10 Top Things To Do In Brighton On A Day Trip
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Looking forward to spending a fun day trip to Brighton? This seaside city has all aspects for an ideal British beach holiday. Here are some of the best things to do in Brighton on a day trip.
A classic seaside atmosphere, vibrant lanes, variety of eateries, fairground scenes, colorful beach huts, music and lovely people. All this resonates to Brighton. This city is frequently visited by thousands of tourists every month. If you are in London, a Brighton day trip is a must do to experience the British beach vibes.
You can also plan a longer stay in Brighton for an amazing vacation away from the city blues. The city has a lot to offer. Let us take you through some of the best things to do in Brighton on a day trip.
Things To Do In Brighton On A Day Trip
1. Stroll Along The Brighton Pier
Think of a Victorian styled seaside pier filled with eatery stalls (lots of fish and chips, ice-creams and candyfloss), game arcades, amusement rides, caricature artists, cocktail bars and cheery people. That’s Brighton Pier for you. Any trip to Brighton is incomplete without visiting this pier overlooking the iconic Brighton beach. It takes you back in time and gives the nostalgia of an old school English fairground. Get some fish and chips and chill along the seaside promenade while reminiscing good old times.
One of the other best things to do in the Brighton pier is to hop on the amusement rides or play the arcade games. If you do not enjoy the fairground games, you would enjoy sitting at one of the eateries, having a meal while watching a beautiful sunset over the sea.
2. Relax At The Brighton Beach
Brighton beach is a huge pebbled and rocky beach that stretches from the Brighton Pier all the way to the i360. Brits love to soak in sunshine at this stunning beach during summers. You can indulge in fun water activities such as kayaking, surfing, boating or get on to a cruise to sail on the sea. Shallow family swimming is recommended only. It can be dangerous if you try to go swimming ahead in the sea water. The promenade along the beach has many food stalls and bars where you can get some snacks and drinks.
You can also watch the entertaining Punch and Judy puppet show at the Fishing quarter area of the beachfront. The Brighton beach is a popular city beach getaway among Londoners and you can expect a lot of day trippers coming to the beach specially during the summers.
3. Fly Over The Brighton Beach On A Ziplining Adventure
For some cool adventure, brace yourselves up for the fastest and longest zipline experience on the south coast. Enjoy gliding over the Brighton beach and get an extremely memorable perspective of it’s stunning coastline. With all safety measures intact, going on a ziplining activity for the beautiful panoramic views of the seascape is a must do for an adrenaline filled Brighton day trip. Click here for more information on the ziplining activity.
4. Ride The i360
Soak in some fabulous views of Brighton’s skyline from the i360 viewing platform. It is one of the most enjoyable and unique things to do on a Brighton day trip. Introduced by British airways, the i360 is world’s tallest moving observation tower. It is visible from the Brighton beach and located at a walking distance from the promenade. This futuristic glass viewing platform wrapped around a central pole gives you an amazing way to view the beautiful coastline of Brighton.
You will be entering the viewing pod from the ground level, which would then ascend towards the highest point. It’s a breath taking and one of the most memorable things to do in Brighton. Make sure you book your tickets for your i360 before you go to avoid long waiting queues.
5. See The Hove Beach Huts
If you are wondering, where are those colorful beach huts of Brighton, make way to the west side of the Brighton beach. It’s hardly at 2.5 kms walk from the beach through the promenade. These lovely beach huts are lined up on the pebbled beach and give you every opportunity for an Instagram worthy picture.
These huts are privately and can be rented during summers. If you are visiting in the winter, it’s likely that you will find them closed.
6. See The Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion is a magnificent palatial building that served as seaside retreat to King George IV during the 18th century. Exploring the grandeur of the Royal Pavilion is one of the most fascinating things to do in Brighton on a day trip. Featuring a dome and minarets, it has striking similarities to a Turkish palace. The interiors are beautifully decorated with royal furnishings and paintings. The lush green gardens surrounding the Royal Pavilion is a great spot to get some Instagram worthy shots. The gardens are also perfect for a family picnic and relaxing time.
