Local Guidebook
Pubs
Recommended pubs within a 15 minute walk, plus a few central Brighton recommendations and a couple more worth a drive out into the countryside.
A great local pub, just round the corner. Family and dog friendly and does really lovely food, including fabulous Sunday lunches (served until 8pm - pre-booking advised though). Lovely atmosphere for a quiet drink. Lots of tables outside in the sunshine plus a terrace at the back with booths and patio heating.
39 locals recommend
Preston Park Tavern
88 Havelock RoadA great local pub, just round the corner. Family and dog friendly and does really lovely food, including fabulous Sunday lunches (served until 8pm - pre-booking advised though). Lovely atmosphere for a quiet drink. Lots of tables outside in the sunshine plus a terrace at the back with booths and patio heating.
Close by with a great outdoor terrace for drinks - but there are better places if you want to eat. Very dog friendly.
34 locals recommend
The Park View
71 Preston DroveClose by with a great outdoor terrace for drinks - but there are better places if you want to eat. Very dog friendly.
Incredibly child-friendly family gastropub less than five minutes walk away. Very highly regarded for its Sunday lunches (need to pre-book) and excellent food generally. Some of the outdoor tables are covered for rainy days. Occasionally screens big sport events. Dog friendly.
14 locals recommend
The Cleveland Arms
Cleveland RoadIncredibly child-friendly family gastropub less than five minutes walk away. Very highly regarded for its Sunday lunches (need to pre-book) and excellent food generally. Some of the outdoor tables are covered for rainy days. Occasionally screens big sport events. Dog friendly.
Great outdoors pub with fantastic garden featuring booths and outdoor heaters. A five minute walk from Blakers Park. Dog friendly.
54 locals recommend
The Open House
146 Springfield RdGreat outdoors pub with fantastic garden featuring booths and outdoor heaters. A five minute walk from Blakers Park. Dog friendly.
Real fire and real ales - cosy friendly pub, best in winter. Five minute walk from Blaker's Park. Dog friendly.
31 locals recommend
Signalman
76 Ditchling RiseReal fire and real ales - cosy friendly pub, best in winter. Five minute walk from Blaker's Park. Dog friendly.
Voted Best Brighton Pub Food, a ten minute walk down the hill towards town. Serves award winning New York-style fried chicken.
37 locals recommend
Tesco Brighton St James's Express
5 Jubilee StVoted Best Brighton Pub Food, a ten minute walk down the hill towards town. Serves award winning New York-style fried chicken.
Good place to get started if you're walking into town on a night out. Serves decent Mexican food. At Preston Circus down the hill, a 10-15 minute walk.
48 locals recommend
The Hare and Hounds
75 London RdGood place to get started if you're walking into town on a night out. Serves decent Mexican food. At Preston Circus down the hill, a 10-15 minute walk.
This is a great cross between a bar and a restaurant, really airy and stylish and always popular for lazy weekends with its all-day breakfasts. Especially good place to eat out if you have a dog in tow! A 15-minute walk on the way into town on London Road.
17 locals recommend
Alcampo Lounge
84-86 London RdThis is a great cross between a bar and a restaurant, really airy and stylish and always popular for lazy weekends with its all-day breakfasts. Especially good place to eat out if you have a dog in tow! A 15-minute walk on the way into town on London Road.
Small pub in the North Laine that's a bit hidden away and usually a good place for a quiet drink. Approximately 20 minutes walk from the flat.
23 locals recommend
The Foundry
13-14 Foundry StreetSmall pub in the North Laine that's a bit hidden away and usually a good place for a quiet drink. Approximately 20 minutes walk from the flat.
Good pub if you're near the main train station. Live music at weekends.
16 locals recommend
The West Hill Tavern
67 Buckingham PlGood pub if you're near the main train station. Live music at weekends.
Labyrinth of a pub with lots of nooks and crannies and a restaurant. A central pub just off the seafront that's always buzzing at weekends.
24 locals recommend
The Walrus
10 Ship StLabyrinth of a pub with lots of nooks and crannies and a restaurant. A central pub just off the seafront that's always buzzing at weekends.
A 20 minute drive out on the A27 past Lewes, but worth it - an especially great winter pub and brilliant Sunday roasts - for which you definitely need to pre-book!
50 locals recommend
The Ram Inn
The StreetA 20 minute drive out on the A27 past Lewes, but worth it - an especially great winter pub and brilliant Sunday roasts - for which you definitely need to pre-book!
Absolutely my favourite Sussex country pub. The village of Wineham is a 20 minute drive from the flat and it's home to the perfect old English village pub. The place is full of character, the Sunday lunches fantastic (pre-book!), the roaring log fire hard to tear yourself away from and the locals always friendly. Great walks nearby. Great summer and winter. Dogs very welcome.
10 locals recommend
The Royal Oak Wineham
Wineham LaneAbsolutely my favourite Sussex country pub. The village of Wineham is a 20 minute drive from the flat and it's home to the perfect old English village pub. The place is full of character, the Sunday lunches fantastic (pre-book!), the roaring log fire hard to tear yourself away from and the locals always friendly. Great walks nearby. Great summer and winter. Dogs very welcome.
