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Brighton is a vibrant small city on the south coast of the English Channel. Just a short hop from London, it only takes around 50 minutes to get there by train from London Victoria. If you are looking for a bit of variety beyond what the capital has to offer, it could be the perfect place for your family to get a breath of fresh sea air while in the U.K.
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The Brighton Palace Pier
The Brighton Palace Pier has pretty much a whole fairground packed onto it, and I almost have to wonder how it hasn’t sunk into the English Channel! There are so many rides to choose from that visitors could spend a good chunk of the day here with kids of all ages. My three-year-old loved the Minion ride, the Dragon Fly, and the Cup ‘n’ Saucer. For older thrill-seekers, the Turbo Coaster and the Air Race should provide a satisfying adrenaline rush. There is also an arcade area with a wide range of arcade games available. Various food and drink options are available on the Brighton Pier, but they do tend to be a bit more expensive than elsewhere.
Brighton Pier in the Sunshine – Photo by Ben Guerin on Unsplash
The Royal Pavilion
I love Jane Austen, and if the Regency glamour of Pride and Prejudice or Bridgerton is also your cup of tea, then the Pavilion should be high on the list. The Pavilion certainly gives the decadence of Queen Charlotte’s wig collection a good run for its money. It would be easy to believe that the Pavilion was conjured by a genie, ripped from a far flung corner of the earth to satisfy the demands of an impulsive wish-maker. This fantastical building sits in the center of town and seems both completely out of place and perfectly at home at the same time. The outer design was inspired by Mughal Indian architecture, and often draws comparisons with the Taj Mahal. Built by King George IV as his pleasure palace on the coast, the building was purchased by the city of Brighton from Queen Victoria and is now a museum. Visitors can book a visit or guided tour, or even an afternoon tea package. The interior is just as stunning as the outside, and is decorated in a Chinese-influenced style.
The Pavilion Gardens is a small park surrounding the Pavilion. There are often buskers, mimes, magicians, or other entertainers who perform there. We enjoyed sitting on the grass with a coffee in the sun, and it is a nice spot to stop for a picnic on a sunny day. To the side of the gardens is the Brighton Dome. Once the stables for the Pavilion building, it is now a venue for live music and various community events that take place here throughout the year.
The Royal Pavilion, a fantasy palace in the heart of the city – Photo by Hert Niks on Unsplash
The Laines and The North Laine
A quirky network of streets between the center of town and the station, the Laines offer something for everyone. Part of this area is fully pedestrianized, and it’s a great place to shop at independent boutiques, confectionery shops, crystal shops, or my favorite, the Snooper’s Paradise flea market, which has two floors of vintage finds and antique clothing, furniture, books, and trinkets. We found some wonderful shops for children’s clothes in this area and a toy shop with some unique, British-made hand puppets for our three-year-old. Teens will love the crystal shops and funky boutiques. There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and pubs. We really appreciated having a stroller for walking around Brighton and naps on the go with our toddler.
The North Laine is a labyrinth of small alleyways weaving between the Pavilion and the seafront, a maze of designer shops and boutiques, cute cafes, and tempting restaurants. There are so many antique furniture and jewelry shops in this area featuring work from local artists. We enjoyed window shopping here, but it would be a really great place to shop for a special item or one-of-a-kind gift.
Take a wander through the North Laine – Photo by Evgeny Klimenchenko on Unsplash
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Brighton Beach and Seafront
One of the best places to do in Brighton is actually just to have a wander and explore, try some “Brighton Rock”, the peppermint rock candy that gave its name to Graham Greene’s famous novel, or stop in for refreshments at one of a number of cafes and restaurants in the arches below the promenade. My daughter was obsessed with riding on the carousel on the boardwalk, so much so that she still talks about it pretty regularly.
The arches are a row of shops, cafes, bars and galleries along the boardwalk below the promenade, and are also home to the Brighton Fishing Museum, which is free! Brighton began as a small fishing town, and this small museum houses many fishing artifacts, boats, and stories from the town’s fishing history.