Admiring the opulence and grandeur of the Royal Pavilion is a must do activity on your Brighton day trip from London.
7. Enjoy A Meal At The Lanes
Located in the historic quarter of Brighton are The Lanes. This lively and vibrant hub is a collection of walkable narrow streets that are lined up with plenty of stores, antique shops, cafes, boutiques, restaurants and pubs. Going on a walk through The Lanes is one of the coolest things to do in Brighton and experience the city’s cultural scenes. If you are short on time, take a stop here for a hearty meal before finishing your Brighton day trip.
The Lanes are a go to place if you are looking for some good food options. You will find multi cuisine restaurants serving all kinds of meals (vegetarian and vegan too!). Some of our favorite picks are as below;
Food For Friends : For the best vegetarian and vegan food.
Riddle & Finns : For delicious seafood.
Lost In The Lanes : For the fabulous brunch meals.
8. Take A Stroll Admiring Street Art
Head to the North Laine to see some amazing and vibrant street arts – one of UK’s best. All the walls of the narrow lanes are filled with colorful graffiti and murals. If you love artwork – it’s a heavenly place for you. Even if you are not much into arts, check out the picturesque street arts and alleyways on the North Laine. You won’t regret it.
9. Go Shopping In North Laine
North Laine is a cool shopping hub in Brighton. There are many stores having fashionable outfits, minimal ornaments, antiques, furnishings, crafty bohemian stuffs and much more. Visit the Snoopers Paradise for all kinds of vintage collections. You can find some amazing gifts and decor items in this market.
10. Sample The Food
Brighton is a foodie’s paradise. Many restaurants serve freshly caught seafood, and with everything from Michelin Star to street food, there is something for everyone. Take a walking food tour through the streets of Brighton for sampling local food and drinks. Some of our favorite picks are;
- Burritos at La Choza
- Burger at Grubbs
- Gelato at Boho Gelato
- Fish & Chips from any restaurant or food stall
Where To Stay In Brighton
If you are planning an overnight stay in Brighton to explore more, here are some of the best picks of accommodation to help you book a stay as per your budget.
Budget (Below £50) : ibis Brighton has well decorated rooms with modern amenities. It’s located at the center of the vibrant city Brighton. The Brighton beach is just half kilometer away from the hotel. Click here to check availability or to book your stay.
Mid Range (Upto £100) : The Jury’s Inn Brighton Waterfront hotel overlooks the seafront and offers a comfortable stay in the city. The Brighton Pier and the Royal Pavilion are just 400 meters away from the hotel. The hotel features beautiful rooms with all the modern amenities. Click here to check availability or to book your stay.
Luxury (£100 ++) : The Grand Brighton is an iconic hotel in Brighton that offers rooms featuring luxury amenities. It is located at the seafront and has close proximity to the Brighton Pier. It is just 5 minutes walking distance away from The Lanes. Click here to check availability or to book your stay.
Don’t Forget Your Brighton Day Trip Essentials
There are a few essential things you must not forget to carry with yourselves to Brighton.
Comfortable Shoes : Brighton is a city that is extremely walkable. Make sure you put on some comfortable shoes. Avoid any kind of heels. Check out these really cool and comfortable shoes that are perfect for any seaside destination.
Sunscreen : Keep a good sunscreen lotion for a moisturized, protected and hydrated skin. This one from Garnier is a savior. Do carry a good lip balm too!
Water bottle : A good quality of water bottle is a must for your journey.
Picnic blanket : If you are looking forward to spending more time sitting on the beach, carrying a sand proof picnic blanket would be very useful.
Camera : Brighton is a picturesque seaside town. You can certainly not forget to carry your camera.
Daypack : An Osprey Daypack is perfect for convenient and organised packing for day trips.
Portable Charger / Power Bank : A power bank is a necessity to keep your phones and tablets charged throughout your trip. We love the Anker Power Core portable charger as it comes with high speed charging capability. It also comes with an unmatched worry free 18 month warranty. It certainly is a deal not to be missed. Check out the Anker Power Core portable charger here.
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Snoopers Paradise and Grubbs burgers are the best!! Glad they both got a mention. 🙂