My Guidebook for Brighton and Hove

Caroline
My Guidebook for Brighton and Hove

Local Pubs

One of our favourites, this corner gastropub has outside terrace seats and a really tasty menu including shellfish and other yummy things, mostly fish. Great staff & atmosphere, crafts beers etc.
126 locals recommend
The Urchin
15-17 Belfast St
126 locals recommend
One of our favourites, this corner gastropub has outside terrace seats and a really tasty menu including shellfish and other yummy things, mostly fish. Great staff & atmosphere, crafts beers etc.
If you're after seriously good food, lovely wines and fabulous ales, enjoyed in warm and welcoming surroundings, then this pub is for you.
67 locals recommend
The Better Half Pub
1 Hove Pl
67 locals recommend
If you're after seriously good food, lovely wines and fabulous ales, enjoyed in warm and welcoming surroundings, then this pub is for you.
Lovely cocktail bar & café/restaurant, all-day eating. Lovely setting with nice seating areas and great cocktails, can sit outside too which is bonus.
31 locals recommend
Hixon Green
124 Church Rd
31 locals recommend
Lovely cocktail bar & café/restaurant, all-day eating. Lovely setting with nice seating areas and great cocktails, can sit outside too which is bonus.
Small independent pub with dark wood interior serving locally sourced free range meat, game and dairy produce, highly rated dishes and friendly staff.
47 locals recommend
The Connaught Pub & Kitchen
48 Hove St
47 locals recommend
Small independent pub with dark wood interior serving locally sourced free range meat, game and dairy produce, highly rated dishes and friendly staff.
Nice garden - inside wood-panelled mix of old and new pub serving bistro dishes and pub classics.
81 locals recommend
Hove Place
37 First Ave
81 locals recommend
Nice garden - inside wood-panelled mix of old and new pub serving bistro dishes and pub classics.
A traditional pub atmosphere, welcoming staff and modern decor, great food and ale and plenty of events. Fab Sunday roasts and lots of outdoor seating too aswell as kids play area.
34 locals recommend
The George Payne Pub
18 Payne Ave
34 locals recommend
A traditional pub atmosphere, welcoming staff and modern decor, great food and ale and plenty of events. Fab Sunday roasts and lots of outdoor seating too aswell as kids play area.

