Brighton Travel Guide
Welcome to our Brighton Guide. Vibrant, lively and colourful, Brighton is a fabulous cosmopolitan city that commands a magnificent location on the stunning south coast of England. With golden beaches, a bustling centre and a beautiful backdrop of the glorious South Downs, Brighton has something to entice all visitors. What&rsquos more, with an array of attractions, shops, fine restaurants, landmarks and scenic areas Brighton is perfect for sightseeing, romantic getaways and family holidays alike.<br /><br />Our Brighton Guide is crammed full of information, from travel tips to finding the perfect restaurant, and more importantly all the great things to do in the area. From the stunning heritage of the Royal Pavilion, Regency architecture and Victorian aquariums such as SEALIFE Brighton, to the traditional seaside fun of the famous Brighton Pier and pebble beach, Brighton offers something for everyone.<br /><br />The same can be said for Brighton&rsquos nightlife too. Whether you're looking for a quick drink with friends before hitting a club, a relaxed pub lunch, some traditional Sussex real ale, or a bottle of wine and a good pub quiz, Brighton pubs and bars are the top choice.<br /><br />Also remember to keep an eye on our reason&rsquos to visit section so you don&rsquot miss out on any of the great Brighton events taking place throughout the year.<br /><br />We hope that you find our Brighton Guide a useful resource when <a href="http://www.superbreak.com/brighton-hotels-BS2.htm">planning your trip </a>&ndash have a great break! <span>Just like cycling, walking around the streets of Brighton means you don&rsquot miss any of the wonderful highlights that this city has to offer. The majority of the attractions and locations to visit are around the centre, meaning exploring on foot is easy and doesn&rsquot cost a penny. The brisk seaside air is also worth the stroll along the promenade. </span> The vibrant seaside destination of Brighton is easily accessible whether you&rsquore travelling by rail, road or air, making it the perfect destination for your short break in the south. Brighton and London are connected by an excellent rail link meaning you can travel from one destination to the other in under an hour. Brighton & Hove is a compact city so it's easy to explore. If you&rsquore using the public transport, Brighton&rsquos bus systems are award winning thanks to their frequent and efficient services, and give visitors the best chance to see as much as they can during their stay. Saver bus tickets are available for those who intend to use the services often, cycle hire points are placed all around the city for anyone wanting to take on Brighton on two wheels, and for those visitors who want to enjoy Brighton at their own pace, there&rsquos nothing better than a gentle stroll along the coast. It&rsquos cheap and easy to get around Brighton, perfect for a seaside short break. If you love shopping, you&rsquoll love a short break in Brighton. Funky fashion stores, chic boutiques, exclusive antiques, tempting jewellery, inspirational art and much more awaits you for some brilliant retail therapy. From the lifestyle shops of The Lanes to the unique shops of Hove, the retro chic of the North Lane to the big-name stores of Churchill Square and Brighton Marina, shopping in Brighton really is retail paradise. Brighton&rsquos hidden gem is the She Said Lingerie store, filled with stunning corsets, hosiery, shoes, books, art and gifts, it&rsquos great place to treat yourself to something fancy. Consistently topping awards at the Observer Food Awards, whether you&rsquore after award winning cuisine, veggie treats, a tasty beachfront brunch or delicious cheap eats, Brighton is bursting at the seams with every type of international cuisine on the menu. From popular chain restaurants to unique, one-off eateries, whatever your taste in food Brighton is guaranteed to have something you&rsquoll love. One restaurant not to miss is Terre a Terre, an award winning gourmet vegetarian restaurant in The Lanes. A culinary experience like no other, with intense flavours, sublime textures and a combination of ingredients that few have the imagination or daring to put together, this restaurant should definitely be on your &lsquoto-do&rsquo list whilst in the city. Brighton has always been known as a musical city, which has influenced everyone from the Who to the Kooks. Landmark moments in pop history have taken place here including Abba winning the Eurovision Song Contest, and with some of the coolest clubs on the south coast, the nightlife in Brighton offers everything from bubble-gum pop to Latin beats. From West End plays and top notch comedies to musicals and spectacular Christmas