The Plotting Parlour
6 Steine StGreat spot for cocktails in Kemp Town
Ten Green Bottles
9 Jubilee StCivilised wine drinking and nibbles
Bohemia Brighton
54-55 Meeting House LnLate night bar in the Lanes with jazz and roof terrace
Cafes and Restaurants
Some local gems plus a few of the city's recommended hotspots.
Great little coffee shop a few minutes up the street. Serves up mostly vegetarian food and lovely coffee. Dog friendly!
14 locals recommend
Tilt
132 Preston DroveGreat little coffee shop a few minutes up the street. Serves up mostly vegetarian food and lovely coffee. Dog friendly!
Great late-opening coffee shop next to the Duke of York's cinema at Preston Circus.
7 locals recommend
Moes@thecircus
1 Clyde RdGreat late-opening coffee shop next to the Duke of York's cinema at Preston Circus.
Cafe Rust Brighton
50 Preston RdA 10-minute walk on Preston Road, brunch...great decor.
Metrodeco
38 Upper St James's StLovely spot in Kemp Town for afternoon tea
Tiny family run restaurant serving authentic Sicilian food - Fri and Sat nights only, by reservation.
12 locals recommend
Mediterraneo
164 Portland RoadTiny family run restaurant serving authentic Sicilian food - Fri and Sat nights only, by reservation.
The Paradiso Social
38 Preston RdSemolina
15 Baker StLovely intimate restaurant just off London Road
Plateau
1 BartholomewsMy favourite Brighton restaurant
The Chilli Pickle
17 Jubilee StIndian food to write home about
New place in the Lanes from the team behind the brilliant Ginger group of restaurants and gastropubs, all of which guarantee top notch food and service. (Gingerman; Ginger Pig; Ginger Fox). You can't book at the Flint House, so handy for a last minute decision.
38 locals recommend
The Flint House
13 Hanningtons LnNew place in the Lanes from the team behind the brilliant Ginger group of restaurants and gastropubs, all of which guarantee top notch food and service. (Gingerman; Ginger Pig; Ginger Fox). You can't book at the Flint House, so handy for a last minute decision.
etch. by Steven Edwards
216 Church RdThe Little Fish Market
10 Upper Market StreetOften rated the best restaurant in Brighton by locals.
The Salt Room
106 Kings Rd64 Degrees
53 Meeting House Lnmascara
101 Western RdFriendly service and a great lamb tagine
New hotspot in town - lovely decor and worth trip for a special occasion
88 locals recommend
The Ivy In The Lanes
51A Ship StNew hotspot in town - lovely decor and worth trip for a special occasion
Visiting with a Dog?
The Pet Shed (Brighton) Ltd
100 Preston DroveIndependent pet shop at the end of my street has most of what you need
Pets Corner
227-233 Preston RdAnother good amenity next to the Sainsburys Local at Preston Park. Also does grooming.
Check out this website for its amazing handmade leads and collars. She is based in the next street so you might be able to save on postage!
Scrufts Dog Collars
39 Havelock RdCheck out this website for its amazing handmade leads and collars. She is based in the next street so you might be able to save on postage!
The vet I use - friendly, reasonably priced and barely a ten minute walk away.
Beech House Vet Clinic
35 Harrington RdThe vet I use - friendly, reasonably priced and barely a ten minute walk away.
Grove Lodge Vets (Brighton)
104 Preston DroveHandy vet at the end of the street
This is one of two great cafes in Preston Park itself - the Chalet Cafe (the smaller one) serves doggy icecream.
Chalet Café
Preston Park AvenueThis is one of two great cafes in Preston Park itself - the Chalet Cafe (the smaller one) serves doggy icecream.
Brilliant local park with open space, wooded areas, a walled garden and refreshments including dog icecream available. Dogs are free to access all areas (on leads inside the two cafes) and the park is big enough to satisfy both dogs wanting four-legged playmates and those who prefer more solitary exercise.
94 locals recommend
Preston Park
Preston RoadBrilliant local park with open space, wooded areas, a walled garden and refreshments including dog icecream available. Dogs are free to access all areas (on leads inside the two cafes) and the park is big enough to satisfy both dogs wanting four-legged playmates and those who prefer more solitary exercise.
A nice but small park five minutes stroll down neighbouring Lucerne Road - good for a quick walk.
11 locals recommend
Blakers Park
30 Cleveland RdA nice but small park five minutes stroll down neighbouring Lucerne Road - good for a quick walk.
Hollingbury Park Golf Course
Ditchling RoadPopular with local dog walkers
Known locally as 'the puppy park', this is a great place to bring your dog if you're worried he might wander. The actual 'puppy park' is a large fenced area where dogs are safe to roam. It's surrounded by woods which also provide lovely walks.
