Things to do

Brighton has loads to offer for couples, friends, families, and those travelling alone. Below are some links in Brighton and also close by. There is also more info on the green links page. Also below is a list of 50 things to do in Brighton this summer, how many can you do? If you want any recommendations or reservations regarding places to eat, visit etc, do not hesitate to call us or drop us a line.

www.pintxopeople.co.uk
Fantastic Spanish tapas bar. Has a great area tucked away under the stairs equipped with toys, crayons and papar to keep the little ones amused. Voted bar of the year. Check it out.

www.coachhousebrighton.com
Little known to the tourist, a great place to chill.

www.brightonpier.co.uk
No trip to the south coast is complete without a visit.

www.m-cyclehire.co.uk
Bikes delivered to our door step. Tours also organised. Avoid the traffic jams and enjoy a relaxed day out.

www.visitbrighton.com
Our partner site full of info on stuff in brighton.

www.yellowwave.co.uk
Beach volley ball, beach soccer and other sand related fun.

www.orb360.co.uk
Get on a roll! England’s longest orb run.

www.thebrightonwatersports.co.uk
Kayak round the pier on your own or in groups.

www.sealifeeurope.com
Great fun for kids, will make parents feel like kids again.

www.odeon.co.uk
See the latest blockbuster.

www.brightonmarina.co.uk
A short tuc tuc bus or bike ride. A nice place to stroll around and have a spot of lunch.

Our favourite restaurants

Loves Restaurant 01273 327 980 – as seen on Gordon Ramsays kitchen nightmares. This place is now by far from a nightmare. Great fish, great atmosphere. The posh fish and chips is not so much posh but really good quality well cooked and beautifully presented tasty fish and chips - definitely the best we have found in Brighton so far..

The Real Eating Company - 01273 221 444  A mixture of cuisine, really good quality and very delicious. I would also recommend booking here if you want to eat in the evening. They are also open for breakfast & lunch and have a wonderful deli upstairs with fabulous cheeses, olives & cooked meats. 

The Sanctuary - 01273 770 002  If you are not veggie, please don’t be put off. The food here rocks, I have absolutely loved every dish I have ever eaten here. The tofu nut burgers are to die for and their daily specials (I had baked mackerel with spinach, roasted tomato, olive, and potato the other day) are always really really good. Lots of yummy cakes also if you just wanted to pop in for a coffee and a snack. 

The Hampton - 01273 325 425  Our current favourite for a pub Sunday lunch. They start serving at 1pm until they run out (usually about  3-4ish). You can’t book so best get there early. I’m very fussy when it comes to roasts and rarely find one better than my own!!! But this one is great, no frozen stuffing, powdered gravy or pre cooked meat.  I feel very hungry all of a sudden!

Bills – A cornucopia of yummy goodness – a fresh food utopia. Down to earth & unpretentious it’s a farm shop, a food hall & a stylish eatery all in one

Tere a tere – 01273 729 051  we recently checked this place out for my birthday. We had left it for a special occasion as although we had heared great things about the food we also heared that it’s a bit pricey. DO NOT be putt off by the word pricey. Our meal was delicious in every way and so, so worth the splurge. 100% the best meal we have had out in a long long time (and we eat out a lot!). For a lighter option they offer a great lunch deal, a sharing  platter with a choice of 2 deserts. We opted for the platter as a starter and it was the highlight of our meal.

50 things to do in Brighton this summer.

1. Take a tour of the Royal Pavilion Selected as one of UKTV History’s Britain’s Best, a campaign which aims to find the nation’s favourite historical site, there’s no better time to visit the spectacular Palace of George IV, one of the most dazzling and exotic buildings in the British Isles. www.royalpavilion.org.uk

2. Go powerboat racing at Brighton Marina (SailnetUK) Get the adrenaline going with an introductory Powerboating course at SailnetUK, a water based activity centre at Brighton Marina. Alternatively, throw on your sea legs with a Yacht Racing Day or learn the ropes and take on the tiller on a Salty Taster Day. www.sailnetuk.co.uk

3. Play beachminton at Yellowave Beach Sports Anyone for beachminton? Check out Brighton's new beach sports venue where sand based sports from beach volleyball to Ultimate Frisbee are taking the city by storm. The first permanent beach sports venue of its kind, Yellowave also offer floodlit courts, a café/bar and scrummy beach BBQs. Yum! www.yellowave.co.uk

4. Take a ride in a tuc-tuc Travel 'Thai style' in a tuc-tuc, Europe’s first motorised rickshaw service! Eco-friendly and virtually zero-emission, tuc-tucs are safe, economical and great fun. With loads of themed tuc-tucs to choose from why not get fruity in the Strawberry or romantic in the Valentine! www.tuctuc.co.uk

5. Eat a picnic at Devil’s Dyke Pack the sarnies and ginger beer, pull out your best picnic blanket and roll up to Devil’s Dyke for a chilled out day on the Downs. Sit back, relax and take in the views north towards the Weald and south over the sea. Did you know it’s also the largest chalkland dry combe in Britain?

6. Take an MP3 tour around Regency Brighton Forget walking around with your guidebook – simply pop on your headphones and discover the wonders of Brighton at your own pace with a handy MP3 walking tour around the Royal Pavilion area or the North Laine and Regency Brighton. www.tourist-tracks.com/tours/brighton.html

7. Try out the Super Booster on Brighton Pier One for the thrill seekers, Super Booster rockets from 0-60mph in under 3 seconds, is over 125 feet tall and carries passengers up to 38 metres, before dropping them back through the air at a spine tingling 60mph! It’s the only ride of its kind in the UK! Go on, we dare you! www.brightonpier.co.uk

8. Feed the ducks at Queen’s Park Get quacking with the ducks in beautiful Queen’s Park. Easy to get to and with something for everyone, Queens Park was formerly a Victorian pleasure garden. The lake is a favourite attraction and feeding the ducks a tranquil way to spend a lazy afternoon before wandering around the wildlife or scented garden.

