Things To Do In Brighton On Your Trip

Brighton is a cultural hub renowned for its diversity, nightlife, architecture, and unique shopping attractions.

The city pulls in around 11 million visitors each year, making it one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations – from day trippers to staycationers, people from across the globe pour in in their millions to soak up the sights of the city. 

If you’re planning a trip to this iconic seaside resort, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our comprehensive guide to the most inspiring, unique, and downright fun things to do on your trip to Brighton. 

Explore The North Laines 

No Brighton trip would be complete without visiting The North Laines. This historic quarter of Brighton is sometimes referred to as a mini-Camden, and it’s one of the most famous parts of Brighton & Hove. 

Its narrow, winding streets are famous for their small, quirky shops. Here, you can find everything from antiques and vintage clothing to handmade homeware and rare vinyls.

As you wander through its twittens, you’ll be greeted by talented buskers, jewellery stalls, and a variety of independent boutiques. If you need to stop for a quick coffee break or a bite to eat, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Whether you fancy a traditional pub or a quirky tea room, The North Laines offers almost anything and everything you could dream of. 

Some of the most popular shops in the North Laines include Snoopers Paradise (a vintage lovers dream), the iconic Komedia comedy club, the quirky Prince Albert pub, and of course, Jump the Gun, an emporium and mod clothing store.

Don’t forget to stop off at The Flour Pot for some of the tastiest sandwiches and cakes you’ll ever eat! 

Brighton Palace Pier 

Would you really want to visit a classic seaside resort without stopping off at the pier? We didn’t think so. Brighton Palace Pier is a grade II listed pier found at the heart of Brighton’s coastline. 

In the past, Brighton Pier has topped the list of England’s free attractions, pulling in as many as 4.3 million visitors in 2021.

The 1,722ft long pier boasts an impressive variety of rides and attractions, including a carousel, trampolines, the helter-skelter, and a mega slide. 

If you’re a keen arcade gamer, you’ll have plenty to sink your teeth into. At the centre of the pier is the indoor arcade room, which is one of the largest on the south coast.

Here, you’ll find classic coin machines, driving games, shooting games, and much more. 

When you first set foot on the pier, you’ll be greeted by fish and chip shops, donut stalls, and ice cream stalls. Don’t forget to pick up those iconic donuts before you continue your trip!

As you move further down the pier, you’ll find Palm Court Restaurant, Palace Pizza, and Horatio’s Bar – the perfect places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat.

If the weather is good, enjoy your refreshments on the outdoor seating on the pier, and soak up the best of Brighton’s beautiful coastline. 

Photomatic 

If you want some lasting memories of your trip in a truly unique environment, don’t forget to visit Photomatic! This quirky, retro-styled shop can be found in the heart of the North Laines.

Here, you step into one of their many unique photo booths, offering spontaneous, studio-quality pictures.

You’ll be greeted with friendly service, plenty of photo options, and an abundance of props and accessories to dress up in and have fun with.

This is unlike any other photo booth experience you’ve had, and you can even get your photos enlarged and framed! 

The Upside Down House 

For years, the Upside Down house was one of Brighton’s best-kept secrets. Thanks to social media, it’s seen a big boom in popularity, and it has fast become one of Brighton’s most popular attractions. 

The Upside Down House is exactly what it sounds like, and it’s pretty hard to miss. This distinctive attraction can be found just a short walk from the historic West Pier, and you can enter for just £5.95 per person, and children under 3 go free. 

When we say this is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, we mean it. Not only is the actual house upside down, but so is all of the interior, providing ample opportunity for some truly unique photo opportunities.

You’ll walk on the ceilings, handstand on the tables, and look like you’re levitating in some beautifully decorated spaces!

It’s great fun for all the family, and if you’re showing your pictures to someone unfamiliar with the house, it’s safe to say they’ll be pretty impressed! 

Globalls 

If you travel to Marina Square, you’ll find one of Brighton’s most unique, neon-drenched attractions: Globalls. Globalls is a one-of-a-kind UV mini golf and cocktail bar that’s great fun for both adults and kids alike! 

Globalls is a 12-hole indoor golf course, offering a hilariously fun games experience.

Globalls is based on a variety of themes, including the aquatic, Jurassic, and the classic carnival theme, and you’ll be hitting holes amongst some incredible life-sized neon sculptures!

Globalls is open the whole year round, and you’ll be talking about it for years to come. 

When you’ve finished putting, you can head straight to the UV cocktail bar famous for its unique atmosphere and tasty drinks, all crafted by expert mixologists.

From 6 pm, you can even take your drinks out onto the course – what’s not to love!? 

Walk-ins are subject to availability, or you can book online for just £8.95 per person (drinks not included).

The Royal Pavilion 

If you’re ready to soak up some art and culture, head on over to The Royal Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion was constructed in the mid-1780s and was originally the seaside home of King George IV.

Throughout the years, the Royal Pavilion has seen some incredible transformations, boasting minarets, pinnacles, and impressive domes on the exterior.

Royalty continued to visit The Pavillion, but in the late 1800s, it opened to the public. It was even used as a military hospital during the early months of WW1. 

The Royal Pavilion and gardens can be found just a stone’s throw from the seafront, and it has now been restored to revive the Regency era and mimic the vision of George IV.

Today, you can take a trip to the pavilion and tour it yourself through its audio-visual rooms, and see its impressive architecture for yourself.

You can even access an audio guide (available in several languages), to talk you through the rich history of The Pavillion.

When you’re done, you can take a stroll through its beautiful gardens, and stop for a coffee on the way. 

The Royal Pavilion is also home to an ice rink in the winter months, making it a diverse and historical point of interest the whole family will enjoy. 

LGBTQ+ Bars And Clubs 

If there’s one thing Brighton isn’t running low on, it’s bars and clubs. However, this iconic city is also informally dubbed the LGBTQ+ capital of the UK.

This impressive reputation has been in the making for over 200 years, and it’s a status that its residents and visitors are fiercely proud of. 

This status alone makes Brighton one of the most popular tourist attractions for queer visitors, and you’ll find many businesses and institutions in the capital catering specifically for its queer community. 

If you’re looking to explore Brighton’s abundance of LGBTQ+ safe spaces, specifically bars and clubs, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Some of the most popular bars and clubs include Club Revenge and R-Bar, Le’Village Brighton, The Actors, Affinity Bar, and Velvet Jacks Women’s Bar – just to name a few! Brighton is bursting with pride, and it’s named Soho by the sea for a reason!

Brighton Pride 

Brighton Pride weekend is one of the largest and most popular pride events in the UK, attracting over 500,000 every year.

Brighton Pride regularly attracts visitors from across the world and is usually held in early August each year.

At Brighton Pride, you can expect to see extravagant and lively parades, plenty of live music at the pride festival, and a pride village party in Kemptown, loaded with confetti, street parties, and all of the good stuff.

Preston Park is the beating heart of the event, and home to the Pride Festival, which has hosted the likes of Jess Glynne, Mariah Carey, Kylie, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears – just to name a few! 

If you’re visiting Brighton during pride, you won’t want to miss your chance to take part in one of the biggest LGBTQ+ events of the year! 

Final Thoughts 

Everyone is welcome in Brighton. No matter who you are or what you’re looking for, not only will you find it, but you’ll feel safe doing so.

This is just one reason why Brighton has become one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations.

Whether you’re travelling with friends or family, you can soak up the city’s rich history, iconic seaside attractions, unique shops, or LGBTQ+ safe spaces.

One thing’s for sure – no trip to the south coast is complete without visiting Brighton.