Skip to main content

Our favorite places in Brighton, England

A far cry from any exotic beach paradise, the British seaside is all about other joys. Perhaps the most famous and culturally emerging coastal destination in the UK, Brighton, England possesses a pulsating art scene, a throbbing independent retail culture, and the best fish and chips you’ll ever eat. And they’ve got a Pavilion that rivals the Taj Mahal. Honestly.

PLAY

Recommended Videos

Who doesn’t like seeing a city from the sky. Step into the new (and terribly phallic) British Airways i360 and glide up 450 feet into the air and gaze upon 26 miles of England in the world’s first vertical cable car.

No trip to Brighton is complete without a whirl around the iconic and eccentric Brighton Pavilion. Built in 1815 as a complete Orientalist folly for the Prince of Whales, this isn’t your average house tour. Be sure to look up in the banqueting room to check out the massive dragon clutching onto the chandelier.

i360-vertical-cable-car-940x600
Inside the i360 Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you want to explore the land you peeped from the i360, head over to the South Downs National Park for miles of hiking trails through the hills and valleys.

SHOP

Brighton days are best spent scouring the Lanes for antique treasure, frequenting ancient pubs, and sampling fresh organic fare in the many neo-bohemian cafes. Don’t miss the cavernous Snooper’s Paradise on the North Lane for mid nineteenth-century interiors where you can pick up Victorian fire stokers and genuine military wear.

Snoopers-Paradise-940x600
Treasure hunting at Snoopers Paradise Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the best in British menswear, stop by the Badger Clothing Company Ltd on Bond Street for casual clothing from Barbour, Fred Perry and Penguin.

Of a similar sartorial ilk, Peggs and Son’s selection of brands are a little more far-reaching. Think fine Japanese denim and slick Scandinavian shirting.

EAT & DRINK

As the evening approaches, take a stroll along the seafront and head to Riddle and Fins for an authentic Brit seafood experience recommended by Gordon Ramsay. The catch of the day is always subject to an inventive interpretation and the champagne and oysters are seriously slurp worthy. In the summer time, perch along the front bar and witness the chef in action.

Riddle-and-Fins-940x600
Seafood is the way to go at Riddle and Fins Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you fancy something a little more exotic, Casa Don Carlos is a hugely popular Spanish Tapas restaurant that is eternally full to the rafters. The menu is extensive and the staff are  seriously helpful with making selections; book early to avoid disappointment.

Brighton comes alive at night and the nightlife options are endless. A whisky drinker’s paradise, The Great Eastern boasts a whopping sixty varieties; We recommend the Elmer T variety for a super smooth ending to your day.

SLEEP

Hotel-du-Vin-Brighton-940x600
Hotel du Vin – a happy place to pass out after too much whiskey Image used with permission by copyright holder

For an opulent stay, we recommend the Hotel du Vin. Steeped in quintessentially British style, this stylish yet unpretentious guesthouse is located within the heart of the Lanes, Brighton’s most revered streets for bona fide Brit boozers and awesome eateries. For the ultimate splurge, The Manual suggests the Louis Roederer suite which features twin sea-facing bathtubs and a strategically placed telescope for checking out the stunning marine vista. What’s more, each room is sponsored by a different wine company…

Jodie Kharas
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jodie Kharas is a style, art and culture writer who lives in London. She has contributed to the online platforms of POP…
This Spanish region was just named Europe’s top wine tasting destination
Rioja, Spain comes out on top
Rioja, Spain

Wine lovers, take note. Rioja, Spain has just been crowned the top wine tasting destination in Europe for 2025, and it’s not hard to see why. The team at Quotezone put together their Vineyard Mini-Break Index by diving into the details that matter most for wine tourists, including winery tour costs, hotel prices, local weather, and international wine awards. The result? Rioja poured its way right to the top of the list.

Known as the largest wine region in Spain, Rioja boasts over 600 wineries and more than 65,000 hectares of vineyards. But beyond its sheer size, the region stands out for being surprisingly affordable. The average winery tour will only set you back about $24 USD, and you can snag a good bottle of wine for just $28 USD, making it a wine lover’s paradise that doesn’t break the bank.

Read more
I stopped overpacking and used the 333 method — the results surprised me
Here’s what happened when I embraced minimalist packing
open suitcase with clothes packed inside

Did you know that 40% of people say they have come home from vacation with clothes they didn’t wear? 

I’ll admit it, I’ve been known to stuff my suitcase with options “just in case,” only to come home with half of it untouched. 

Read more
This tiny U.S. state is the most chaotic place to drive, study says
Rhode Island came out on top
cars in traffic

Think your daily commute is bad? According to a new study, Rhode Island has officially been crowned the most chaotic place to drive in the U.S.

The team at eSpatial crunched the numbers using government data and real-time traffic insights, measuring every state across five key categories: traffic congestion, road satisfaction, pothole complaints, total road fatalities, and speeding-related deaths. After tallying it all up, tiny Rhode Island came out on top, or rather, the bottom, earning the title of America’s most stressful place to hit the road.

Read more