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City A-Z
Have a practical question about Brighton & Hove? Maybe you want to find out about Brighton's climate or you'd like information on city car parks or where to pick up free wi-fi services.
Below, you’ll find a handy A to Z resource of all the essential practical information you’ll need on your visit to Brighton & Hove. Simply click on a letter to get started:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Accessibility - Most Brighton & Hove buses have easy access and priority seating areas for disabled and elderly passengers; many with dedicated areas for wheelchairs - visit www.buses.co.uk for more information. City Cabs offer cabs with disabled and wheelchair access, as do Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs on request.
For detailed information about disabled access and accommodation in Brighton visit our Accessibility section.
Accident and emergency - In the event of a serious accident, fire or incident, call 999 and specify whether you require an ambulance, the fire service or the police. If you require an A&E department, Royal Sussex County Hospital has a 24 hour casualty department, which is situated on Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE. (01273 696955).
For general health related advice and information call 111 (free from any phone).
Airports - The main UK airports are:
- London Gatwick (www.gatwickairport.com) and
- London Heathrow (www.heathrowairport.com).
Brighton is only half an hour from Gatwick by train and approximately 2 hours from Heathrow. Regular coach connections serve Brighton from both airports. Visit our Getting Here by Plane page for further information.
B
Baby changing - Baby changing facilities are readily available across Brighton & Hove in many of the public toilets across the city, as well the major department stores and supermarkets. Many restaurants, bars and cafes will also offer changing facilities, but it’s best to check first.
Banks - Banks are generally open from 09.30 - 16.30 Monday - Friday. Some branches are open on Saturday 09.30 - 12.00. All the major UK banks are easily located along the main high streets. Most have ATMs.
Bank holidays - The 2020 Bank Holidays for England and Wales are:
- New Year's Day - 1 January
- Good Friday – 10 April
- Easter Monday – 13 April
- May Bank Holiday (VE Day) – 8 May
- Spring Bank Holiday – 25 May
- Summer Bank Holiday – 31 August
- Christmas Day – 25 December
- Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December
For future Bank Holidays, visit www.gov.uk/bank-holidays.
Beach - Brighton & Hove has a pebble beach, stretching from Hove Lagoon in the West to Brighton Marina in the East. Brighton also has a naturist beach.
Lifeguards patrol Brighton & Hove’s beaches from the end of May to the 1st weekend of September. Red and yellow flags are raised on patrolled beaches and represent safe swimming conditions, whilst red flags mean that it is unsafe to swim in the sea.
A number of basic showers are also available at points above the beach for those wishing to rinse off after a sea swim.
Bicycle hire – see Cycling.
British Summer Time (BST) - British Summer Time begins on the last Sunday of March and marks the time during which the clocks are advanced one hour from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). BST ends on the last Sunday of October.
Buses - Brighton & its surrounding areas are extremely well served by a comprehensive bus service. Brighton & Hove Bus Company runs the majority of the buses. A number of night buses are also regularly run.
If you are planning on making several bus journeys during one day it’s worth buying a Saver ticket, which allows for unlimited daytime travel on the Brighton & Hove buses network. Weekly Saver tickets are also available. Saver tickets are cheaper if bought in advance, there is also a special tourist fare between Brighton Station and the Royal Pavilion. Ask onboard for details. Short Hop fares are another option if you are not going far – again, ask the bus driver for details.
Visit www.buses.co.uk for full information and timetables.
Bureaux de change - There are several places across Brighton & Hove offering the opportunity to change currency including the Post Office. Contact Us to request a full list and do check rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
C
Camp sites - Housedean Farm Campsite is just 6 miles outside of the city centre with regular buses into town. For more details see our Camping & Caravan Sites page.
Car Hire - Most car hire firms insist drivers are over 21 years of age, with a minimum of one year’s driving experience, as well as a current and full driving license with no serious endorsements.
Car parks - There are plenty of car parks in Brighton & Hove. Those listed below are open 24 hours a day.
