Brighton Walking Tour: A Guide to the City

Himani's guide to the best things to do in Brighton! 🌊☀️

Going on the Brighton Day Trip on September 12? Check out this guide to Brighton written by Halls Life Champion Himani. 

We are so excited to take you to Brighton this Saturday! 🥳 Brighton is known as the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of the UK and is famous for its vibrant drag and cabaret scene! 🏳️‍🌈✨ 

This is your go-to guide to the city and the variety of culture, independent shops, food spots and experiences Brighton has to offer. 💛

1. Banksy’s Kissing Coppers

To start off the walk, head down to Banksy’s widely famous Kissing Coppers artwork, which is embraced locally as a powerful symbol of acceptance and a celebrated cultural staple. 🏳️‍🌈🎨

2. Sydney Street

Make your way down to Sydney Street to start off with some vintage shopping, second-hand bookshops and a cute florist! 📚🌷🛍️

3. North Laine 

Walk down to North Laine for even more vintage shopping! You'll find a flea market on the road with some really cool vintage finds, alongside the cutest independent shops, perfect for homeware & décor, vintage jackets, jewellery and the randomest finds. 👀✨

Make sure to check out:

• 🪩 Snoopers Paradise: I could honestly spend hours in there going through vintage vinyls, old film rolls and some really cool finds!
• 🏠 Bert’s Homestore: For the cutest additions to your halls room without breaking the bank! 🛏️✨

4. Photomatic

Do visit the Photomatic Studio, which has one of the vintage photobooths in the UK! 📸 You can get a photo for just £4, with every extra print costing £2.

Make sure to stop by and capture some memories from this trip with your friends! 🥰💌

As you continue your walk, pass through the iconic Duke of York’s Picturehouse, the oldest operating cinema in the UK! 🎬🍿

5. Pompoko & Mash Tun

As you walk through the Lanes towards the Brighton Museum & Royal Pavilion, you’ll pass one of my favourite food spots: Pompoko! 🍚🥢

They do some of the best donburi bowls and Asian food, just make sure to bring some cash with you because it’s cash only! 💷

You can also stop by Mash Tun for classic pub food & some amazing burgers. 🍔

6. Statue of George IV

Make your way towards the Brighton Museum and you’ll come across this statue of George IV. 👑

The statue honours the monarch who transformed Brighton from a small fishing town into the fashionable, world-famous seaside resort that you’re experiencing today! 🌊✨

7. Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery has a small collection of artefacts from around the world, reflecting a variety of different cultures. 🌍🖼️

I would personally recommend spending your day down at Brighton Pier and the beachfront, taking in the last bits of summer ☀️, but if you’re really keen to explore the museum, tickets are around £9.50! 🎟️

8. Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion was originally made for King George IV but has served many different purposes since. 👑

The Royal Pavilion is recognised by its exotic Indian-inspired exterior and lavish Chinese-inspired interiors. 🪷🏯

While you can buy a ticket to view the Pavilion, I wouldn’t personally recommend it because it feels a little dated and, in my opinion, isn’t quite as interesting inside. 😬

But if you do want to get a ticket, it’s £21.50 & can be bought on the spot! 🎟️

9. Brighton Beachfront

As you walk down the road, you’ll reach the showstopper of Brighton, the Brighton pebble beachfront! 🥹🌊

It has some of my favourite views in the UK, with the seagulls, Brighton Pier and the ocean all in one place. 🐚☀️

⚠️ SEAGULL WARNING: Beware of them! They WILL want to steal all your food. 👀

I could sit at the beach for hours with some freshly cooked donuts and warm chocolate sauce from The Beach Hut Café. 🍩🍫

10. Brighton West Pier

From here, you can view the remains of the Brighton West Pier, the OG Brighton pier, built in 1866 and once known as one of the most visited Victorian attractions. 🎡

Over the years, extreme weather, high maintenance costs and arson attacks in 2003 have left only the iconic metal structures remaining. 

11. Brighton Palace Pier

If you walk towards the beach, it should lead you to the iconic Brighton Palace Pier, which has the most fun and nostalgic arcade games and pier rides! 🎠🎮

Each of these activities costs around £2–£6. 💷

You can try your luck at the arcade and win some fun prizes 🧸, enjoy funfair sweets like cotton candy, ice cream & churros 🍭, and there are also lots of beach chairs where you can sit back and enjoy the view. 🌊☀️

COMING ON TO THE BEST PART… 

🐟 Fish & Chips

Captain’s Fish & Chips: The best takeaway cod, and it’s right by the beach! 🍟🌊

Harry Ramsden’s: If you prefer sitting down at a restaurant, this is the one for you! 🐟

🍜 Local Food Spots

Pompoko: A Brighton favourite for affordable donburi bowls and Asian food!🥢 

🌱 Vegan Food Spots 

Purezza: Vegan pizzas with SO much variety!

What the Pitta: Delicious vegan kebabs and loaded pitta wraps!

Happy Maki: Fresh, colourful vegan sushi and sushi burritos! 🥑🍱

☕ Cafés

Komodo: Specialty coffee brewers for your caffeine fix! 🤎

Bread & Milk: They have the best Nutella croissants, I promise! 🤤🍫

The Flour Pot Bakery: Amazing carrot cakes, with tons of vegan options too! 

Here is a Google Maps Link with all the recommendations in one place, so you can easily find everything while exploring Brighton! 📌

And that’s my guide to the city I have grown to love for its diversity, character, food and endless little discoveries.🌈

I hope you enjoy Brighton and all the different experiences it has to offer! ☀️

By Himani Bhala (A fellow foodie & travel enthusiast!)