7 locals recommend
Withdean Park
36 Peacock LnKnown locally as 'the puppy park', this is a great place to bring your dog if you're worried he might wander. The actual 'puppy park' is a large fenced area where dogs are safe to roam. It's surrounded by woods which also provide lovely walks.
A ten minute drive and you are at the entrance point to one of the most beautiful stretches of the South Downs Way.
84 locals recommend
Ditchling Beacon Car Park
A ten minute drive and you are at the entrance point to one of the most beautiful stretches of the South Downs Way.
They do doggy Sunday roasts! And as a bonus it's a lovely friendly pub with great food for humans also! Book ahead on Sundays as it gets busy.
51 locals recommend
THE FREEMASONS
39 Western RdThey do doggy Sunday roasts! And as a bonus it's a lovely friendly pub with great food for humans also! Book ahead on Sundays as it gets busy.
Useful local amenities
The closest shops, supermarkets and local amenities
Late opening off license with a good variety of wines, beers and spirits. Also home to the nearest ATM.
Preston Park Wines
101B Preston DroveLate opening off license with a good variety of wines, beers and spirits. Also home to the nearest ATM.
High Life Food Market
101 Havelock RdMy nearest shop and newsagents, open until 10 (11pm weekends).
Preston Foods
108 Preston DroveOpen til 11pm, good little supermarket a couple of minutes walk away on Preston Drove.
Choice Cuts
95 Preston DroveHandy local butcher and deli at the end of the street
Kamsons Pharmacy
1a Lewes RdChemist open until 6pm at end of the street
Hollingbury Post Office
148 Preston DroveThe nearest Post Office is on Preston Drove at Fiveways
Quaff Wine Brighton
5 Ditchling RdIndependent wine store at Fiveways
FIVEWAYS FRUITS
306 Ditchling RdGreat local fruit and veg shop at Fiveways
Five Ways Deli
Ditchling RoadThe Flour Pot Bakery
40 Sydney StRaven's Bakery
277 Ditchling RdBrilliant local bakers - cash only
Sainsbury's Local
227-233 Preston RdSightseeing
Historic house in Preston Park furnished in Edwardian style and open to the public.
21 locals recommend
Preston Manor
Preston DroveHistoric house in Preston Park furnished in Edwardian style and open to the public.
Lovely arthouse one-screen cinema down the hill at Preston Circus. The oldest cinema in Britain in continuous use, in 2012 it was voted the best cinema in the UK. Treat yourself to cake, wine and a comfy spot on one of the balcony sofas.
207 locals recommend
Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton
Preston RoadLovely arthouse one-screen cinema down the hill at Preston Circus. The oldest cinema in Britain in continuous use, in 2012 it was voted the best cinema in the UK. Treat yourself to cake, wine and a comfy spot on one of the balcony sofas.
Firle Place
Firle PlaceGorgeous historic country house. Check for opening times.
Clubs
The crowd in this place (just down from the station) tends to be a good mix and it's usually busy and free to get in.
70 locals recommend
Green Door Store
4 Trafalgar ArchesThe crowd in this place (just down from the station) tends to be a good mix and it's usually busy and free to get in.
This pub on the seafront (and The Tempest next door) are usually buzzing in the summer with free entrance and late night music.
29 locals recommend
Fortune Of War
156 Kings RdThis pub on the seafront (and The Tempest next door) are usually buzzing in the summer with free entrance and late night music.
Regular comedy club here every Sunday night, which is usually good value
280 locals recommend
Komedia Brighton
44-47 Gardner StRegular comedy club here every Sunday night, which is usually good value
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Dog friendly places.
Pretty much all pubs in Brighton, and some cafes, are dog friendly. But if in doubt, ask.
Traveling with kids
Some ideas for visitors with children
There are a couple of good playparks nearby: one at Blakers Park and what I've been told is a really good one in Preston Park.
Try the aquarium on the seafront (Sea Life Centre); the Volks electric railway, which runs along the beach to the Marina; and the toy museum.
Worth a drive is Drusillas Park near Alfriston as is Washbrooks Family Farm.
The Painting Pottery Cafe in town is popular
For older kids there's a bowling alley at Brighton Marina.
Don't miss
The countryside around Brighton is stunning.
Five minutes drive from the apartment and you are in the South Downs National Park, which is perfect for hiking or just a breath of fresh air.
Try parking up at Ditchling Beacon or Clayton Windmill for access to the scenic South Downs Way.
You can get a bus (the 77) from the Palace Pier to Devil's Dyke, a popular daytrip to the Downs; or take the number 79 from Fiveways to Ditchling Beacon.
Or try The Anchor Inn at Barcombe Mills, where you can hire a small rowing boat.
Middle Farm just past Lewes on the A27 brews a huge selection of ciders and perries, which you can taste before buying.
Getting around
Brighton buses and most local taxis now accept contactless payment
Brighton and Hove buses and most local taxis now accept contactless payment.
Tickets can be purchased direct from the bus driver, although pre or online purchase is slightly cheaper.
Saver tickets are available - more details in the House Manual.