- Brighton Lanes (Town Hall) Car Park – Black Lion Street
- Trafalgar Street car Park
- Church Street Car Park
- Regency Square Car Park
- Churchill Square Car Park
See Brighton & Hove Council's Parking Pages for further car parking details, including parking charges.
Cemeteries - Brighton & Hove own and manage seven cemeteries. For a full list visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk.
Chemists – see Pharmacies
Churches – see Places of Worship.
Cinemas - Brighton has 4 cinemas - 2 multiplexes and 2 art house cinemas. These are detailed below:
- ODEON Brighton, West Street, BN1 2RE
- Cineworld, Brighton Marina, BN2 5UF
- Duke of Yorks Picturehouse, Preston Circus, BN1 4NA
- Dukes at Komedia, Gardner Street, BN1 1UN
Climate - See Temperature
Clothing sizes - In the UK women’s clothing sizes are traditionally indicated by numbers ranging from size 8 to 32. The list below details UK clothing sizes in comparison to their equivalents in the US and Europe.
- 8 (US 6 / Eur 38)
- 10 (US 8 / Eur 40)
- 12 (US 10 / Eur 42)
- 14 (US 12 / Eur 44)
- 16 (US 14 / Eur 46)
- 18 (US 16 / Eur 48)
- 20 (US 18 / Eur 50)
Coaches - National Express operates coach services between Brighton and London (journey time approx 2 hours, 20 minutes), as well as other destinations in England. Coaches depart from Pool Valley Coach Station, located just off Old Steine, near Brighton Pier.
Some of the services run by Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company to destinations in the south-east, including Arundel, Chichester and Littlehampton, also depart from Pool Valley.
Credit card loss - Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately to both your bank and the police. 24 hour phone lines for major credit cards are listed below:
- American Express - 01273 696 933
- Diners Club - 0870 190 0011
- Mastercard – 0800 964767
- Visa – 0800 891 725
Currency - The British currency is the pound Sterling (£). The pound is divided into 100 pence. Current coins are 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds. Current notes are the 5 pound, 10 pound, 20 pound and 50 pound note.
Customs - Citizens entering the UK from outside the EU are allowed:
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
- 2 litres of still table wine plus either 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% abv) or 2 litres of fortified wine (under 22% abv), sparkling wines or other liqueurs
- 60cc/ml of perfume, 250cc/ml of toilet water
- and goods to the value of no more than £145.
Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk to confirm details, as allowances may change.
Cycling - Cycling is easy in Brighton & Hove (although there are a few hills), with cycle lanes covering much of the city, including the seafront.
Visit the Brighton & Hove Council Cycling section for more information on cycling in the city, including maps & bike parking details.
For cycle hire see our Cycling page for a range of options.
D
Deck Chairs - Deck chairs are available for hire on Brighton & Hove lower promenades and beaches from May through to September. Contact the Seafront Office for details; there are also free deckchairs on Brighton Palace Pier.
Dental emergency - In a dental emergency, call the Dental Helpline on 0300 1000 899 and specify you are in pain. They will give you an appointment at one of several practices around Brighton & Hove.
Outside normal working hours, phone the emergency dental service in Brighton & Hove on 03000 24 25 48. This service is available from 17.30 - 22.30 on weekdays and from 09.00 - 17.30 on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
Disabled - see Accessibility
Doctors - Should you require a doctor whilst in the city, the Brighton Station drop-in centre caters to temporary residents and visitors:
- Brighton Station Health Centre, Aspect House, 84-87 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE, 01273 203058.
Open daily 08.00 - 20.00. Drop in centre - no appointment necessary www.brightonstationhealthcentre.co.uk
Dogs - For details on dog-friendly accommodation visit our Dog Friendly Brighton page.
Driving - If you are from overseas, remember that people drive on the left in the UK. Driving around Brighton is relatively easy, but as with most cities, it can become congested at peak times.
