The Lanes

The Lanes are a famous part of Brighton & Hove. Nestled between the North Laine and the seafront, this quirky labyrinthian area is a joy to wander around with its narrow alleyways, hidden squares, exciting shops, legendary jewellers and plenty of places to eat, drink and watch the world go by.

Stretching between East Street, Ship Street and North Street, and just a ten minute walk from Brighton Station and a five minute walk to Brighton Palace Pier, the Lanes are easy to get to, but somewhat harder to leave!

Parts of The Lanes date back to the late 16^th Century when Brighton was a small fishing town called Brighthelmstone. Some of the alleyways – or twittens as they’re known locally – have an even older feel to them. The Cricketers Arms on Black Lion Street was built around 1545, and is believed to be the oldest pub in the area.

This mix of old and new is what gives The Lanes its special charm. While new shops, bars, restaurants and cafés spring up all the time, one of the most exciting developments in the area in recent times was the opening of Hannington’s Lane in 2019. Named after the once-flourishing department store formerly located on the corner of North and East Street, Hannington’s Lane now boasts an enticing array of new independent shops and restaurants, a photogenic green wall, in-your-face art murals and regular pop-up events. Visit this new, stylish corner of The Lanes and you can treat yourself to vegan burgers, organic ice cream, speciality coffee or a little taste of foodie heaven on a roof terrace soaking up the ambiance.

The Lanes really come alive in the summer months when many of the restaurants open up outside and buskers fill the air with live music. With the Palace Pier a stone’s throw away in one direction and the Royal Pavilion a few yards away in the other, there’s no excuse for not fitting in a visit to Brighton’s famous Lanes! We just recommend you stay a little longer so that you can take all the time you need to explore this fun part of Brighton.

More areas