Hotels in Brighton

Summer is best if you’re planning promenading along the beach, but it’s always worth packing a rain coat. Autumn and winter are more suited to exploring the city’s boutique shops and galleries: foodies will want to visit the Brighton & Hove Food Festival in September.

No trip to the British seaside would be complete without a box of vinegar-soaked fish and chips, followed by a stick of the city’s famous Brighton Rock. In recent years, the city’s food scene has really exploded. Chilli Pickle, run by husband-and-wife team Dawn and Alun Sheering, serves superb and authentic Indian cuisine, while vegetarians should head to Terre à Terre, consistently voted one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Britain- don’t miss the Korean Fried Cauliflower.

Experience Brighton’s exciting new artistic scene at the Phoenix Brighton. This independent, artist-owned gallery features regular exhibitions of bold, contemporary artwork as well as cultural events, speakers and even classes, if you’re creatively inclined.

Escape the hen-nights that tend to gather around West Street and instead head to one of Brighton’s ultra-trendy dive bars. Enjoy prohibition-style shindigs at The Mesmerist, live music at the Casablanca Jazz Club, or fringe comedy at Komedia Club. The city is known for its LGBTQ scene: Regency Tavern is a particular hotspot. For an authentic pint, The Cricketers Pub has old-world charms, and the favourite haunt of Graham Greene.

Kemptown is the beating heart of Brighton’s bohemian scene, and is brilliantly located just a short walk from the Royal Pavilion, Lanes, and the seafront. Spend your days exploring antique and vintage shops, then party in the area’s hip bars in the evening.

It’s just over an hour from the centre of London to Brighton’s train station. The closest international airports are London Gatwick and London Heathrow. Southhampton Airport is close by for domestic flights.