With an incredible range of bars, restaurants and cultural activities to do, it’s no surprise Brighton is known as ‘London by the Sea.’ Just like London, though, Brighton can also be pretty pricey if you don’t know where to go. There are plenty of free things to do in Brighton to keep the cost down!
1. Travel through time at Snoopers Paradise
Snoopers Paradise is a second-hand bazaar in trendy North Laine. And there’s no need to buy anything to enjoy this eclectic mix of treasures. Walk through the store’s many rooms and discover unique antiques, clothes and more.
2. Take a stroll along Brighton Beach
On a sunny day, there’s nothing more enjoyable than a stroll along Brighton beach. Take in the views of the Sussex coast and marvel at the stalls selling jellied eels, cockles and lemonade.
3. Take a selfie at Brighton Pavilion
Although entry to the Brighton Pavilion Museum may not be free, spending time in the Pavilion gardens exploring the grounds and taking pictures of the impressive architecture doesn’t cost a penny.
4. Explore The Booth museum
A peculiar museum on the outskirts of the city, the Booth Museum is a collection of Victorian taxidermy that is completely free to visit. In the summer, make a day of it by combining your trip to the museum with a stroll through Hove Green or even stick around for a play at Brighton Open Air Theatre.
5. Window shop in North Laine
Find a range of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Although the boutiques might be pricey, there’s nothing to stop you ‘window shopping’ at the unique clothing and jewellery shops.
6. Have a picnic in Preston Park
One of the biggest parks in Brighton, Preston Park is the perfect place to spend a summer’s afternoon. Just a short walk from busy London Road, Preston Park offers a serene location to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre and is often much less crowded than Brighton Beach.
7. Hike along the Seven Sisters Cliffs
One of the perks of Brighton is its proximity to the beautiful Seven Sisters cliffs. In just one hour you can escape the busy city of Brighton to this picturesque coastline. The cliffs have grown in popularity in recent years after being featured in a music video by Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou and regularly receive visitors from all over the world.
8. Take yourself on a tour of the city’s street art
From music-themed murals to replicas of some of Banksy’s most famous work, Brighton is one of the best destinations for street art and graffiti in the UK. Take yourself on a free tour around the city’s artwork with this guide to finding street art in Brighton.
9. Watch some salsa at Hove Bandstand
Hove Bandstand is the perfect place to watch the world go by and is used as a place to practise for many local dance groups. Over the summer, you’ll find salsa, samba, swing dancers and more choosing the seafront location as a place to practise their moves.
Bonus: Enjoy the view from Brighton Pier
Since this article was first published, access to the pier has risen from free to a pound – but while the rides and fish and chips stalls will cost you money, this is still a worthwhile trip to make the most of the views from the Pier and enjoy Brighton’s most iconic landmark.
If you’d like to enjoy Brighton and improve your English at the same time, our English language courses in Brighton are a great choice for you!