If you do decide to drive there are plenty of car parks dotted around (see Car Parks). However, on street parking can be difficult to find in the city centre for more details see the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
E
Electric Vehicle Charging Points - If you have an electric car Brighton & Hove has installed a number of on-street electric vehicle charging points across the city.
Electricity - The UK electricity supply is 220-240 volt, 50 cycle AC. Visitors from outside the UK will require an adaptor to run their own appliances such as hairdryers or phone chargers.
Embassies and consulates - For a list of embassies and consulate offices, consult the Yellow Pages (www.yell.com). All embassies and consulates are in London. Most (the US is an exception) do not accept callers without an appointment.
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Ferries - Brighton is only 1.5 – 2 hours, by motorway, from the major ports of Dover, Portsmouth and Southampton.
The nearby port of Newhaven (approximately 30 minutes from Brighton by train) also serves Northern France, with a regular direct ferry link from Dieppe.
Visit www.ldlines.co.uk for details of the Newhaven to Dieppe link.
You can also find more information in our Ferries section.
G
Gay – see LGBT.
Getting around - Brighton is a compact city that is easy to get around, so once you’re here, you might find it easiest to explore the city on foot. If not, the city is served by a comprehensive bus service and taxis are also easily available. Cycling is another ‘greener’, option.
Greeters - The Brighton Greeter scheme offers a great way to explore Brighton & Hove on foot, with a helping hand from a resident who is passionate about the city. A Brighton Greet lasts about 2 hours and is completely free.
See www.visitbrighton.com/greeters for more information and to book a greet.
Guided tours - Guided tours offer an informative way to see the culture and heritage of Brighton & Hove. From Blue Badge Guides to themed walks for more information see our Walking Tours page.
H
Hospitals - There are 2 main hospitals in Brighton:
- The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE. (01273 696955). The Royal Sussex County has a 24 hour casualty (A&E) department, which is situated on Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE.
- Brighton General Hospital, Elm Grove, BN2 3EW (01273 696955)
I
Internet access - Free public internet access is abundant in Brighton & Hove with 40 BT Wi-Fi hotspots across the city, for a map and further details see the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
Free wifi is available at Brighton’s Jubilee Library. You simply have to subscribe to the service online – no payment is required. There is also free wifi available in all Brighton & Hove City Council public buidlings.
L
Language Schools - Brighton & Hove has a great choice of language schools, most within easy access of the beach and city centre.
Check out our Language Schools page to find out more.
Launderettes - There are a number of launderettes in Brighton & Hove. For up-to-date listings check yell.com
Left Luggage - CityStasher has a network of friendly StashPoints where you can store your luggage, near the train station, The Lanes, Hove and by Brighton Palace Pier.
LGBT - Brighton & Hove has a thriving LGBT scene, much of it centred around the Kemptown area although the whole city is LGBT friendly.
For more details of LGBT friendly accommodation, pubs, clubs and things to do, explore our LGBT section.
Lesbian & Gay Switchboard - For LGBT support and information contact 01273 204050 or visit www.switchboard.org.uk.
Libraries - There are two main libraries in Brighton – these are detailed below:
- Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE (01273 290800/296969). Open: Mon, Tues & Thurs 10.00-19.00, Wed, Fri & Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 11.00-17.00.
- Hove Library, 182-186 Church Road, Hove, (01273 296937). Open: Mon 13.30-17.30, Tues 09.30-19.30, Wed-Sat 09.30-17.30, Sun 09.30-17.00.
For locations of other libraries visit www.citylibraries.info.
Lifeguards - Lifeguards patrol Brighton & Hove’s beaches from the end of May to the 1st weekend of September. Red and yellow flags are raised on patrolled beaches and represent safe swimming conditions, whilst red flags mean that it is unsafe to swim in the sea.
M
Maps – for free, downloadable maps of Brighton & Hove, visit our Maps section.
