Brighton is an English city an hour's train ride from London, making it a great day trip from the capital. Often a romantic weekend destination for many Londoners, it is located on the southern coast of the United Kingdom and is famous for its almost 8 km of seafront. It is the closest seaside resort to London, therefore very popular with both tourists and English people, and is a very lively destination full of restaurants, culture and entertainment.
If you are planning a trip to this seaside town a stone's throw from London, here are all our tips on what to see in Brighton in one day!
Discover with us:
North Laine
North Laine, the Hipster neighborhood of the city! This area is full of unique cafes and design and vintage shops, such as the unique Brighton Books bookshop. While walking you will also come across the wonderful street art of the neighborhood, from incredible murals and graffiti that make this area a real open-air museum! Right outside the station, for example, there is the Kissing Cops mural by Banksy.
Today North Laine is a thriving residential, sheltered and retail area of central Brighton with largely period terraced housing (many from the 1820s to 1840s) such as Kensington Place and Tidy Street and bohemian independent shopping areas. Some streets combine retail and residential. North Laine is a tourist attraction and a popular area to live in central Brighton. Residents in the area are represented by the North Laine Community Association, a voluntary-led registered charity, formed by local residents in the area in 1976. The North Laine extends southwards from Brighton railway station up Trafalgar Street to city center, ending at the intersection with North Street. Major shopping areas include Trafalgar St, Kensington Gardens, Sydney Street, Gardner Street and Bond Street - mostly pedestrianized apart from Trafalgar St - which are popular with both locals and visitors. The area is well served with independent cafés, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, pubs and some entertainment venues.
Royal Pavillion Brighton
Located between the North Laine and The Lanes districts, which you can visit later, this building is one of the city's main attractions, truly unmissable!
You will realize it as soon as you find yourself at the entrance: in front of you you can admire a large villa with an oriental appearance and architecture! This is the palace that Prince George had built at the beginning of the 19th century as a holiday residence for the English royals. Enter to visit the very rich interiors, including the Banquet Hall, the kitchens, the Music Room and many other luxurious environments, and don't forget to walk in the wonderful gardens, the Pavillion Gardens (always open to the public and with free entry).
The Lanes
One of Brighton's most characteristic neighbourhoods. It develops between the Royal Pavillion and the seafront and is also the ideal place to stop for lunch!
This area was once the hub of the old fishing village of Brighthelmstone, from which the whole town later developed. It is a truly characteristic and very lively neighbourhood, today the true hub of shopping, full of restaurants, tea rooms and traditional pubs. Walking through its streets is a real experience: it is made up of a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, where as you stroll you can come across jewelry shops, second-hand bookshops, craft and antique shops and unique cafés.
Brighton seafront and British Airways i360 Viewing Tower
Here there are mainly two alternatives: the first, weather permitting, is to relax on the beach for an hour, renting one of the iconic colored striped chairs, inevitable in all the photos of Brighton.
Whichever option you choose, don't forget to climb the British Airways i360 Viewing Tower, an incredible tower with a platform rising and descending that takes people to the top. Opened in 2016, once you reach the highest point you can admire an incredible view of all the surroundings! On the sunniest days, you can see up to 40km away! The entire experience lasts 30 minutes in total.
Once you get off the tower, continue the walk along the seafront until you reach the Brighton Bandstand, one of the most photographed and romantic places in the city! While enjoying the walk, look out to sea to admire the skeleton of the West Pier, the old Brighton Pier, destroyed by a major fire in 2003.
Brighton Palace Pier
One of the symbolic places of Brighton: the Brighton Palace Pier! You can easily reach it on foot by walking along the seafront, as it is just over 10 minutes from the British Airways i360 Viewing Tower.
Brighton Palace Pier is Brighton's newest pier and the only one currently open. Inaugurated in 1899, it is one of the most famous tourist piers in all of Great Britain, also considered by many to be the most beautiful! 520 m long, it is a place that will take you back in time, thanks to the presence of rides, entertainment and kiosks, like those seen in American films! We advise you to spend the time you have left here and, above all, to keep it as your last stop because sunset is one of the best times to visit it, when the sun goes down behind the sea and all the lights on the rides slowly start to come on and stands!
Explore outside of the city
If you're keen to get away from the bustle of the city for a while and immerse yourself in natural beauty or fascinating historical heritage, here are some places you absolutely shouldn't miss.
Seven Sisters Country Park: a short drive from Brighton is Seven Sisters Country Park, a fascinating natural area offering breathtaking views. The Seven Sisters are a series of seven towering white cliffs overlooking the English Channel.
Arundel: Located about 30 minutes by train from Brighton, Arundel is a lovely town dominated by its majestic castle and famous Norman cathedral. This 18th-century residence offers rich history and fascinating gardens to explore. The walk along the River Arun isn't bad either.
Lewes: Just 15 minutes by train from Brighton, Lewes is a picturesque town full of history. In addition to the Norman castle (less spectacular than that of Arundel), it is also possible to visit the house of Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII. If you go to Lewes in November, don't miss the famous Bonfire Night, an explosion of fireworks and celebrations that recall ancient traditions.
To continue discovering more hidden gems and captivating destinations, stay tuned for more articles on our website. In case you are traveling to Portugal or Poland in the future, you should try out our tours in Porto, Lisbon and Warsaw. Remember to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be continuously updated on the new releases. We will be back soon with a new article !
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