Parks & Nature

Hove Park is popular with local residents, dog walkers and runners. The park covers almost 40 acres and features a mix of large areas of open grass, mature trees, flower beds and recreational facilities. It has a lovely cafe for coffee/ice cream or lunches. Great for kids as playground or to scoot around on the extensive path ways. There are also football pitches, tennis courts a basketball court and adult gym equipment. At the eastern edge of the Park is the ‘Fingermaze’, a piece of public sculpture carved into the park and lined with stone and lime mortar. The Fingermaze is a giant fingerprint which incorporates a Cretan labyrinth within its whirling design.
Hove Park Gardens
Hove Park Gardens
Hove Park is popular with local residents, dog walkers and runners. The park covers almost 40 acres and features a mix of large areas of open grass, mature trees, flower beds and recreational facilities. It has a lovely cafe for coffee/ice cream or lunches. Great for kids as playground or to scoot around on the extensive path ways. There are also football pitches, tennis courts a basketball court and adult gym equipment. At the eastern edge of the Park is the ‘Fingermaze’, a piece of public sculpture carved into the park and lined with stone and lime mortar. The Fingermaze is a giant fingerprint which incorporates a Cretan labyrinth within its whirling design.
St Ann's Well Gardens, not far from Hove seafront, is a treat for the tree-lover and will appeal to young and old alike. There is a wide range of native and exotic trees giving the gardens their unique character and providing shelter and tranquillity for wildlife. There is also a good children's playground, tennis courts and a cafe that is open 8-5 during the week and 9-5 at the weekends. Nature conservation is important in the park - there are designated fenced off areas, a scented garden for the visually impaired and a well stocked pond with a biological filter system. The Park Rangers work closely with local schools, providing an area that the children have designed themselves.
135 locals recommend
Saint Ann's Well Gardens
Somerhill Road
135 locals recommend
St Ann's Well Gardens, not far from Hove seafront, is a treat for the tree-lover and will appeal to young and old alike. There is a wide range of native and exotic trees giving the gardens their unique character and providing shelter and tranquillity for wildlife. There is also a good children's playground, tennis courts and a cafe that is open 8-5 during the week and 9-5 at the weekends. Nature conservation is important in the park - there are designated fenced off areas, a scented garden for the visually impaired and a well stocked pond with a biological filter system. The Park Rangers work closely with local schools, providing an area that the children have designed themselves.
Hove seafront begins at Hove Lawns and stretches right along to Hove Lagoon, near Portslade. There is a stunning walk along the seafront, especially just as the sun rises or sets, from the West Pier onwards. Hove Lawns provides a green space right next to the sea for families, friends and all to enjoy. For those looking for a sporty option, there are several tennis courts and bowling greens available to the public on a pay and play basis.
70 locals recommend
Lagoon Watersports
330 Kingsway
70 locals recommend
Hove seafront begins at Hove Lawns and stretches right along to Hove Lagoon, near Portslade. There is a stunning walk along the seafront, especially just as the sun rises or sets, from the West Pier onwards. Hove Lawns provides a green space right next to the sea for families, friends and all to enjoy. For those looking for a sporty option, there are several tennis courts and bowling greens available to the public on a pay and play basis.
With its beautiful woodland walks and extensive open lands, Stanmer Park is just as perfect for a family picnic as it is for a kick about with your friends or those looking for a bracing walk over the Downs. Situated next to Sussex University on the outskirts of the city, Stanmer is a perfect example of the vast open countryside available in Brighton and remains one of the city's most visited parks. Stanmer Park is home to a varied range of plant and wildlife. Birds that have been sighted in the park include buzzards, kestrels and owls and mammals such as foxes, badgers and deer are a common sight.
71 locals recommend
Stanmer Park station
71 locals recommend
With its beautiful woodland walks and extensive open lands, Stanmer Park is just as perfect for a family picnic as it is for a kick about with your friends or those looking for a bracing walk over the Downs. Situated next to Sussex University on the outskirts of the city, Stanmer is a perfect example of the vast open countryside available in Brighton and remains one of the city's most visited parks. Stanmer Park is home to a varied range of plant and wildlife. Birds that have been sighted in the park include buzzards, kestrels and owls and mammals such as foxes, badgers and deer are a common sight.
Stoneham Park is a valued community park. The park has two play areas: one has a sandpit and a new coloured mural on the wall and is particularly suited to younger children. The other play area is in the main body of the park and has larger climbing equipment, swings and slides. It also benefits from the Hive Café Community Centre which is a lovely vibe and great tasty home baked snacks/lunches. slides.
Stoneham Park, Poets Corner
2 Stoneham Rd
Stoneham Park is a valued community park. The park has two play areas: one has a sandpit and a new coloured mural on the wall and is particularly suited to younger children. The other play area is in the main body of the park and has larger climbing equipment, swings and slides. It also benefits from the Hive Café Community Centre which is a lovely vibe and great tasty home baked snacks/lunches. slides.

