There was a long weekend/Bank holiday in London recently and I found myself with 3 wonderfully work-free days and no plans, what a treat! So, I decided to tick off a day trip I’ve been wanting to take for a while – to Brighton on the English coast. Brighton is just over an hour out of London and easy to get to by train, which makes it the perfect day trip destination. It’s eclectic and retro and charming, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander down winding lanes and past merry-go-rounds on the beach.
How to spend a day in Brighton, England
- Head off early! This may well be my best tip of all! Aim to get to Brighton pre-10am and you’ll have a few hours of relative quiet before the crowds descend. Weekend + nice weather = every man and his dog will be in Brighton!
- If you’re anything like me, a good coffee is essential on any day trip (or just on any day, let’s be honest), so a stop at Trading Post Coffee Roasters is essential – their coffee is to die for and they have some great menu selections too
- Make your way to the shorefront to sit and enjoy being by the ocean. One of the benefits of arriving early is that you’ll have the beach to yourself for a few hours. Although it’s not quite a sandy Aussie beach, it’s pretty beautiful and the salt air is so refreshing. You can also explore the shops along the water front, they’re chock-a-block full of handmade and local products
- Take a step back in time at the Brighton Palace Pier. The pier certainly adds to the charm of the town, having been around for more than a century, and is a must see. There are arcade games, fairground rides and food stalls selling all your fair-faves
- Pick up some picnic essentials at Barney’s Delicatessen on Kensington Gardens (I’m talking cheese, bread, olives, the works) and then make your way to Royal Pavilion Gardens to sit (hopefully in the sun) and enjoy your delicious buys *drool*
- Spend a few hours wandering through the cutest little shopping lanes in Brighton. Some of the streets I loved were The Lanes, Dukes Lane, Gardner Street, Upper Gardner Street and Kensington Gardens. If you love antiques and vintage-wares like me, then checking out Snoopers Paradise is another must – I could literally spend hours in this shop alone!
- If you find yourself strolling down Gardner Street (and I really recommend you do), go to Photomatic Photobooth Emporium and really embrace the retro-ness of Brighton by getting some photo booth prints to commemorate your day trip! Don’t be afraid to do this alone if you’re a solo traveller like me!
- While you’re cruising through the streets of Brighton, make sure you keep an eye out for the pops of street art that add to the character of this beautiful town. There are some stunning artworks that will sneak up and surprise you . You can even find Banksy’s famed kissing policemen if you look hard enough.
- There are some gorgeous buildings in Brighton so while you’re trying to spy some awesome street art, pay attention to the architecture too. I had so much fun snapping pics of the buildings and the art all over town.
- Before heading home, you must get an ice cream from Boho Gelato. They have two stores in Brighton and while there might be a line if it’s a busy day, please stick it out because it’s worth it! They also have some vegan flavours which is an added bonus.
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