pantos, Brighton&rsquos theatre scene offers the best theatrical line-up along the south coast. The arts are also really popular in Brighton, with its unique and diverse population of artists, photographers, dancers and actors, it&rsquos one of the most creative cities in the UK. Whatever you like to do in your evenings, there are plenty of options in Brighton. Whether its pre-show drinks or cocktail hour, wine bar chic or real ale revelry, if you visited a Brighton pub every day for a year, you'd still have some Brighton pubs to spare. Vibrant and trendy, laid back and cosy, there are some great pubs and bars in Brighton and Hove. From the uber funky to the more traditional, bars and pubs in Brighton are bursting with designer décor, fine wines, real ales, hearty pub food and live music. Brighton is overflowing with places to visit, and being such a compact city, most places to visit in Brighton and Hove are walkable too. Experience the heritage of the Royal Pavilion, indulge in the seaside fun of Brighton Pier and the Sea Life Centre or don your cultural hat for a visit to Brighton and Hove Museums. And if you fancy wandering out of the city centre, Brighton Marina is only a short walk or bus ride away. A unique mix of heritage, culture and cosmopolitan fun, Brighton attractions cater for all tastes and budgets. Getting to Brighton is easy! It is just under an hour from London by rail and only 45 minutes from the M25. From Brighton Rail Station there are regular and direct trains to both London Victoria and London Bridge which take less than an hour. Brighton is also on a direct rail link from the Eurostar Service at St Pancras The most direct route from the North to Brighton is via the M25 London Orbital Motorway leading to the M23 which turns into the A23, going straight into the centre. From the South East and South West the centre is best reached via the A27 Gatwick Airport is just a 30 minute drive from Brighton and easily accessible via the A23/M23. There is also a direct train service from Brighton to Gatwick Airport and regular coach and bus services. As well as having a convenient and reliable bus service around the centre and outskirts of the town, Brighton also has 3 Breeze up to the Downs buses. This service takes people out of the city and tours some of the beauty spots in the surrounding countryside. With a cycle route running along the beachfront, off road tracks in the Sussex Downs, cycling is a great way to explore Brighton. There are multiple hire shops in the town or you can contact M&rsquos Cycle Hire who will deliver a bike to your hotel in Brighton. Brighton is so compact, that once you&rsquore there, you might find it easiest to explore the city on foot. But whatever you decide, travel in Brighton is easy. You should find the information in the sections below helpful. City Cabs, City Cars and Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs are the 3 main taxi companies servicing Brighton. These cabs can be booked or found on one of the main taxi ranks at Queen&rsquos Square, Hove Town Hall and East Street. Head to Komedia for dining & live entertainmentEnjoy the fun of the fair at Brighton PierSample a cocktail in one of the many styli
sh barsVisit SEALIFE Brighton, the oldest operating aquarium in the world<span>Take in a play at the Grade II listed, </span><a>Theatre Royal</a>Go shopping in The Lanes, full of quirky boutiquesBrighton is well served by airports thanks to its close proximity to London you can catch flights into GatwickAirport from virtually anywhere in the world. Regular coach and bus services run from Gatwick Airport into the centre of Brighton and driving between the two destinations takes roughly 30 minutes. For those who prefer to travel by rail there&rsquos also a direct train service. The principal route from London and Gatwick Airport into Brighton is the A23. The A27 runs along the coastline so it&rsquos ideal for those who want to take the scenic route. Once you arrive in the seaside town of Brighton you will find numerous car parks in the city centre which charge approximately £1.50 per hour. Brighton is well connected to London via excellent rail links and you can travel from London Victoria to Brighton in just under an hour. The city is well connected to nearby airports as it is on a direct line to Gatwick and Luton Airports. The main train service providers are Southern and First Capital Connect and you can also catch trains to Brighton from Hastings, Lewes, Portsmouth and Chichester <span>A beautiful, traditional seaside town, Brighton is a wonderful place to visit. Hiring a bike is a great way to get around as the city lots of wide, cycle lanes across the seafront and even out into the South Downs countryside meaning you can enjoy as much of the picturesque views as possible. Take your own bike along or hire one from any of the many hire shops dotted around Brighton for around £10 a day.