Brighton & Hove Seafront Guide: From Hove to Kemp Town

Welcome to Brighton & Hove's Seafront

Whether you're a visitor exploring the city or a local rediscovering your neighbourhood, Brighton & Hove's seafront is one of the most distinctive stretches of the English coast. The pebble beach runs continuously from Hove in the west to Kemp Town in the east, free to access year-round and packed with attractions, memories, and character.

Hove: The Quieter End

Start your seafront journey in Hove, the calmer, more residential western half of the city (postcodes starting BN3). Hove Lawns is a gentler spot to settle, with plenty of space to breathe. The seafront here feels less crowded than further east, making it perfect for a peaceful walk or a seaside sit-down. Just inland, Church Road and George Street offer local shops and cafes without the bustle of the city centre.

Brighton Palace Pier and Beyond

As you head east, you'll reach the unmissable Brighton Palace Pier, which has welcomed visitors since 1899. The pier stretches 1,722 feet out to sea and is free to walk on—you only pay if you want to enjoy the rides and amusements. It remains an iconic photo spot and a proper seaside experience.

Just to the west of the Palace Pier, the haunting skeletal remains of the West Pier are visible from the beach. This Grade I listed structure cannot be rebuilt, making it a poignant reminder of Brighton's Victorian heritage.

Seawater Attractions

Near the Palace Pier, SeaLife Brighton offers an aquarium experience for families and curious visitors. Further along the seafront, Volk's Electric Railway invites you aboard the world's oldest operating electric railway—a unique way to travel along the promenade and step back into history.

If you're into sports, Yellowave provides beach volleyball and a sociable, active atmosphere right by the sea.

Kemp Town: Energy and Pride

Continue east and you'll reach Kemp Town, Brighton's LGBTQ+ hub and the city's most vibrant eastern quarter. Stunning Regency terraces like Lewes Crescent and Sussex Square line the seafront, with their distinctive curved white facades. The neighbourhood feels energetic and welcoming year-round, and it's the epicentre of Brighton Pride each August—a celebration that attracts 300,000–400,000 visitors.

Beyond the Beach

The seafront is just the starting point. Just inland, you'll find:

• The Royal Pavilion: a jaw-dropping Regency palace with Indian and Mughal architecture. Entry is around £20, though the gardens are free to wander.
• The Lanes: historic medieval alleyways packed with jewellery shops, independent boutiques, and English's of Brighton, a legendary seafood restaurant operating since 1945.
• North Laine: a bohemian shopping quarter north of Brighton station, full of independent shops, the Komedia venue, and a Saturday market.

Practical Essentials

Brighton station connects the seafront to London Victoria (roughly 50 minutes) and Gatwick Airport (about 30 minutes), making the coast easily accessible by train.

Whether you're here for a day trip, a weekend getaway, or you live locally, the seafront offers endless opportunities to walk, sit, explore, and simply be by the sea. The beach is free, the air is fresh, and the character is unmistakably Brighton.