to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
This itinerary has been written by Kate Annetts. Kate is a writer and Disability Rights Campaigner who has lived in Brighton & Hove for the best part of two decades. She has been featured in the iPaper, The Times and on ITV Meridian. She also works part-time for the local charity Possability People. In her spare time she enjoys collecting and listening to vinyl and going to gigs in and around the city.
Brighton has always been thought of as a forward thinking and inclusive city and this doesn’t exclude its disabled visitors. There are plenty of fun and accessible activities to do over a weekend in Brighton and its neighbouring Hove.
Take a look at our two-day itinerary for getting the most out of the city without having to worry about your personal access needs.
Day 1
If you don’t have your own mobility devise and would like to borrow one to maximise your stay then the Shopmobilty in the Churchill Square car park have a variety of scooters and wheelchairs that can be borrowed for the day or overnight for a small charge. There is also the option to have anything delivered to where you are staying, the friendly team can deliver and collect from many of the local hotels and private residences within Brighton and Hove.
Once you are all set to explore the city your first priority must be Brighton Palace Pier which is completely flat and includes a large unisex disable toilet. There are many rides and games as well as casual places to eat or have a drink including Horatio’s Bar and the Palm Court restaurant which offers menus in braille. I have never been a huge fan of heights but I always enjoy a ride on The Haunted Hotel as well as a go on the 2p machines in the arcade.
Of course the pier is next to Brighton's famous pebbled beach with its huge variety of places to eat and drink inside and out. The newly opened Shelter Hall has several independent eateries in one fully accessible building with a lift to the first floor for views of the sea while you have your meal. I am big fan of Lost Boys Chicken but conveniently everyone at your table can order from whichever vendor they fancy and eat together.
In the afternoon you could take to the sky on the wheelchair friendly i360 to the west or explore the depths of the ocean at Sea Life which is accessible from the beach at the left of the pier. The ocean display in the auditorium isn’t accessible, however, the display can be seen through the viewing tunnel that is. If you’re feeling brave enough to go into the sea itself but require a little bit of help traversing the pebbles then visit the Beachfront Office where they have a beach wheelchair available to hire that even goes into the sea.
It’s a well-known fact that fish and chips taste better by the sea and you won’t need to look far for somewhere selling chips along the seafront. Opposite the pier is a large Harry Ramsdens if you wish to dine in and avoid attracting the attention of the local seagulls or the excellent Bankers is on Western Road, a little way from the sea but there are takeaway and eat in options here.
You would be hard pushed to find an evening that didn’t have a world-class concert or comedy show worth going to at Brighton’s famous Dome or the Brighton Centre. If you’re looking for something more avant garde then both the Komedia and The Old Market are smaller but equally as accessible venues.
Day 2
Start your day with a healthy veggie/vegan breakfast from Wai Kika Moo Kau on Kensington Gardens or perhaps you’re looking for something a little bit meaty (with veggie and vegan options) Mange Tout is in the heart of the North Laine and offers many different breakfast options that are a million miles away from your average bowl of cereal.
You are now in the heart of the city’s independent shopping area. While some shops are small and difficult to navigate there are still so many places to go to splash your cash. Snooper’s Paradise is an Aladdin’s cave of vintage treasure from clothing to furniture to used vinyl. If vinyl is your thing then Resident Records has a huge selection of new records, cds and books and sometime has instore performances to coincide with record releases.
The jewel in the crown of Brighton has to be the Royal Pavillion which is located between the North Laine and The Lanes. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, and wheelchairs are available to use if required. The Royal Pavilion has two floors, the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users, but access to the first floor is via a staircase only, however there is the option to see a video tour of the first floor as well as an audio guide with an onscreen transcript. In addition to this tactile tours of the palace can be booked for groups of visually impaired visitors and sign language interpreted group tours can be booked for the hard of hearing.
The Pavilion Gardens have an excellent café and there is also Brighton Museum & Art Gallery adjacent to this. All areas of the museum are accessible for wheelchair users and for people with limited mobility. There is a passenger lift and accessible toilets with staff on hand to answer any queries you might have. BSL interpreted group tours are available but must be booked in advance. Their current exhibit 'Queer the Pier' looks at the city’s LQBTQ+ history and the costume section is always a highlight.
For the evening Brighton has every kind of cuisine you could think of and while some restaurants aren’t as easy to get into as other it’s a safe bet that you’ll find somewhere accessible to eat that suits your taste buds and budget. Donatello’s in the heart of The Lanes is a family friendly Italian eatery that has a large menu that can be adapted for those with allergies and also has a large disabled toilet on the ground floor. There are also a number of familiarly named places to eat in the city centre for a quick bite or sit down meal.
If you fancy a night cap then you’re in luck as Brighton has a huge number of pubs and bars, many of which are accessible. As well as many on the seafront Crowns and The Western Front right in the city centre provide indoor and outdoor seating. One of Brighton’s largest and most lively pubs is The North Laine Brewhouse and is accessible via the side entrance with a large disabled toilet and helpful staff. The Al Campo Lounge and Presuming Ed’s on London Road are popular with visitors and locals alike and The Freemason’s on Western Road and The Cow at 7 Dials both boast large disabled toilets.
Related
Palace Pier is a 1,722ft long Victorian pier, located in the heart of Brighton and Hove’s 8 miles of coastline. With our famous fish and chip restaurant, a range of hot food and drink concessions, fairground attractions, two arcades, plus Brighton’s biggest indoor soft play area - ‘Palace Play’ - Brighton Palace Pier makes it a day to remember!
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