Marina - Brighton Marina is located 1 mile east of Brighton Pier. It is one of Europe’s largest marinas and, as well as a picturesque mooring place for boats and yachts, offers a popular shopping and entertainment complex.
Markets - Brighton & Hove offers a range of markets throughout the year. Some take place regularly, whilst others are seasonal. There are also a few permanent flea and second-hand markets dotted around the city as well as The Open Market on London Road.
Money – see Currency.
N
National Parks – the South Downs National Park is easily accessible from Brighton. An area of outstanding natural beauty, the area offers opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Go to www.southdowns.gov.uk to find out more.
Naturist Beach - Brighton made its own bit of seaside history on 1 April 1980, when it opened the first public naturist beach in the UK.
The naturist beach can be found at the eastern end of the main Brighton beach - approximately a 1 mile walk east of Brighton Pier towards Brighton Marina.
Signs indicate where the naturist beach commences and large banks of pebbles have been created to provide further demarcation / screening.
O
Opening Hours - In general, business hours are 09.30-17.30, Monday-Friday. Most shops are open 09.00-17.30, Monday to Saturday and 11.00-17.00 Sunday.
Churchill Square Shopping Centre stays open a little later – check www.churchillsquare.com for details.
During the week most pubs close at 23.00 but at weekends they will typically stay open later. However check individual businesses for specific times.
Opticians - Brighton & Hove offers the usual high street opticians or try Frames in the Lanes
P
Parking - See Brighton & Hove Council's Parking Pages for a list of car parks, including parking charges.
You can also find out more on our Parking page.
Pharmacies - There are independent pharmacies on most high streets and a large Boots in the city centre.
Places of Worship - Brighton offers an eclectic mix of churches and faith buildings that outdoes its size. As well as one of the finest collections of Victorian churches outside of London, the city has two synagogues, a Buddhist Centre and a mosque.
See our Places of Worship page for further details.
Police - In the unfortunate event that you are a victim of crime, call 101 (or 999 in an emergency). You can find Brighton Central Police Station at John Street, BN2 0LA. (www.sussex.police.uk). Open 08.00 - midnight and 10.00 to 18.00 on Bank Holidays.
Post Offices - Post Offices are usually open 09.00-17.00 Monday to Friday and 09.00 to noon on Saturdays. The main post office in Brighton is located in WHSmiths in Churchill Square Shopping Centre, or you can call 08457 23344 or check www.royalmail.com for your nearest branch.
Q
Queuing - Queuing is a bit of an institution in the UK and Brighton & Hove is no different.If you are going to a concert, waiting to buy a train or coach ticket, or boarding a bus, expect to wait in line!
R
Rail Travel - Brighton is served by the mainline railway station at Queen’s Road, BN1 3XP and Hove station at Goldstone Villas, BN3 3RU.
The city also has a few suburban rail stations, including London Road, Moulsecoomb and Falmer to the north east and Portslade and Aldrington to the west.
For rail fares and times contact:
- National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk.
For Eurostar and Eurotunnel fares and times visit :
- Eurostar: 08432 186186, www.eurostar.com
- Euro Tunnel: 0844 335 35 35, www.eurotunnel.com
S
Seafront Office - Brighton seafront office is open every day of the year and is located at 141 King’s Road Arches, Lower Esplanade, Brighton, BN1 2FN. (01273 292716). The office can help with general beach enquiries or in emergencies.
Sea water quality - For the latest sea water quality levels in Brighton refer to:
Sexual Health - The Brighton Department of sexual health and HIV is based in the outpatients department of the Royal Sussex County Hospital on Eastern Road. They offer a range of services including sexual health screening, and a gay & bisexual men's clinic. You do not need to be referred to use the service.
Visit www.brightonsexualhealth.com for further details. There is also a Contraception & Sexual Health Centre (CASH) in Morley Street Clinic, Nelson Place, Morley Street, BN2 9RE. 01273 242091or 242299). Drop in sessions are available and appointments can be made by telephone. Call for details.
