Top 10 things to do in Brighton

Royal Pavilion

Rated as one of the top attractions in Brighton, the Royal Pavilion is a stunning former royal residence designed by the same architect as Buckingham Palace. The Indo-Saracenic Grade I listed building is as impressive inside as it is from out, with guided audio tours providing all the information you need about its rich history.

Brighton Beach

For many people, heading to the beach is one of the first things to do in Brighton come rain or shine. Whether you’re relaxing in the sun, going for a paddle or devouring some fish and chips, the beach is the centrepiece of the city and home to the famous seaside amusements.

Palace Pier

As the most famous of those amusements, no trip to Brighton is complete without visiting the pier. Built at the end of the 19th century, the pleasure pier stretches out some 500 metres into the English Channel and has all the rides, arcades, soft play and other games you could wish for.

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery

Free to enter for residents, this fascinating museum and gallery has everything from natural history exhibits to fine art, film, textiles and costumes. Whether you’re casting your eye over ancient Egyptian treasures or 20th century fashion, the Bronze Age Hove Amber Cup is not to be missed.

Brighton Toy and Model Museum

A very different type of museum, this is the place to go if you have little ones in tow. One of the most fun things to do in Brighton with kids, the museum is home to more than 10,000 toys and models including everything from train sets and remote-controlled aircraft to impressive construction kits and puppet theatres.

The Lanes

You could get lost for days on end exploring the Lanes, with its myriad alleyways containing quirky independent shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. The centre of Brighton’s boho scene, think record stores, vintage emporiums, bookshops and art spaces.

LGBTQ+ Walking Tour

Brighton is known around the world for its inviting and inclusive gay scene. One of the best ways to discover the origins of this and just why the area has become synonymous with the LGBTQ+ community, you can go on a walking tour with a local expert to spot the best of the sights from the seafront to the Lanes and Kemptown.

Devil’s Dyke

For a moment’s peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to this charming beauty spot a few miles north of town on the way to Crawley. A picturesque valley within the South Downs National Park, Devil’s Dyke plunges some 100 metres in a V-shape and is surrounded by undulating hills.

Booth Museum of Natural History

Named after a Victorian naturalist and collector called Edward Thomas Booth, this excellent natural history museum is packed with taxidermic birds, fossils, bones and skeletons. As interesting as the collections are, the museum also acts provides an absorbing glimpse back to Victorian days.

British Airways i360

Finally, take to the skies to look back down over everywhere you’ve been with a trip up this breathtaking observation tower. It takes more than 20 minutes to rise up the tower in a pod with 360º views, before reaching the top some 160 metres above ground.

If you’ve got your sights set on the south coast, don’t miss our wonderful developments such as Chalkers Rise site not far from Brighton in Peacehaven. Or try Wychwood Park in Haywards Heath for superb access both to the seaside in one direction and London the other.