Schmap Brighton Neighborhood Guide

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Brighton - Neighborhood Guide
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Brighton Home
Schmap Brighton guide and map

Brighton rises from the glittering seafront to the protective South Downs, with Beachy Head to the east and Worthing Point to the west, basking in one of the sunniest climates in the country. Brighton is often described as "London-by-the Sea", but this moniker does not do it justice. Brighton is about freedom. There is the obvious freedom provided by the wealth of leisure and entertainment facilities - the interweaving streets are lined with original and atmospheric bars, clubs and restaurants, and during the summer the beach front attains a festival-like ambience on a daily basis.

However, if you take a closer look beyond the hedonistic pleasures that Brighton has to offer, an astonishing diversity, warmth and sense of community shines through. There is real freedom here through expression of individuality, tolerance of different ways of life, and an invigorating entrepreneurial spirit. Whatever your interest, be it sport, theatre, eating out, clubbing or just strolling down the promenade taking it all in, Brighton will not let you go away disappointed.

Hitting the Beach

Let's start at Brighton Station once you have stepped off the train. So head straight out of the station and down the hill. This is Queens Road, and its best attraction is The Tamarind Tree, a terrific Caribbean restaurant. Veering off the road east would take you into the heart of the North Laine and on toward Kemp Town; west to the residential areas of Seven Dials, Montpelier and eventually Hove, but there's plenty of time for all that. You will soon arrive at a crossroads, centred around Brighton Clock Tower.

Shopaholics will spy Churchill Square shopping centre to their right, but the sea is now clearly visible straight on, so keep going. Once past the Clock Tower the road becomes West Street, and to the east now is the entry to The Lanes down Duke Street. Lovers of shamelessly commercial dance music take note of the Paradox club to the left and the Event II on the right. Also on the right is the multi-screen Odeon Cinema. But now the sea is at your fingertips, so cross the road and drink in the view.

To the east lies Brighton Pier (formerly Palace Pier), all flashing lights, funfair rides, candyfloss and cheeky good times. Just behind Brighton Pier look out for the acclaimed Sealife Centre. To the west the battered yet beautiful West Pier represents the elegance, decadence and rich cultural diversity of this seaside town. Drop down onto the seafront between the piers and explore. If the sun is out it should be pretty lively. There are the volleyball and basketball courts, a new paddling pool and play area (currently under construction) for those looking for activity. There may be a band playing al fresco at The Ellipse.

For a drink try The Beach, Gemini Beach Bar or the Fortune of War. Hungry? Try Alfresco, The Honeyclub or the The Boardwalk. For cultural points of interest, visit the Fishing Museum, the seafront Artists' Quarter with its open galleries and shops, and the marvellous Museum of Penny Slot Machines under Brighton Pier. Above all, walk, relax and take it all in.

You can walk west along the promenade all the way to Hove Lagoon and beyond. Walking to the east takes in the varied delights of the electric powered Volk's Railway, the Concorde 2 venue and the Naturist Beach. Keep going and you will get to Brighton Marina and you can continue on an undercliff walk along the beach all the way to Saltdean.

If this all sounds too energetic, then why not head for the shops, swiftly followed by the bars.

The City Centre

Brighton is the one of the best places to shop, eat and drink in the world. Start back at the Clock Tower. Directly west is Western Road, which is home to most of the major chains: Marks and Spencer, Gap, HMV and Oddbins to name a few. It also contains Churchill Square, a superior shopping centre whose highlights include Border's Books and Music, Virgin Megastore and Habitat.

Adjacent to Churchill Square is the Western Front, a landmark in Brighton bar culture. On the way down Western Road check out the Pull and Pump pub, sample fine French cuisine at La Fourchette or wander down Preston Street for a mex-tex feast at Dig In the Ribs or something else from one of the many restaurants along this road.

The Lanes

From the Clock Tower turn east down, confusingly, North Street. A short way down is Ship Street on the right. This is a good place to enter The Lanes area. Packed with bars, restaurants and shops, all I can say here is explore - there is too much good stuff to mention. Don't miss the Cricketer's pub, Food for Friends and Terre a Terre veggie restaurants and Casablanca nightclub.

North Laine

Back on to North Street, continue down the hill and turn left at Bond Street. This brings you into the North Laine area. This is Brighton's "alternative" area and is even more chock-a-block with goodies. Komedia arts centre has loads of great attractions, Wai Kika Moo Kau is a top lunch destination and the Mash Tun is an essential Brighton bar.

Returning once again to North Street, head down to its foot and to your left you will find the stunning Royal Pavilion. Walk through the grounds and see what's on at the Dome Theatre, and out the other side to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery on Church Street.

Hove, Kemp Town and North Brighton

The above is the Brighton most visitors see. There is so much to do in this central area that many do not venture further afield, but they are missing a lot. Hove boasts some of the area's most magnificent architecture; you simply must visit Brunswick Square and Palmeira Square. It is also home to Sussex County Cricket ground and some great restaurants: try Saucy and Aumthong Thai.

