It’s a city that will be up there as one of your favourite spots in the UK. They twist through a ravine of painted two-storey buildings, which differ more to Brighton Regency and Victorian townhouses. It’s actually three venues (Concert Hall, Corn Exchange, Studio Theatre) and the whole complex is connected to the Royal Pavilion by an underground tunnel, apparently built so the overweight George IV could visit the royal stables unseen. And as a bonus: it’s a perfect thing to do in Brighton when it rains because it’s a covered market. The Sea Life centre in Brighton is in the world’s oldest operating aquarium. For three weeks every May there’s a feast of music, dance, theatre, film, art circus and family events, held at both established and out of the ordinary pop-up venues around the city. With a trip to Brighton, there’s Hove next door, getting lost in the jumble of The Lanes, and dancing in hidden nightclubs to look forward to. Don’t go to the beach when you’re wasted (not a good idea)… Drinking-based dangers, basically. Did we mention you can play Pac-Man here, too? Close to shops, restaurants, awesome bars, and clubs, you can enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere just minutes from Brighton’s vibrant and colorful city center. It’s hands down THE best thing to do in Brighton with kids. It’s also a great place to go shopping, especially if you like chic design, obscure food and hunting for antiques. Staying in Brighton isn’t just about, you know, staying in Brighton. You may therefore need an adapter. You’ll embark on a 20-25-minute ride in a large pod with 360° panoramas 162 metres above the city and coast. The sort of city where there used to be a pub on every single corner (and there are still quite a few), Portsmouth is a mixed bag of working class neighbourhoods, the affluent area of Southsea, newly developed shopping meccas, naval history and all the night-time fun of a university town. Face. A short walk to the beach, this apartment is close to Hove Station and well connected to the rest of Brighton. The museum holds collections of decorative art, natural sciences, fine art, world art, costumes and textiles, oral history, toys, film and more, all stylishly presented in absorbing galleries. There’s all sorts going on here, and not just super funny stand-up comedy from up and coming talents. Brighton also has a large LGBT community, and 400,000 people come to the city for the annual Brighton Pride in August. It shows in just about every facet of the city, from the food to the nightlife, making it a super fun place to be. You’ll probably arrive back in Brighton in the early evening. Here’s where to head when it’s sheeting it down. This Neo-Gothic church was built in the first half of the 1870s and makes an impression for the unusual height of its nave. Today it’s frequented by visitors after a glimpse inside its quaint replica rooms, art galleries and very impressive grounds. Back when Brighton was the tiny fishing village of Brighthelmstone, Old Steine Gardens was the village green with a stream running through it. Visiting this fine establishment is one of the best things to do in Brighton at night. Yes, at 450 feet tall, the viewing deck of this tower rotates down to the bottom to pick you up, then whirls you up to the top for amazing views of Brighton, the South Downs, the English Channel – and you might even be able to see the Isle of Wight if the weather’s good. If you’re in Brighton on a weekend, the Lanes is positively buzzing. But it’s not all nature. More information. Opening at 10am the Royal Pavilion is a good place to start your day. Every self-respecting Brightonian considers themselves a Grubbs aficionado. We recommend a local pub lunch with proper “pub grub” – as it’s called – at The Chimney House, a mere 7 minute stroll from the museum. Brighton is the kind of place you visit that makes you think, “Yeah, I could live here.” It has that vibe to it. At the centre, bordered by flowerbeds is the cast iron and sandstone Victoria Fountain, erected in 1847 to commemorate the queen’s accession to the throne. The hills around the valley climb to 217 metres and if the weather’s on your side you’ll be able to see as far as the Isle of Wight. We’ve crafted this insider’s guide to help REALLY get to grips with what makes Brighton tick, showing you the lesser-visited sides to this awesome town. Between Brighton Railway Station and the Royal Pavilion, North Laine is a hip shopping district where more than 300 shops are crammed into less than half a square mile. So for one of the most essential things to do in Brighton, grab yourself some fish and chips (Bankers Traditional Fish & Chip Restaurant is a good shout) and head to the beach. This seascape, just outside of Brighton, includes the Seven Sisters – a set of undulating, seven white cliffs – as well as the incredible Devil’s Dyke, formed at the end of the last Ice Age. Alternatively, the number 49 bus – amongst others – can get you there in 10 mins. The beach also happens to be a protected area with amazing water quality and plenty of wildlife dotted around – especially in the dunes. This area is full of culture, interesting places to stop off, vintage stores to browse, and places to grab a snack when your energy is depleting. Not a feature of Brighton until August of 2016, the British Airways’ owned i360 Brighton is a pretty cool observation tower that’s right on the seafront of Brighton. For decades now, Brighton has been the English destination of choice for stag parties and hen parties, and on weekends in spring and summer the city teems with people down from London celebrating before their nuptials. Get some posh pub food at The Sussex Yeoman Brighton, near Brighton Station. Easily one of the best day trips from Brighton, exploring your way around the almost 1,000-year-old castle is an epic way to spend your time in England. That’s where we come in. Here are a couple of good’uns for you. This Sussex burger chain has no website or Facebook page – but bloody hell, their menu’s good. With sea air, a sophisticated food scene and more than its fair share of bars and clubs, this town has been drawing fun and sun-seekers for decades. Photograph: Flickr / grassrootsgroundswell, Photograph: Wikimedia Commons / AndyScott, Photograph: Brighton Toy and Model Museum, how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world. Much of Brighton oozes character and cool, but The Lanes are definitely leading the charge. It’s around a 15 minute stroll (various buses take around 10). When Brighton was a humble fishing village the quarter now know as the Lanes was the core of the settlement. It’s cool. The largest ’dry valley’ in the UK, this place makes the perfect location for a dog walk or simply an aimless ramble as the sun sets. Coffee shop fiend? Just a few miles out of town, Devil’s Dyke is a timeless beauty spot on the sprawling South Downs. : The English and Their Manners – A lighthearted investigation into what it really means to have proper English manners traces how polite behaviors have developed and changed throughout time, exploring traditions ranging from hospitality and chivalry to sexual conduct and online etiquette. Hell yeah. Sorry! Just five minutes from Brighton railway station, underneath it, in fact, this place feels like the heart and soul of Brighton. By the water you’ll know you’re in an English seaside resort, catching the scent of fish and chips and watching deckchairs fluttering in the breeze. If you feel up for the walk it’s about a half an hour walk from the Pavilion; alternatively grab the number 27 bus, which’ll get you have you standing on the doorstep of the museum in 20 minutes. Microfibre Towel: It’s always worth packing a proper towel. There’s the obvious stuff that draws daytrippers and tourists alike: the beach, the pier, the obvious fish and chip shops that are (hot tip) closest to the beach. Shop local and pick up some fresh nosh, grab a book from the dinky bookshop or snuggle up with a coffee from the Flying Saucer Café. Let’s explore the best things to do in Brighton: As a stylish 20-something the Prince Regent first came to Brighton in 1783 and before long he was spending so much of his leisure time at the town that he commissioned a seaside palace. The city has a thriving arts and creative industry, and its reputation for culture is bolstered by the Brighton Festival every May.