to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Make the most of a trip to Brighton beach with our handy guide of what to do and see.
Brighton was recently voted most engaging beach desitnation in the UK by Tripscout, a social travel guide, so now is the perfect time to discover what makes our beach the best! Brighton’s seafront is iconic, from the bright lights of Brighton Palace Pier, to the colourful beach huts of Hove. There is nothing better on a hot day than a paddle in the bracing waves and of course an obligatory ice cream!
Seafront Attractions
Brighton's seafront is buzzing with things to do, from thrill raising activities to a competitive game of glow in the dark crazy golf. Enjoy some shade and some fun with the family at one of these attractions.
Brighton Zip - The Brighton Zip is the longest zip line on the south coast, reaching 30m in height and providing panoramic views of Brighton’s iconic beachfront, the Palace Pier, the Seven Sisters and beyond.
Brighton Palace Pier - With their fairground attractions, two arcades, plus Brighton’s biggest indoor soft play area - ‘Palace Play’ - Brighton Palace Pier makes it a day to remember.
SEA LIFE Brighton - Based opposite the iconic pier, SEA LIFE Brighton was built in 1872 and features 5,500 mesmerising creatures including Rays, Sharks, Turtles, Terrapins, Star Fish, Seahorses and an Iguana.
Brighton i360 - From the top, enjoy breathtaking 360° views across Brighton, the beautiful South Downs, the sparkling sea, and the vibrant city below.
Upside Down House - Turn you and your family's world upside down at the Upside Down House! This seafront attraction is great for making memories, and taking some unique pictures.
Rampion Visitor Centre - The Visitor Centre is a free, exciting and interactive educational experience for children and adults of all ages.
Volk's Electric Railway - The World’s Oldest Operating Electric Railway, opened in 1883, now over 140 years old! Winner of Heritage Railway of the Year Award 2024.
Brighton Fishing Museum - The fishing industry and beach leisure trade of Brighton is presented at this museum on the seafront. Working fishermen in adjacent arches bring history to life.
Food & Drink
Brighton & Hove's seafront offers a plethora of dining options, and there is nothing better than enjoying a delicious meal whilst watching the waves, here is our list of dining options with a sea view.
The Salt Room - Offering panoramic views of the Brighton seafront, The Salt Room serves fresh, seasonal seafood, well-made cocktails, a bespoke wine list alongside an excellent and a really wonderful, relaxed service.
Cyan - Housed in Brighton's most iconic seafront hotel, The Grand Brighton, Cyan is the sort of contemporary stylish eatery that appeals to locals and visitors alike.
OHSO Social - OHSO Social sits on Brighton beach beside the Palace Pier and offers all-day dining and drinks with unrivalled sea views.
Brighton Music Hall - Found in Brighton's historic beachfront archways, Brighton Music Hall is a bar, restaurant and cocktail bar set over two floors.
Drift Bar & Kitchen - Perfectly positioned beside the iconic Brighton i360, Drift Bar & Kitchen is your go-to seaside spot for drinks, bites, and unforgettable sunsets.
The Terrace at Pearly Cow - Perched above King's Road with wide-open views of the English Channel, The Terrace Bar by Pearly Cow is back for its second summer... and it's all about the bar.
The Seahorse - The Seahorse is a stylish and sophisticated, yet relaxed and contemporary restaurant dining and wedding and events venue, with unrivalled sea views.
BeFries - Serving delicious cones of Belgium fries with a huge range of BeSaucy sauces to dip, perfect to enjoy on the beach, just watch the seagulls!
Shelter Hall - Shelter Hall is a re-imagined food hall unlike any other, serving non-stop originality and curated menus to the people of Brighton.
Riddle & Finns - Sensational seafood and seaviews, take in the stunning panoramic views of the famous Brighton Piers and enjoy alfresco dining on their wrap-around terrace as you feast on local seafood & shellfish.
Sea Lanes Café - Sea Lanes isn’t just a wellness wonderland, it’s also a hub for excellent food and drink. Try out a beachside BBQ, some damn good coffee, or just kick back with a beer.
HarBAR + Kitchen - Get a front row seat to bustling Brighton at the sea-facing HarBAR + Kitchen, boasting views of the iconic Palace Pier. Folding doors welcome you for alfresco lunching and a refreshing cocktail or two.
These are just a taster of what is on offer, discover more seafront finds on our Food & Drink pages.
Seafront Safety
You can find more information on Sea Safety at the Beach on the Brighton & Hove City Council website and the RNLI website but here are a few things to keep in mind:
🌊 Only swim within the areas patrolled by lifeguards. These are clearly marked with red and yellow flags and swim close to the shore.
