Brighton

Brighton attracts over 8 million tourists every year and is in the top 10 UK destinations for overseas visitors. As well as its excellent location, between the sea and the green hills of the South Downs National Park, the city has activities and attractions for all ages. More about entertainment and leisure

With regular fast trains to both central London and Gatwick Airport, Brighton is an easy-to-reach destination for event delegates or holidaymakers. It also has a good local bus system and a large number of taxis. More about travel and transport

Things to see, do and experience in Brighton

History and culture

• Royal Pavilion, Pavilion Gardens and Pavilion Museum
• Hove Museum  
• Preston Manor 
• Palmeira Mansion
• West Pier and Band Stand
• Booth Museum

Children

• Brighton Toy And Model Museum 
• Volks Railway 
• Brighton Sea Life Centre

Activities for all ages

• Brighton Pier 
• Boat trips from Brighton Marina 
• Brighton Wheel
• Brighton Fishing Museum 
• Comedy club
• Cycle hire
• Fishing at Brighton Marina
• Ghost Walk of the Brighton Lanes
• Hove Greyhound Stadium
• Kayaking around the Pier
• Lazer Zone
• Pottery painting
• Theatre Royal Brighton
• Water sports at Hove Lagoon
• Zorbing

Day excursions

• Exploring the South Downs National Park
• Devil’s Dyke
• Newhaven fort
• Lewes, Lewes Castle, Harvey's Brewery
• Tunbridge Wells
• Seven Sisters
• Eastbourne
• Hastings and Hastings Castle
• Chichester
• Portsmouth

Weekend excursions

• The New Forest
• Cambridge
• Leeds Castle and Canterbury
• London Eye, Madame Tussauds and Shopping
• Oxford, Windsor and Eton
• Thorpe Park
• New Forest and Isle of Wight
• Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral
• Amsterdam and Bruges
• Paris and Versailles

Brighton annual calendar of events

Brighton hosts dozens of festivals and events each year – from arts to food, culture to cars, cycling to paddling. VisitBrighton has a full list of annual festivals in Brighton as well as listings of upcoming events.

Brighton has superb road and rail links to London, Gatwick, Eastbourne and Southampton, and is also linked to mainland France via the ferry from Newhaven.

Travelling by train

• Brighton to London Victoria: 55 minutes
• Brighton to London Gatwick Airport: 30 minutes
• Brighton to Eastbourne: 35 minutes

For more information visit: National Rail or Gatwick Express

Travelling by car

Brighton is 90km from London.  The M25/M23 motorway link provides easy road access to London and the rest of the country.

See a map of South East England

Travelling from Europe or internationally

• From St Pancras International, the Eurostar terminal in London, it is possible to get a direct train to Brighton.
• Brighton is a 30-minute train journey or drive from Gatwick airport.
• There is a National Express Coach service from Heathrow to Brighton.
• There is a ferry service from Newhaven to Dieppe on the French mainland.

Getting around Brighton

You can use the Journey On website to plan your trips around Brighton. This service will give you plenty of options for getting around the city. Visit the Journey On website

On foot

One of the advantages Brighton is that there are so many places of interest within a quick walk of the city centre. 

By bike

A network of cycle lanes run across the city. Cycle parking is available at all our venues and accommodation and bicycles can be hired for the duration of your visit. See Cycle info from Brighton & Hove Council

By bus

There are now two bus companies running in the Brighton area, with a range of affordable fares and discount deals. See Brighton and Hove buses and The Big Lemon