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Things to see in Brighton

Attractions

The Lanes

The Lanes, with its intricate network of narrow, twisting alleyways, is the historical heart of Brighton, and it was here that the pre-Domesday Book fishing village of Brighthelmstone had its centre. Fast forward a millennia, and it is a phantasmagoria of individual boutiques, restaurants and bars, with a seemingly endless rows of antique jewellery shops that make windows virtually impassable without a coo or a gasp.

Address: , The Lanes, Brighton,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

The Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion, with its Indian Mogul exterior created by John Nash, was the seaside palace of George IV. A pickled egg’s throw from the seafront, its minarets and onion domes have been an intrinsic part of the city’s skyline since the 1820s. The Pavilion Gardens become a haven for sun-seekers and buskers as soon as the clocks go back.

Address: , 4-5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE
Telephone: +44 300 029 0900.
Opening times:

Daily 0930-1745 (Apr-Sep); daily 1000-1715 (Oct-Mar).

Website: http://www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Housing one of the UK's finest collections of modern decorative art and design, this gallery features the likes of Salvador Dali, Grayson Perry and Philippe Starck. It also allows visitors to traverse from Ancient Egypt to the modern day in its Exploring Brighton exhibition. Furthermore, its LGBTQ Museum Trail provides additional information on exhibits that have particular relevance for the LGBTQ community.

Address: , Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1EE
Telephone: +44 300 029 0900.
Opening times:

Tue-Sun 1000-1700.

Website: http://www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/brighton
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Brighton Sea Life Centre

Refurbished in 2012, Brighton Sea Life Centre is the world's oldest operational aquarium, offering a combination of Victorian architecture and enough aquatic displays to keep the most ardent of marine junkies pleased. Giant sea turtles, black-tipped reef sharks, giant Japanese spider crabs and seahorses roam this marine world, where spectacular views are made possible by its flagship underwater tunnel.

Address: , Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TB
Telephone: +44 1273 604 234.
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1000-1800.

Website: http://www.visitsealife.com
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Brighton Pier

For those hankering for a slice of British seaside culture, a quick once around Brighton Pier is a necessary evil. Built in the 1890s, the pier offers an array of rollercoasters at the far end, along with traditional fairground airgun shoots and basketball tosses where you can win an array of fluffy prizes that’ll never leave your hotel room. In between is a schizophrenic array of arcades to delight kids and hospitalise grandparents in equal measure. Visit. Tick. Leave.

Address: , Madeira Drive, Brighton,
Telephone: +44 1273 609 361.
Opening times:

It depends on individual attractions and subject to weather conditions, but mostly daily 1000–2100.

Website: http://www.brightonpier.co.uk
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

The North Laine

If The Lanes appeal more to the yummy mummy set, The North Laine pitches to the alternative crowd, catering for those who like vintage threads, super foods and new tattoos. If your idea of retail nirvana is a rackety hotchpotch of worthy-but-nice independent retailers selling everything from second-hand suitcases to Sub-Pop vinyl, check out Snoopers Paradise at 7 Kensington Gardens.

Address: , North Laine, Brighton, BN1
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Brighton Wheel

In the 2000s, no self-respecting British city could declare itself as such without a big Ferris wheel spinning somewhere in its centre. Brighton is no different, though its view of the Channel on one side and cityscape on the other make it a more contrasting experience than most. Enter a capsule just after dark and gaze wistfully out to the sea for the full existential ‘just a small pebble on a big beach’ effect.

Address: , Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1TB
Telephone: +44 1273 722 822.
Opening times:

Sun-Thu 1000-2100 Fri-Sat 1000- 2300.

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Preston Manor

Preston Manor is a grand manor house with walled gardens at Preston Drive, 3km (2 miles) north of Brighton city centre. The interior showcases the finery of upper-class Edwardian life, including ornate reception rooms decked in portraiture, intricate furniture and the sort of silver cutlery you won’t find in the chippies down the seafront. Fans of the supernatural may also be interested to learn that it’s supposed to be Brighton’s most haunted house.

Address: , Preston Drove, Brighton, BN1 6SD
Telephone: +44 300 029 0900.
Opening times:

Tue-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700 (Apr-Sep).

Website: http://www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/prestonmanor
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

West Blatchington Windmill

This Grade II-listed mill at West Blatchington was built in the 1820s and found fame soon after as it was painted by John Constable in 1825. Bread-fans will revel in learning the process of how grain turns into flour, while local agricultural exhibits make up its visitor’s centre.

Address: Hove, Holmes Avenue, Brighton, BN3 7BW
Telephone: +44 1273 776 017.
Opening times:

Sun and Bank Holidays only 1430-1700 (May-Sep).

Website: http://www.sussexmillsgroup.org.uk
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

The Booth Museum of Natural History

This museum is the personal collection of the Victorian naturalist Edward Booth, who toiled under the eccentric life-aim of shooting, stuffing and displaying every bird native to the British Isles. With over half a million specimens here, plus natural history literature from the last three centuries, the museum’s stock in trade is birds, bones and butterflies but includes an interactive section as well.

Address: , 194 Dyke Road , Brighton, BN1 5AA
Telephone: +44 1273 292 777.
Opening times:

Mon-Wed and Fri-Sat 1000-1200 and 1315-1700, Sun 1400-1700.

Website: http://www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/booth
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Brighton Visitor Information Centre

Address: , Royal Pavilion Shop, 4-5 Pavilion Buildings , Brighton,
Telephone: +44 1273 290 337.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 1000-1600.

Website: http://www.visitbrighton.com

Brighton no longer has one specific Visitors Information Centre, but 10 information points throughout central parts of the city. Not all of these are manned, though you will find assistants at the Royal Pavilion Shop and in the box office of the Brighton Centre. Each Point has an array of maps, leaflets on where to eat, drink and sleep.

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