Shopmobility - The Brighton & Hove Shopmobility Scheme provides electric scooters and manual and powered wheelchairs to members of the public with mobility issues. You can find Shopmobility at Churchill Square Car Park 1, Level P3, Regency Road, (01273 323239, www.bhfederation.org.uk)
Smoking - Smoking has been banned in enclosed public spaces across England, including all pubs and restaurants, since 2007. However, many cafes, bars and pubs have outside seating areas suitable for smoking.
Swimming - Sea swimming is common in Brighton, especially during the summer months. Red and yellow flags are raised on patrolled beaches and represent safe swimming conditions, whilst red flags mean that it is unsafe to swim in the sea.
Brighton also has a number of swimming pools. The main ones are located at:
- Prince Regent Swimming Complex, Church Street Brighton BN1 1YA (01273 685692)
- King Alfred Leisure Centre, Kingsway, Hove BN3 2WW (01273 290290).
T
Tax refunds - In the UK, Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on many goods and services. If you are visiting from another country you may be entitled to a refund of the VAT on goods you buy from shops that offer Tax Free Shopping (also known as the Retail Export Scheme). Tax Free Shopping allows travellers leaving the European Union (EU) to get a VAT refund on goods they buy here and take home. It cannot be used for services. Visit www.hmrc.gov.uk for further details.
Taxis - A quick way to get around the city, taxis are available 24 hours a day. There are a number of taxi ranks dotted around, with the main ones situated in East Street, Queen’s Square, near the Clock Tower, and outside Hove Town Hall. There are two types of licensed taxis operating in Brighton: Hackney carriage vehicles (white and aqua), which can be found on one of the taxi ranks or hailed from the streets or Private Hire taxis, which have to be booked in advance of your journey. Many taxis are wheelchair accessible. To hire a taxi try:
- Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs – 01273 204060, www.brightontaxis.com
- Brighton & Hove City Cabs - 01273 205205, www.205205.com
Telephones - The area code for Brighton is 01273 and must be used for all telephone calls, even if you are calling from within the city limits. International codes are as follows: Australia: 61; Belgium 32; Canada: 1; France: 33; Germany: 49; Ireland: 353; Italy:39; Japan: 81; Netherlands: 31; New Zealand: 64; Spain: 34; USA: 1. Public pay phones are available around the city – payment is usually via cash, phone card or credit card.
Temperature - Brighton & Hove has a temperate climate and, with its situation on the South Coast, enjoys warmer maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year than other areas of the UK. Expect average summer temperatures of 16-17 degrees C and average winter temperatures of around 6-7 degrees C.
Tide Timetables - For the latest Brighton tide times, please visit www.visitbrighton.com/plan-your-visit/tides
Time - Brighton operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Clocks go forward by one hour to run on British Summer Time on the last Saturday in March and return to GMT on the last Saturday in October.
Tipping - It is normal to tip 10-15% in taxis, restaurants and some bars, but it is not expected in pubs. Always check your bill before tipping, as some restaurants and bars automatically add a service charge to the bill.
Toilets - There are many public toilets (or ‘loos’) across the city. Visit Brighton & Hove City Council for toilet locations and opening times. Major department stores also offer customer toilets around the city centre. For accessible toilets, go to the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
Tourist Information - For general Brighton tourist information and details of where to stay and what to see and do in Brighton & Hove visit www.visitbrighton.com.
Alternatively, drop into one of the Visitor Information Points around the city or Contact Us.
If you have an iPhone or Android phone, download the official Brighton app – your essential mobile guide to the city.
Trains - Brighton is served by the mainline railway station at Queen’s Road, BN1 3XP and Hove station at Goldstone Villas, BN3 3RU. The city also has a few suburban rail stations, including London Road, Moulsecoomb and Falmer to the north east and Portslade and Aldrington to the west. For rail fares and times contact:
- National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950, www.nationalrail.co.uk.