Entertainment & Activities

At the end of our road, Hove Lagoon is one of the countries leading watersports centres offering wakeboarding, sailing, windsurfing, Kayaking and Standup Paddleboarding on the Lagoon and the sea and well as the Big beach Cafe. Hove Lagoon also has a skateboard park, a playground, a kids paddle pool, kids play area, kids boating pool and a model boat club. Get in touch with Big Beach Cafe Lagoon Watersports - to avoid disappointment please book activities in advance.
100 locals recommend
Hove Lagoon
Kingsway
100 locals recommend
At the end of our road, Hove Lagoon is one of the countries leading watersports centres offering wakeboarding, sailing, windsurfing, Kayaking and Standup Paddleboarding on the Lagoon and the sea and well as the Big beach Cafe. Hove Lagoon also has a skateboard park, a playground, a kids paddle pool, kids play area, kids boating pool and a model boat club. Get in touch with Big Beach Cafe Lagoon Watersports - to avoid disappointment please book activities in advance.
The King Alfred Leisure Centre is the largest wet and dry sport centre in the city of Brighton and Hove and is situated on Hove sea front, a miles walk from here. Fun sessions available with slide & floats etc - small pool too for little ones. Soft play within leisure centre too for rainy days.
41 locals recommend
King Alfred Leisure Centre
Kingsway
41 locals recommend
The King Alfred Leisure Centre is the largest wet and dry sport centre in the city of Brighton and Hove and is situated on Hove sea front, a miles walk from here. Fun sessions available with slide & floats etc - small pool too for little ones. Soft play within leisure centre too for rainy days.
Splashpoint Leisure Centre has a six-lane, 25 metre pool, a combined learner/diving pool and an indoor leisure pool with flume and outdoor paddling pool. It's about a 15 minute drive from here along the coast road. A great place to relax and have fun! You can also grab a bite to eat within the Splashpoint cafe. IDEALLY YOU NEED TO BOOK THIS THE DAY BEFORE - sessions are for 2 hours. Lovely water front a few minutes walk from here with various restaurants and cafes, local artists shops and a playground.
38 locals recommend
Splashpoint Leisure Centre
60 Brighton Rd
38 locals recommend
Splashpoint Leisure Centre has a six-lane, 25 metre pool, a combined learner/diving pool and an indoor leisure pool with flume and outdoor paddling pool. It's about a 15 minute drive from here along the coast road. A great place to relax and have fun! You can also grab a bite to eat within the Splashpoint cafe. IDEALLY YOU NEED TO BOOK THIS THE DAY BEFORE - sessions are for 2 hours. Lovely water front a few minutes walk from here with various restaurants and cafes, local artists shops and a playground.
Brighton Marina centres on the busy yacht harbour, where sailboats moor at the quay. It’s a chic shopping hub with fashion boutiques, galleries, and craft shops, plus huge choice of places to eat with terraces overlooking the water. Volk’s Electric Railway, opened in 1883, shuttles between the marina and Brighton Pier. Charter boats offer fishing and diving trips, and the Brighton Walk of Fame honours stars with local links. There is also a Cineworld and Hollywood Bowl. An added bonus is free parking there ;0)
240 locals recommend
Brighton Marina
240 locals recommend
Brighton Marina centres on the busy yacht harbour, where sailboats moor at the quay. It’s a chic shopping hub with fashion boutiques, galleries, and craft shops, plus huge choice of places to eat with terraces overlooking the water. Volk’s Electric Railway, opened in 1883, shuttles between the marina and Brighton Pier. Charter boats offer fishing and diving trips, and the Brighton Walk of Fame honours stars with local links. There is also a Cineworld and Hollywood Bowl. An added bonus is free parking there ;0)
Based opposite the iconic pier, SEA LIFE Brighton was built in 1872 and features 5,500 mesmerising creatures including inquisitive rays and intelligent octopus - few sharks too and a lovely arch to walk through with all the fish swimming above you. Various events such as fish feeding times to watch and a show. Worth seeing if any deals on at the time as quite expensive but kids love it!
161 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Brighton
Marine Parade
161 locals recommend
Based opposite the iconic pier, SEA LIFE Brighton was built in 1872 and features 5,500 mesmerising creatures including inquisitive rays and intelligent octopus - few sharks too and a lovely arch to walk through with all the fish swimming above you. Various events such as fish feeding times to watch and a show. Worth seeing if any deals on at the time as quite expensive but kids love it!

