Brighton has very quickly become my favourite large town or city in England. It’s welcoming, and accepting, and gives many people, including myself, great comfort in feeling like you can be whatever you want here. So it’s certainly no surprise people want to visit, even if it’s only for 24 hours. But, blindly visiting somewhere without due knowledge of key sights and attractions, can leave one feeling dissatisfied, and grumpy. Driving all the way through London, or across the coastline to visit such a well-thought-of town, only to feel unfulfilled by your visit, can entirely ruin your opinion of a city. Hopefully, should you choose to read on, I can provide some guidance, so you can get the most out of your day trip to Brighton.
Best things to do in Brighton in a day
The Beachfront
The beach is obviously a huge draw for tourists, but there’s far more to the beachfront than the stony shore and sea. Firstly, we of course have the pier. 525 meters long, packed with 2 separate arcades, any seaside treat you could want, and an amusement park. There’s something about being suspended, dangling over the sea that makes the rides all the more thrilling. Why stop at just the pier? You could easily spend the majority of your day along the beach, thanks to the various activities available. Adventure golf, a Zipline, and a Beachside railway, are all ways to get a little more out of Brighton beach.
If you can afford it, my top recommendation would be the i360. 162 metres high, the i360 offers an incredible aerial view of Brighton and the vast expanse of Ocean. It’s a magnificent sight. To top it off there’s a bar you can enjoy a drink or two from, whilst you gaze and ponder over the vast expanse of water, suspended over 500 feet above the ground. Are views not enough for you? The i360 even offers the chance to abseil down all 531 feet of it. Also, if you have a chance to take a trip to Brighton for more than a day, then book your i360 flight for the sunset. It’s a breathtaking sundown over the rolling hills of Brighton.
Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion is a historic landmark, built as a seaside retreat for the regent King George IV. The palace is steeped in history and is a sight to behold. You are free to walk around the grounds, and relax on the grassy plain; the Pavilion provides the perfect backdrop for a picnic. This is more than sightseeing, though. Why not take the chance to explore inside? Walk between the same walls as kings and queens gaining a glimpse into the lives of 19th century royalty. The interior has been expertly preserved and faithfully restored by painters and artists, keeping it as close to its original design as possible.
The lanes
So you’ve had the morning at the beachfront. You’ve strolled up to the Pavilion for a picnic lunch and had a gander at the dwellings of royalty. So how about some shopping? Perhaps not an enthralling choice for some, but no matter your feelings, a day trip to Brighton isn’t complete without visiting the legendary ‘Lanes’. There is always something unique to pique your interest. With multiple lanes, spanning hundreds of shops, and 90% of them being independent businesses you won’t find anywhere else, it’s a haven for browsers and a hole in the pocket for the impulsive. Sprawling mazy charity shops like Snoopers Paradise and alternative clothes shops, with designs sporting dark humour, political statements, and ironic jabs. It embodies the spirit of Brighton better than anything else.
Whether you have money to spend or not, just browsing is interesting enough. There will be shops to cater for anyone no matter your interest. My personal browsing pleasures are the resident vinyl and CD shop, GAK and the well-curated guitar shop, Mudpie Music. The latter provides a frequently changing selection of vintage guitars. It’s always a joy walking past the window every time I find myself near the lanes, as I never know which piece of guitar history will be displayed in the window. The lanes always have something to tickle your fancy, no matter how much you may dislike shopping.
For those unimpressed by my earlier idea of a picnic, the lanes provide a sumptuous selection of food places. Have a Taiwanese Bubble Tea and follow it up with a pastry from the Flour Pot Bakery. For your main, I’d recommend Fatto A Mano, situated in the North Laine. It’s a fantastic Pizza place, with a lovely Neapolitan aura. If Pizza isn’t quite complex enough for your palette, then the Curry Leaf café is great for lovers of Indian food. Alternatively, Pompoko is a cosy authentic Japanese restaurant. Its size and stature make for a personal, unique dining experience, feeling just like a family-run restaurant you’d find in Japan.
Graffiti
Brighton and art go hand in hand. As a bastion of creativity, it’s no surprise musicians and artists are drawn to this city. You needn’t look far to find some quality examples of artistic expression and ability. No matter the street you find yourself on, you are never far away from a mural or political statement. With such a degree of quality and quantity. It’s always entertaining to wander and see which mind-bending landscapes, warped figures and humorous parodies you come across.
You can book a graffiti tour, and avoid missing out on any of the famous pieces across the city. If you are more adventurous like myself, however, I’d recommend just exploring. There is plenty to see and no tour in the world could show you everything without taking a whole day. You may come across art otherwise unappreciated that resonates with you. And turning a seemingly random corner to see a huge David Bowie mural makes for a far more enthralling experience, than seeing it as a tour stop.
Fish and Chips
Finally, no trip to any seaside is complete without something battered and deep-fried. As this trip down to Brighton comes to an end, the last thing to do is sample one of the many fish and chip PLAICES(I’m sorry). A British seaside day could never be complete without a warming high-carb meal, consumed with wooden cutlery. With the cold creeping in and your mind becoming ever more mindful of that seagull giving your haddock the eye. What better way to end your day out, and prepare yourself for the trip home.
