every room feels like a work of art. The interiors have been meticulously maintained to showcase the potential of the building.

Tip five: Chill with a drink at a bar by the beach

It may not be Ibiza, but a cold glass of rose wine at a beach-front bar in Brighton is a real treat. Especially on a sunny day! There are plenty of bars to try (and the quality like with many things in Brighton really does vary). Personally I quite like the Seahorse as a spot to enjoy a drink. It has a wonderful open seating area on the beach and is spacious indoors. Plus it has a good selection of gin.

The sunset over the sea can be really beautiful, and watching it from a nice bar with a glass of wine makes for a great evening.

Tip six: Step into Brighton’s finest at the Grand Hotel

Anyone who has worked in politics in the UK will know the Grand Hotel* in Brighton. It is famous as a host venue for political party conferences. It was also where Margaret Thatcher stayed when she was attacked by the IRA.

There’s something about the Grand Hotel* that cannot be beaten. It doesn’t look like much from the outside but the rooms are excellent. It’s probably the memories that make the Grand special for me, but when I finally stayed there the small touches also made an impression. If you are not staying at the Grand Hotel, I would recommend calling in for a drink and look at the hotel shops.

Tip seven: Enjoy the best of the British Seaside at Brighton Pier

Brighton Palace Pier is iconic. The combination of amusement arcades, rides and restaurants mean it really captivates a traditional trip to the seaside. It is one of those places that’s utterly silly, but you can waste hours with arcade games, tea cup rides and a good fish and chips.

Which leads to tip 7.5 – don’t waste money on “amusements” like the upside down house. I’m sure there are some cool photos to be had. However, there is so much in Brighton that is unique to the town, and these houses are not.

Tip eight: discover independent art at a pop-up gallery

One thing which Brighton is good for is an unexpected pop-up gallery. There are a lot of spaces in the town which get taken over with temporary exhibitions. On my most recent visit I stumbled across one of the most powerful exhibitions I have possibly ever seen. It was in support of people in the city with mental health challenges and I couldn’t actually finish walking around as it was so poignant.

*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no cost to you.

Save ‘8 tips for an unforgettable trip to Brighton’ for later