Take a day trip to the seaside town of Brighton, known for its vibrant and eccentric atmosphere. Brighton is full of fun activities for all the family for the perfect day at the seaside.
Pier
Probably the most well-known tourist attraction in Brighton is the Palace Pier. The Pier is lined with rides, attractions, shops, and food stalls for a whole day of fun. You will find attractions suitable for all ages. There are traditional fairground favourites and an arcade, and for the thrill seekers among you there are much more daring rides.
There are a number of restaurants and bars on the Pier, or if you are looking for something a bit quicker, there are many food stalls. A must have treat are the freshly made warm American sugar doughnuts, you definitely can’t miss those!
The Lanes
Located at the heart of the city are The Brighton Lanes, a maze of narrow cobbled lanes, famous for their small cafes, shops, and boutiques. Spend hours getting lost in Brighton’s historic quarter browsing the hundreds of independent shops selling fashion, accessories, jewellery, homeware, and foods.
Royal Pavilion and gardens
Built for King George IV, this historic palace is seen on most postcards. You can take a tour of the Palace seeing inside the elegant Palace, go in the museums or just wander through the estate and gardens. There are several rooms that are not included in the tour that you can book separately, including King George IV’s secret tunnel. The Regency-style garden is well maintained in an attempt to bring wildlife back to Brighton, with bee, butterflies, and birds. Each season presents a different set of flora and fauna, each just as beautiful as the other.
British Airways i360
Take a trip 450ft in the air in the British Airways i360 tower. The glass pod has 360-degree views across Brighton and Hove and stretching as far as the South Downs National Park. The in-flight crew are there to point out landmarks and answer any of your questions. There is also a bar in the pod so you can raise a glass at the top while spectating the views.
Places to eat
¨ The Chilli Pickle: Authentic Indian street food
¨ Donatello: Family-run Italian restaurant
¨ Harby’s Bar and Diner: Make sure to the funfair themed afternoon tea
¨ The Ivy in The Lanes: Modern British cuisine
¨ The Cricketers: Traditional British pub
¨ Fish and Chips: You can’t go to Brighton and not have a classic fish and chips sitting on the beach
Seasonal activities
Pride festival
If you’re lucky enough to be in Brighton on the weekend of pride, usually the first week in August, this festival is definitely one you can’t miss. Brighton pride weekend is “widely acknowledged as one of the best international pride festivals”. Locals and tourists flood the streets to partake in the many number of events on offer, a parade through the city centre, a festival in Preston Park, and other parties.
Ice rink
Named ‘the south east’s most beautiful open-air ice rink’, the Royal Pavilion ice rink is a must do activity around the Christmas period. The rink allows up to 250 skaters at a time with penguin stabilisers for less confident skaters. If you’re not keen on skating yourself, or want to extend your evening after your skate, cosy up in the rink-side bar and restaurant with a mulled wine. The perfect Christmas outing.
Wherever you decide to spend your day in Brighton, make sure to buy a stick of traditional Brighton Rock to take home with you!
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