Local Supermarkets/Essentials

85 locals recommend
Tesco Superstore
Church Road
85 locals recommend
43 locals recommend
ALDI
Carlton Terrace
43 locals recommend
41 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
27 New England St
41 locals recommend
Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales is a wholesale and retail fish outlet/shop based at the end of Saxon Rd (road running down to the seafront) to the right of Hove Lagoon. Huge choice of fresh fish, as well as live lobsters and crabs - deli sauces etc - wouldn't buy fish from anywhere else! Worth a look if you're down that way...... Best known for their high quality, day caught local fish and shellfish direct from their fleet of inshore fishing boats, as well as the finest quality fish (wild and farmed) from around the UK and further afield allowing them to maintain consistent supply even during periods of poor weather or when certain species are out of season locally.
11 locals recommend
Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales
Basin Road South
11 locals recommend
Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales is a wholesale and retail fish outlet/shop based at the end of Saxon Rd (road running down to the seafront) to the right of Hove Lagoon. Huge choice of fresh fish, as well as live lobsters and crabs - deli sauces etc - wouldn't buy fish from anywhere else! Worth a look if you're down that way...... Best known for their high quality, day caught local fish and shellfish direct from their fleet of inshore fishing boats, as well as the finest quality fish (wild and farmed) from around the UK and further afield allowing them to maintain consistent supply even during periods of poor weather or when certain species are out of season locally.
Local health food shop and grocers with great selection of organic food, fresh fruit & veg, fresh artisian bread, chilled frozen food, whole foods & toiletries. Lovely staff too! On Richardson Road, 10 minute walk from here.
6 locals recommend
Gratitude Tree Grocers
6 locals recommend
Local health food shop and grocers with great selection of organic food, fresh fruit & veg, fresh artisian bread, chilled frozen food, whole foods & toiletries. Lovely staff too! On Richardson Road, 10 minute walk from here.

Sightseeing

The Royal Pavilion is the city’s must-see attraction. The glittering party pad and palace of Prince George, later Prince Regent and then King George IV, it’s one of the most opulent buildings in England, and certainly the finest example of early 19th-century chinoiserie anywhere in Europe. It’s an apt symbol of Brighton’s reputation for decadence. An unimpressed Queen Victoria called the Royal Pavilion ‘a strange, odd Chinese place’, but for visitors to Brighton it’s an unmissable chunk of Sussex history.
495 locals recommend
Royal Pavilion
495 locals recommend
The Royal Pavilion is the city’s must-see attraction. The glittering party pad and palace of Prince George, later Prince Regent and then King George IV, it’s one of the most opulent buildings in England, and certainly the finest example of early 19th-century chinoiserie anywhere in Europe. It’s an apt symbol of Brighton’s reputation for decadence. An unimpressed Queen Victoria called the Royal Pavilion ‘a strange, odd Chinese place’, but for visitors to Brighton it’s an unmissable chunk of Sussex history.
Take to the skies to see Brighton and the beautiful South Coast as you have never seen them before. Glide up gently to 138 metres in our futuristic glass viewing pod, conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye. Visitors can admire 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and, on the clearest days, all the way to the Isle of Wight. Guests can also enjoy the Nyetimber Sky Bar, the West Beach Bar & Kitchen, the West Pier Tea Room, an exhibition on how BAi360 was built and a shop with a range of products inspired by the design, innovation and craftsmanship of British Airways i360 and its seafront setting. For thrill-seekers, iDrop Abseil is the most
566 locals recommend
British Airways i360
566 locals recommend
Take to the skies to see Brighton and the beautiful South Coast as you have never seen them before. Glide up gently to 138 metres in our futuristic glass viewing pod, conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye. Visitors can admire 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and, on the clearest days, all the way to the Isle of Wight. Guests can also enjoy the Nyetimber Sky Bar, the West Beach Bar & Kitchen, the West Pier Tea Room, an exhibition on how BAi360 was built and a shop with a range of products inspired by the design, innovation and craftsmanship of British Airways i360 and its seafront setting. For thrill-seekers, iDrop Abseil is the most
Ditchling Beacon is the second highest point on the South Downs National Park with spectacular views across the Weald. As the name suggests, Ditchling Beacon was one of the chain of fires lit to warn of impending invasions. It was once an Iron Age hillfort, with its steep northern slope used as a natural defence. With its walking trails and long views over the downs, Ditchling Beacon is as good for the experienced rambler as it is for a family picnic. There are no facilities available on site (except for an ice-cream van in the summer months) and due to its open nature, it can get quite windy, so wrap up if necessary.
Ditchling Beacon station
Ditchling Beacon is the second highest point on the South Downs National Park with spectacular views across the Weald. As the name suggests, Ditchling Beacon was one of the chain of fires lit to warn of impending invasions. It was once an Iron Age hillfort, with its steep northern slope used as a natural defence. With its walking trails and long views over the downs, Ditchling Beacon is as good for the experienced rambler as it is for a family picnic. There are no facilities available on site (except for an ice-cream van in the summer months) and due to its open nature, it can get quite windy, so wrap up if necessary.