Nearby, the Brighton Marina is a lively waterfront spot with shops, eateries, bars, and a working harbour—a perfect place to wander, grab a bite, or just soak in more seaside vibes.
The pebbles are definitely not as soft on the feet as the sands of California – Photo by Rad Ana on Unsplash
The BA i360
The BA i360 is an observation tower located on Brighton’s seafront that rises 450 ft into the sky and gives panoramic views of the town and coastline. They regularly schedule special ticketed events for drinks and dining, which could be a unique experience for a date night if you have older kids or if the hotel you are staying at offers babysitting options.
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West Pier and Starling Murmeration
That’s right, this town has two piers! Although the West Pier was largely destroyed in a fire a number of years ago, its blackened skeleton still remains. For nature enthusiasts, this location holds a special treat. Between the months of November and February, thousands of starlings that migrate to the area for the winter months perform their murmuration, a coordinated V-shaped flight across the sky. The half hour leading up to sunset is one of the best times to see it. We took a stroll along the promenade, headed towards Hove, as we watched the dusk creep in. The pier’s black frame was starkly outlined against skies streaked with pastel-colored clouds. The starlings danced across the sky, undulating in waves in perfect unison. It truly is a show not to be missed.
West Pier outlined against the sunset – Photo by Harry Shelton on Unsplash
Seven Sisters Country Park
The startlingly beautiful white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters are well worth a visit if you plan a longer stay in the Brighton area, and would like a glimpse of the British countryside. If travelling by car, it’s roughly a 30-minute drive out of town to reach the Seven Sisters Country Park at Cuckmere Haven, but there are also regular buses.
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This wetland area is a floodplain for the Cuckmere River as it rushes to join the English Channel, and is fantastic for walking and bird-spotting. My three-year-old daughter found the gentle trail from the parking lot to the beach at Cuckmere Haven very manageable. For older kids, the steep path that takes you up from the beach along the chalk-faced cliff itself is an exhilarating walk and offers breathtaking and far-reaching views. It’s also a good way to work up an appetite for a tasty pub lunch afterwards.
Working up an appetite for a hearty pub lunch – Photo by Marc Najera on Unsplash
When You Go
Getting To Brighton From Los Angeles/London
London Gatwick (LGW) is closer to Brighton (approx. 30 miles), with direct train links via Gatwick Express or Southern Railway. London Heathrow (LHR) is about 60 miles away, requiring a longer transfer (e.g., RailAir coach to Reading + train, or Coach to Heathrow and train to Brighton). Non-stop flights are available via British Airways, American Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. Norse Atlantic UK offers competitive rates to LGW. Direct flights from LAX to London are typically 10 to 11 hours.
From Gatwick (LGW), the easiest method is the direct train, which takes about 30-40 minutes. From Heathrow (LHR), take the Heathrow Express to London Paddington and then a train to London Victoria, followed by a direct train to Brighton, or take a direct National Express coach, which takes longer but is direct.
We took the train from Victoria Station to Brighton. It took roughly 50 minutes, making it an easy option for a day trip and for returning to London at night.
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Where to stay in Brighton
If you decide on a longer stay in Brighton, the town has a lot of accommodation options to offer. We liked The Queens Hotel as it has great sea views and a lovely pool and spa, which, for us, was a nice way to start the day with an early-rising, still somewhat jet-lagged toddler.
Hotel Una is another stylish option with gorgeous views of The Palace Pier. If you want a quirkier yet high-end stay with excellent food options, Hotel Du Vin is a gorgeous Gothic-style hotel (complete with gargoyles). All of these are within a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride from Brighton Station.
Brighton really is a fun day escape or longer getaway—whether you’re chasing thrills on the pier, soaking in history at the Pavilion, browsing local artists’ works, or exploring the Brighton Marina. On clear days, it’s glorious with endless seafront strolls, but even on rainy days, there are great things to do indoors, like visiting the Royal Pavilion, Sea Life Brighton, or cozy cafes in the Laines. And if you’re around during the cooler months, keep an eye out for magical winter light experiences or nearby winter flower shows that brighten things up beautifully. It’s a good place to meet new people, enjoy a little bit of everything, and make lasting memories!
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