Brighton & Hove Seafront Guide: What to See and Do from Hove to Kemp Town
Walk the length of Brighton's pebble beach, from Hove's quieter western stretch to Kemp Town's colourful east, discovering piers, cafés, shops and attractions along the way.
Getting Started on the Seafront
Brighton's pebble beach is free to access and stretches the length of the city from Hove in the west to Kemp Town in the east. It's a natural starting point whether you're local or visiting. The beach itself is open year-round, and walking the full length gives you a real sense of how the city changes neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Hove: The Quieter West
Start in Hove if you want a gentler pace. The western stretch of seafront near Hove Lawns is less crowded than central Brighton, with plenty of space to sit or walk. Hove itself is the quieter half of the city, and back from the beach you'll find Church Road and George Street with independent cafés and shops worth browsing.
Brighton Palace Pier and Central Seafront
The Palace Pier opened in 1899 and remains the star attraction. It's 1,722 feet long and free to walk onto. The pier itself costs nothing to explore, though the rides and amusements have their own charges. From here, you can see the ruins of West Pier to the west, a Grade I listed structure that's part of the city's heritage even though it cannot be rebuilt.
SeaLife Brighton, an aquarium, sits near the Palace Pier on the seafront and is worth a visit if you're interested in marine life. Close by, Yellowave offers beach volleyball and other seaside sports if you fancy getting active.
Historic Transport: Volk's Electric Railway
For something genuinely different, Volk's Electric Railway runs along the seafront. It's the world's oldest operating electric railway and offers a charming way to travel a stretch of the beach without walking. It's a local institution and a fun, affordable experience.
Shops and Food Near the Front
The Lanes, a network of historic medieval alleyways just back from the seafront, are packed with independent jewellery shops, vintage stores and restaurants. English's of Brighton, a seafood restaurant established in 1945, sits in The Lanes and is worth knowing about if you want proper local dining.
North Laine, further north beyond Brighton station, is the city's bohemian shopping quarter with independent boutiques, record shops and the Komedia venue. There's a Saturday market too if you time your visit right.
Kemp Town: The Eastern Stretch
Kemp Town is Brighton's eastern neighbourhood and the heart of the LGBTQ+ community. Beautiful Regency terraces line the area, particularly around Lewes Crescent and Sussex Square. The seafront here feels different to the central pier area: quieter and more residential, but with its own character. August's Brighton Pride is centred here and attracts 300,000 to 400,000 people, making it a significant event for the city.
Beyond the Seafront
While you're on the coast, it's worth knowing that the Royal Pavilion is just inland from the seafront, north of the Palace Pier. This Regency palace with distinctive Indian and Mughal architecture charges around £20 for entry, though the gardens are free.
If you're staying longer, Preston Park is the largest free park in the city and sits north of the seafront, offering green space, sports facilities and a proper break from the beach.
Getting Here
Brighton station connects to London Victoria (around 50 minutes) and Gatwick (around 30 minutes), making the seafront accessible whether you're arriving by train or already living in the city.