Shopping

This area is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Famous for being different, definitely worth some time to mooch around and plenty of choice for places to eat, have coffee or go for a drink.
439 locals recommend
The Lanes
439 locals recommend
This area is home to an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Famous for being different, definitely worth some time to mooch around and plenty of choice for places to eat, have coffee or go for a drink.
With an excellent selection of 80 stores, Churchill Square is the destination for busy shoppers looking for great retail stores or somewhere to relax. ...
236 locals recommend
Churchill Square Shopping Centre
Russell Place
236 locals recommend
With an excellent selection of 80 stores, Churchill Square is the destination for busy shoppers looking for great retail stores or somewhere to relax. ...

Local Cafes

Located on Richardson Road, just a few minutes walk from here. Great quality and value - locally sourced produce. A range of hot & cold food, sandwiches, tea's, coffees, cakes and more! Nice to sit outside if sunny and great little street too.
19 locals recommend
Drury Tea & Coffee Southern
12-18 Richardson Rd
19 locals recommend
Located on Richardson Road, just a few minutes walk from here. Great quality and value - locally sourced produce. A range of hot & cold food, sandwiches, tea's, coffees, cakes and more! Nice to sit outside if sunny and great little street too.
Within 12 minutes walking distance on Portland Rd relatively new but great light and airy corner cafe with fab coffee, pastries, fresh bread etc and joined onto back is a lovely florist.
22 locals recommend
The Flour Pot Bakery - Portland Rd
121 Portland Rd
22 locals recommend
Within 12 minutes walking distance on Portland Rd relatively new but great light and airy corner cafe with fab coffee, pastries, fresh bread etc and joined onto back is a lovely florist.
Baked has been selected for the 2017 Certificate of Excellence, reflecting the consistently great reviews they've earned on TripAdvisor. Hove cafe selling locally sourced, fresh, homemade cakes, sandwiches, quiche, salad, breakfast, lunch and tea.
60 locals recommend
Baked
69 Church Rd
60 locals recommend
Baked has been selected for the 2017 Certificate of Excellence, reflecting the consistently great reviews they've earned on TripAdvisor. Hove cafe selling locally sourced, fresh, homemade cakes, sandwiches, quiche, salad, breakfast, lunch and tea.
Excellent coffee, relaxed cosy atmosphere and friendly staff. About a 12 minute walk from here - tiny café/speciality (organic, ethically traded coffee) coffee shop in the heart of Poets corner, also serving a selection of cakes, pastries and light bites and a selection of craft chocolate.
12 locals recommend
44 Poets
44 Rutland Rd
12 locals recommend
Excellent coffee, relaxed cosy atmosphere and friendly staff. About a 12 minute walk from here - tiny café/speciality (organic, ethically traded coffee) coffee shop in the heart of Poets corner, also serving a selection of cakes, pastries and light bites and a selection of craft chocolate.
A little gem on George Street, a 20 minute walk from here, unpretentious, delicious, generous portions at affordable prices. Excellent coffee, offering breakfast, brunch and lunches. Very friendly and welcoming staff and owners. Can sit indoor or outdoor also an upstairs seating area.
Caffe Bar Italia
24 George St
A little gem on George Street, a 20 minute walk from here, unpretentious, delicious, generous portions at affordable prices. Excellent coffee, offering breakfast, brunch and lunches. Very friendly and welcoming staff and owners. Can sit indoor or outdoor also an upstairs seating area.