In north Brighton, you should try and squeeze in a visit to the Duke of York's Cinema, stroll through Preston Park and take either Dyke Road or Ditchling Road up to the top of the South Downs.

Do also try and explore Kemp Town. There is so much great Regency era architecture and a community spirit that epitomises Brighton life as much as anywhere alongside a few more bars, restaurants and shops.

This is the tip of the iceberg. The best thing to do is get a map of the area (free ones are available from Brighton Tourist Information Centre in Bartholomew Square) and trawl through this wonderful website. Check out the Where to Stay guide and book yourself in for a week; you'll have the time of your life.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

City Centre

Brighton
United Kingdom

Brighton is the one of the best places to shop, eat and drink in the world. Start back at the Clock Tower. Directly west is Western Road, which is home to most of the major chains: Marks and Spencer, Gap, HMV and Oddbins to name a few. It also contains Churchill Square, a superior shopping centre whose highlights include Border's Books and Music, Virgin Megastore and Habitat.

Adjacent to Churchill Square is the Western Front, a landmark in Brighton bar culture. On the way down Western Road check out the Pull and Pump pub, sample fine French cuisine at La Fourchette or wander down Preston Street for a mex-tex feast at Dig In the Ribs or something else from one of the many restaurants along this road.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Kate

Hove

Brighton
United Kingdom
The above is the Brighton most visitors see. There is so much to do in this central area that many do not venture further afield, but they are missing a lot. Hove boasts some of the area's most magnificent architecture; you simply must visit Brunswick Square and Palmeira Square. It is also home to Sussex County Cricket ground and some great restaurants: try Saucy and Aumthong Thai.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: James C
Photo: Max Okojie
Photo: Anyhoo
Photo: Adam
Photo: Edward Moore

Kemp Town/East Brighton

Brighton
United Kingdom
Do also try and explore Kemp Town. There is so much great Regency era architecture and a community spirit that epitomises Brighton life as much as anywhere alongside a few more bars, restaurants and shops.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Paul Silver
Photo: Nigel Chatfield
Photo: Ian Grundy
Photo: Kati_Hallett
Photo: Paul Ewing
Photo: meri everitt
Photo: Stephen Burch
Photo: manel ortega

Photo: helen mcdonald
Photo: ldude32
Photo: Steve Jones
Photo: Jeff and Amy
Photo: Jef BOUQUET
Photo: Cheryl Lipscombe
Photo: Patrick McGrorty

North Laine

Brighton
United Kingdom
Back on to North Street, continue down the hill and turn left at Bond Street. This brings you into the North Laine area. This is Brighton's "alternative" area and is even more chock-a-block with goodies. Komedia arts centre has loads of great attractions, Wai Kika Moo Kau is a top lunch destination and the Mash Tun is an essential Brighton bar.

Returning once again to North Street, head down to its foot and to your left you will find the stunning Royal Pavilion. Walk through the grounds and see what's on at the Dome Theatre, and out the other side to Brighton Museum and Art Gallery on Church Street.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: idleformat
Photo: sabinebrix
Photo: Dan Slessor
Photo: Lois N
Photo: Lewie Evans
Photo: Hannah Fortune
Photo: Justin Pickard
Photo: Melissa Phillips

Photo: spin_dr_wolf
Photo: chouchou77
Photo: saraflorence
Photo: Sharon Hall
Photo: Lucy Gardner
Photo: Kevin Grimes
Photo: Keith Welch
Photo: BRIGHTON ROCKS!

Photo: inrepose
Photo: Simon Coombes

The Lanes

Brighton
United Kingdom
From the Clock Tower turn east down, confusingly, North Street. A short way down is Ship Street on the right. This is a good place to enter The Lanes area. Packed with bars, restaurants and shops, all I can say here is explore - there is too much good stuff to mention. Don't miss the Cricketer's pub, Food for Friends and Terre a Terre veggie restaurants and Casablanca nightclub.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Christine Ng
Photo: Mary Gerard
Photo: Ian-S
Photo: Spike Padley
Photo: aethendas
Photo: Dan M
Photo: Vanessa
Photo: Dawn Bailey

Photo: Miss Sarah Storer
Photo: HIAB-X
Photo: NEWCagneyandLacey
Photo: Heather Roberts LRPS
Photo: aaronabend
Photo: Wayne Gao
Photo: Trisna Theijs
Photo: Abby Thompson

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Brighton - Neighborhood Guide"
Brighton
Brighton - Historical Background
Brighton - Where to Stay
Brighton - Dining & Drinking
Brighton - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
London (79 miles)
Southampton (88 miles)
Oxford (128 miles)
Cambridge (155 miles)
Bath (165 miles)
Bristol (185 miles)
Birmingham (221 miles)
Cardiff (227 miles)
Paris (273 miles)
Plymouth (287 miles)

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