</span> Because Brighton is so compact, travelling around by bus is a great option if there are a few things you want to see in one day. Hop on one of the many bus routes and buy a Saver ticket for unlimited travel for the whole day which only cost £3.20pp and weekly savers are also available if you&rsquore staying a little longer, only costing £15. If you want to stay out a little later on a night time, the N7 and N25 night buses only cost £3.00. Top 5 Boutique Shops in Brighton Top 5 Specialist Shops in Brighton Top 5 Restaurants for a Special Occasion Top 5 Family Restaurants Baroque has a team of bespoke jewellers creating unique one-off pieces and high end affordable chic in platinum, palladium, 18ct gold and silver Riddle & Finns, something of a household name as a champagne and oyster bar, has spectacular views of the beachfront and the best seafood in town. Brighton Dome is part of the refurbished historic Pavilion Estate and hosts a packed, year round programme of live music, dance, theatre, comedy and family events. Settled just off the seafront, Latest Music Bar has seen performances from top acts like Amy Winehouse and the Maccabees and continues to programme exciting new music every night of the week. The Royal Pavilion in Brighton is one of the most dazzling and exotic buildings in the British Isles, great for those souvenir photographs. Buon Appetito is a family run Italian restaurant just off Palmeira Square, with great flavours and real authenticity. Papillon is a relaxed Parisian style boutique selling an eclectic range of home ware and gifts from around the world Frames in the Lanes boutique opticians offer a fabulous range of glasses and sunglasses for those who are fashion minded. Giraffe lets guests enjoy a food safari and sample some of the most popular dishes from around the world. This purpose built entertainment and conference centre has long attracted A-List acts from the worlds of music and comedy. Marlborough Pub & Theatre is located in one of the city&rsquos oldest public houses dating back to 1794. The intimate 60-seater theatre has a cosy atmosphere and traditional bar. The Lanes and North Laine are ideal for a spot of retail therapy ranging from the designer boutiques to bohemian quirkiness. Pinocchio is an Italian restaurant in the Cultural Quarter, ideal spot for a pre-theatre dinner or a late evening meal. La Cave a Fromage offers a magnificent selection of mainly French and English cheeses for you to taste and buy. Gresham Blake is a contemporary designer-tailor, specialising in bespoke, made to measure and ready to wear suits for men & women. Indian Summer is an exceptional, authentic Indian restaurant in the heart of the Lanes, great for a special occasion meal Every year there are around 700 performances of music, comedy, cabaret and theatre and most nights of the week there are at least two shows to choose from at this hilarious venue. The Pub du Vin comes from the award-winning Hotel du Vin serving local ales and wine as well as delicious food. Brighton Wheel gives visitors a bird's eye view of the city, taking you 50 metres about sea level so you can enjoy the beauty below. The Hove Kitchen provides home cooked, fresh, modern, European style, locally sourced food in a family friendly restaurant. Revamp fancy dress shop which has been in the North Laine since 1986. Full of interesting and unique costumes it has everything you could possibly need. Offering a mix of clothing, accessories, jewellery and gifts, the Jaba Yard is a gem of a store selling hippy chic and boho glam. The Seattle Restaurant is situated on the waterfront with stunning views across Brighton Marina. With seafood and local produce it&rsquos a very popular eatery The Duke of York&rsquos Cinema is the oldest continuously operating cinema in Britain. This Grade II listed building shows a mixture of classic, contemporary, independent and foreign language films. Brighton Pier has a huge choice of bars and rides, as well as the traditional fish &lsquon&rsquo chips restaurant for the perfect seaside short break. Lola Lo is the new, quirky and intimate bar and nightclub which transports you to a tropical oasis of authentic Polynesian vibe Food for Friends is one of Brighton&rsquos oldest and most established vegetarian restaurants serving delicious meat-free cuisine in vibrant surroundings. Founded by the owners of Farm Cafe this is a colourful, lively covered food market full or fresh produce and traditional wares every Wednesday & Saturday Abode is a stylish mix of contemporary and vintage home