For Eurostar and Eurotunnel fares and times visit :
- Eurostar: 08432 186186, www.eurostar.com
- Euro Tunnel: 0844 335 35 35, www.eurotunnel.com.
Travel Passes - If you are planning on making several bus journeys during one day it’s worth buying a saver ticket, which allows for unlimited daytime travel on the Brighton & Hove buses network. Weekly saver tickets are also available. Saver tickets are cheaper if bought in advance online at www.buses.co.uk.
If you are travelling to Brighton by train its worth considering a Plusbus ticket, which gives you cheap bus travel to and from the train station (and around town). See www.plusbus.info for details.
V
Vets - Should you require an emergency vet whilst in the city, try Vetcall, a 24 hour emergency veterinary care service in the Kemptown area of Brighton. 01273 621682, www.coastwayvets.co.uk.
Visas - EU citizens do not require a visa to visit the UK; citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand can also enter, without a visa, for tourist visits of up to six months, as long as they can demonstrate they can support themselves during their stay and plan to return to their own country.
Refer to www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration to check your visa status before you travel and to apply online.
Visitor Information - Brighton & Hove offer a friendly & knowledgeable Contact Centre, where visitors can get in touch wth via phone or email, as well as a range of staffed Visitor Information Points located at key spots around the city. The Visitor Information Points provide an array of leaflets & maps, plus information on where to stay, attractions, places to eat and drink & public transport. Find out more below.
Visitor Information Contact Service - For tourist information related telephone or email enquiries contact the Visitor Information Contact Service on 01273 290337 or visitor.info@visitbrighton.com.
Visitor Information Points - Brighton & Hove offers a network of 15 staffed Visitor Information Points (VIPS) across the city centre, offering help and advice, information about Brighton & Hove, and a selection of free literature and maps.
The Visitor Information Points are located at:
- Brighton Centre Box Office, King’s Road, Brighton
- Brighton Station Travel Centre, Queens Road, Brighton
- Brighton Toy & Model Museum, Trafalgar Street,Brighton
- Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton
- Grosvenor G Casino, King’s Road, Brighton
- Churchill Square, Western Road, Brighton
- St Paul’s Church, West Street, Brighton
- The Brighton Hotel, King’s Road, Brighton
- The Amsterdam Hotel, Marine Parade, Brighton
- Oh So Swedish, Unit 4, Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton
- Royal Pavilion Shop, Pavilion Buildings, Brighton
- Brighton Palace Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton
- Rottingdean Library, The Grange, Rottingdean
- The Old Ship Hotel, King's Road, Brighton
Opening times vary across the network - to check individual times please contact VisitBrighton on 01273 290337.
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Weather - Brighton & Hove has a temperate climate and, with its situation on the South Coast, enjoys warmer maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year than other areas of the UK. Expect average summer temperatures of 16-17 degrees C and average winter temperatures of around 6-7 degrees C.
Wheelchair Hire - Wheelchairs & scooters can be hired from the following organisations:
- Shopmobility, Churchill Square Car Park 1, Level P3, Regency Road, (01273 323239, www.bhfederation.org.uk)
- Red Cross, Equipment Loan, Unit 7, St Joseph's Business Park, St Joseph's Close, Hove (01273 227814).
- Clearwell Mobility Ltd, 61 Boundary Road, Hove (01273 424224).
- Scooter Mobility Hire – (01273 699603, www.scootermobilityhire.co.uk)
Special ‘beach friendly’ wheelchairs are also available from the seafront office at 141 King’s Road Arches on the Lower Esplanade in Brighton. (01273 292716).They are free to use, with a £25 refundable deposit. Booking is advised.
Wireless (Wi-Fi) internet access - Free public internet access is abundant in Brighton & Hove with 40 BT Wi-Fi hotspots across the city, for a map and further details see the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
Free wifi is available at Brighton’s Jubilee Library. You simply have to subscribe to the service online – no payment is required. There is also free wifi available in all Brighton & Hove City Council public buidlings.