🌊 Never jump off any structure directly into the sea - you can never be sure how deep the water is below.
🌊 It is never safe to go into the sea after drinking alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol speeds up the onset of hypothermia in cold water.
🌊 Do not use inflatables - blow-up toys and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea where they can easily be swept out.
🌊 If you are in trouble dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.
🌊 Check the Tides Timetables before you set off to the beach.
Beach Accessibility
Brighton beach has a dedicated area that is wheelchair accessible so if you use a wheelchair, you needn’t miss out on enjoying the beach.
The Black Rock boardwalk is an 850 Metre wheelchair friendly boardwalk, which runs from the Volk's Railway Station at Black Rock to the Volk’s Workshops at the junction with Duke’s Mound. It provides an attractive, safe and accessible route across the beach.
To find out more about facilities of venues in the city, our accessibility page has details of accommodation, shopping and where to eat, making your journey easier to organise.
Shopping
Wandering along the promenade looking for a souvenir of your holiday, is there anything better! Brighton's seafront has a wide range of shopping options, which will you choose?
Brighton Marina - With a selection of shops selling everything from chocolates to gifts to fashion and home furnishing, Brighton Marina is the perfect spot for some retail therapy!
Bird & Blend - Nestled in the arches on Brighton’s buzzing seafront you will find Bird & Blend Tea Co., an independent, award-winning, tea company on a mission to spread happiness & reimagine tea!
Brighton Photography Gallery - Brighton Photography is Brighton's most popular photography gallery & is located in the West Pier Arches. The gallery features the very best photography of Brighton and the South Downs by some of the city’s favourite photographers.
Atelier by the Sea - Discover this creative arts space situated right on the beach, offering a wide range of creative activities and the best in art and craft to inspire and surprise the local community and visitors to the city.
Activities
Our unique city always has something going on, and the seafront is a hub of activities, so once you've explored the shops and visited the attractions why not learn a new skill or simply relax with a sauna and plunge pool, perfect for cooling off!
Yellowave Beach Sports venues - Yellowave Beach Sports provides Brighton & Hove with its very own sandy beach. The Brighton venue offers 6 beach volleyball courts all available to hire by the hour. The new Hove venue offers 3 courts for beach volley or beach tennis plus a 5/side beach soccer pitch.
Beach Box Sauna - Beach Box Sauna is an all year-round wood-fired public beach sauna spa, based on Brighton Beach. Two, cosy converted horsebox trailers with wood-fired stoves and a 12-seater, cedar sauna with panoramic views of the ocean.
Sea Lanes - At the heart of Sea Lanes is a 50m, 6 lane accessible outdoor swimming pool, operated by South Downs Leisure. The water is kept at a perfect 18 degrees year round so even on chillier days it is warmer than the sea.
GLOBALLS ® - Embark on a wild and unforgettable adventure at GLOBALLS ®, Brighton Marina’s top attraction for family fun, date nights, and group outings.
Lagoon Watersports & Brighton Boating - One of the country's premier watersports centres offering windsurfing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding tuition and hire.
Jungle Rumble - Located on Maderia Drive, Jungle Rumble boasts 2 exciting 18-hole golf courses with enough obstacles to keep you and the whole family entertained for hours.
Brighton Watersports - Live life beyond the shoreline! Discover exhilarating watersports with Brighton Watersports, with a range of activites to enjoy, will you learn to sail or perhaps take a lesson in how to paddleboard?
Need more inspiration? Our beachfront page has more ideas to explore. Make a holiday of it and book accommodation so you can explore even further.
Caroline
Can I park on the seafront?
Yes, there are parking facilities at Madeira Drive, Regency Square car park, the Lanes Car Park and the King Alfred car park. Discover more about parking in Brighton, visit Brighton & Hove City’s Council’s Parking Page.
Is Brighton Beach free to access?
Yes, access to Brighton Beach is free and it is open year-round.
What is Brighton Beach known for?
It is known for its stunning pebbly shoreline, Brighton Palace Pier, lively seafront, and promenade.
Can you swim there?
Yes, swimming is popular in warmer months, but visitors are advised to pay attention to water conditions and any safety warnings.
Are there toilets and changing facilities?
Yes, public toilets and changing facilities are located at Black Rock, Hove Lagoon, King Alfred, Kings Road, Shelter Hall and West Pier Arches. For more information, visit the Brighton & Hove City Council’s public toilets page.
What attractions are nearby?
Common nearby attractions include Brighton Palace Pier, SEA LIFE Brighton, Brighton i360, and the seafront promenade.
What is the postcode for Brighton Palace Pier?
The postcode is BN2 1TW.
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