furnishings, quirky, design-led home accessories and gifts perfect for a Brighton souvenir in your home. Moshi Moshi is well-known for its fresh, handmade sushi and hot Japanese dishes that have grown in popularity across the city The Theatre Royal, Brighton is 200 years old but you can still see the biggest stars before they hit the West-End in dramas, comedies and musicals. Brighton Marina is one of Europe's largest marinas and also has a long line of shops, bars, restaurants and a cinema. Merkaba is a beautifully crafted bar with curved walls and gliding pewter surfaces, which reflects the warm and spacious cocoon of a contemporary bar Representing a whole range of local artists and craftsmen, the IO Gallery is the perfect place to find unique pieces for your home. A superb Spanish wine and tapas restaurant just a short walk from the beach, AguaDulce also serve wonderful local fish and fantastic Mediterranean dishes too. Recently renovated, the Old Market is a dynamic cultural venue just outside the city centre, showcasing everything from rock bands to exciting new theatre or cabaret Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is a state-of-the-art visitor attraction with dynamic and innovative galleries you can enjoy, even if art isn&rsquot really your thing. A great bar and seafood restaurant, this place is a very popular pre-show destination and late evening escape. Lucky Voice is labelled as &rsquothe most liberating, heart-racing, life-affirming singing experience on earth&rsquo. With seven private karaoke rooms over three floors, it can make for a wonderfully fun night out. A stylish and sophisticated bar, this is one of the nicest places in Brighton to sip a cocktail and enjoy one of their ef
fortlessly cool themed nights. Volks Railway was the first public electric railway in the world and it&rsquos still going. Head over and discover why it&rsquos so special Great bars, delicious food and some of the best live gaming experiences in the UK and open 24 hours a day. This Scandinavian-style bar is a locally owned and run free house with a flavour of real cosmopolitan Brighton. In a historic cottage building with outside sheltered terrace away from traffic, it&rsquos a true cosy hideaway. The Sea Life Centre has over 150 species, 57 displays and an underwater tunnel. The ideal destination for a great family day out Proud Brighton Ballroom is an historic venue offering decadent supper-club dining, with burlesque and cabaret entertainment to entertain all the family. This inviting wooden-featured bar has become a lively cultural space, hosting its own events as well as supporting those of TOM's Main House next door with live music, DJ sets and acoustic sessions. Theatre Royal Brighton is 200 years old and still bringing top West End entertainment to the city, with some of the biggest names on the stage. The Beachfront has a quirky mix of traditional seaside shops and artists&rsquo studios for you to peruse and enjoy. Winner of Best Venue at Brighton Fringe 2011, The Nightingale is a small, perfectly formed multi-art form theatre presenting great performances across dance, theatre, film and spoken word. With an extensive wine list and impressive cocktail bar, this place is a real hit with cosmopolitan visitors from the big city. The Hickstead Hotel sits within 7 acres of magnificent Surrey countryside and offers a scenic, peaceful and relaxing location to all visitors. Although tranquil and secluded, the Hickstead Hotel is just 20 minutes from Gatwick Airport and within easy reach of Brighton, the Sussex Downs and many National Trust properties.As the largest food and drink festival in the South, it’s top of the Brighton to-do listFrom the quirky shops of The Lanes to the unique boutiques of Hove the retro chic of the North Lane to the high street stores of Brighton Marina. Experience the biggest multi-arts festival in England right here in BrightonWith over 400 restaurants in Brighton and Hove, from fast food to fine dining, you'll certainly never be short of somewhere to eat. Enjoy this exciting beach festival with lots of sporting eventsBrighton has the liveliest music and club scene on the south coast, offering everything from dance to hard house and Latin beats. From the uber funky to the more traditional, bars and pubs in Brighton are bursting with designer décor, fine wines, real ales, hearty pub food and live music It’s the best Pride festival in the UK and that’s all you need to know!Bring your lantern and enjoy an amazing firework display on the Winter SolsticeBrighton Guide – A City Guide to Brighton – SuperbreakBrowse our Brighton Guide and make the most out of your break. You'll find tips and inspiration on the best attractions, events, restaurants and hotels in Brighton.