9. Get arty at Ocontemporary Go modern at Ocontemporary, one of the UK's top contemporary art spaces. Showcasing a compelling and diverse selection of national and international artists' work from Andy Warhol to Tracey Emin, as well as hot new emerging artists, Ocontemporary is where art’s at! www.ocontemporary.com

10. Chill out at a cricket match As winners of the 2006 County Cricket Championships, Sussex is officially the best cricket club in England! So sit back, relax and join the men in white as they show you how it’s done at their grounds in Hove actually. You might even see a googly! Howzat! www.sussexcricket.co.uk

11. Spot an undulate ray at the Sea life Centre With a whopping 150 species and 57 displays, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable day out for the whole family! From cute undulate rays and giant turtles to sharks and Submarine Adventures, it’s a tantalising treasure trove of marine life. www.sealifeeurope.com

12. Shop for art at the seafront galleries Nestling under small Victorian arches on Brighton’s beachfront lies the bohemian Artists' Quarter, housing a collection of quaint and funky artists’ studio spaces. Grab a coffee, amble through the studios and sift through the eclectic artwork on display.

13. Party on at Pride Preston Park is alive with the sound of music this year, as the largest gay and lesbian festival in Europe takes on a Musical theme in August. The perfect excuse to dress up as Julie Andews, do the Time Warp or go all goody two shoes as Olivia Newton John. Let’s hope there’s no singin’ in the rain! www.brightonpride.org

14. Take a stroll in Stanmer Park Throw on your walking boots and set off for the Great Wood, roam across the downland or join a guided walk to Rocky Clump. You might even stumble into Pudding Bag Wood! Stanmer Park was named one of Britain's Top 10 walks by the Independent newspaper. www.stanmerpark.co.uk

15. Take a trip on the world’s oldest operating electric railway Not quite the first example of electric traction in the world, but nearly! Today it holds the deserved position of being the oldest remaining operating electric railway in the world. Jump aboard, sit back, and pootle along the beachfront for superb views out to sea. www.volkselectricrailway.co.uk

16. Relax in Kipling’s Gardens in Rottingdean Named after the village's most famous resident, writer Rudyard Kipling, these delightful gardens are full of olde worlde charm. Check out the rose or herb garden, relax in the chalk garden, then amble around the gift shops, galleries and tea rooms of scenic Rottingdean village. www.rottingdean.uk.com

17. Indulge in a day at the Races Fancy a flutter? Check out the Tote Challenge Trophy or the John Smith’s Brighton Mile, don your finest hats for Ladies Day or place a bet on your favourite gee gee at the seaside course where the turf meets the surf! www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk

18. Take afternoon tea at the Grand Savour your scones in sumptuous style at the lush De Vere Grand, with an afternoon tea to die for…Smoked salmon sandwiches, chocolate dipped strawberries and a naughty cream horne await all you sweet toothed lovelies! Truly scrumptious. www.grandbrighton.co.uk

19. Check out the camera obscura at Foredown Tower Foredown Tower Countryside Centre is home to one of only two operational camera obscuras in South East England. A great day out, the Edwardian Tower also offers breathtaking views across Sussex and is the perfect starting point for a walk on the Downs. www.foredown.virtualmuseum.info

20. Wander along the undercliff walk Jump on the Volks Railway at Brighton Pier, jump off at Black Rock near the Marina, and rejuvenate with some sea air and a leisurely summer stroll along the impressive Undercliff Walk to Saltdean.

21. Check out the 16th century Lanes armoury building In the heart of the old Lanes, in a three storey 16th century building, adorned distinctively in Guards Red, the Lanes Armory is frequently described by visitors as possibly the most amazing of its kind in Europe. Enter its portals and discover a treasure trove of arms, armour, and militaria. www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk

22. Take a trip to Blatchington Mill The restored mill at West Blatchington is a Grade II listed building and well worth a visit. Find out about the history of milling and check out scale models of Shipley smock mill and Nutley post mill. Open Sundays and Bank Holidays from May to September. www.blatchington.virtualmuseum.info

23. Fly your kite at the Brighton Kite Festival Did you know the smallest flying kite in the world is 5mm high! Watch the skies of Brighton fill up with kites of all shapes and sizes, drop into a kite workshop or marvel at the master kite flyers as they demonstrate some of the amazing things that can be done with kites. www.brightonkiteflyers.co.uk

24. Throw some moves at the Brighton Hip Hop Festival Think you’re bit of a mover? Wanna twist someone’s cap with ya mean mugging! Then get yourself down to the Brighton Hip Hop Festival and throw some shapes backpackers. No, we we’re not what sure it means either, but it’s the UK’s largest celebration of Hip Hop Culture and looks rather fab! www.bhhf.org

25. Swim in the sea Long treasured by bathers and promenading tourists, visitors to Brighton beach can now take another comfort from the famous pebbly shores. Recently awarded Blue Flag status in recognition of its cleanliness and water quality, taking the plunge has never been cleaner!

26. Hire a bike and cycle across the Downs What better way to experience the sensation of fresh air and open spaces, whilst getting some exercise and enjoying stunning views across Sussex and the sea? The bridleways and byways on the South Downs can be used freely by cyclists and it’s easy to hire a bike too. www.m-cyclehire.co.uk and www.visitsouthdowns.com

27. Go zorbing (or orbing) Try out the latest craze for thrill seekers. Harnessed within 12ft PVC spheres, two 'ORBers' at a time hit speeds of up to 30mph, as they go head over heals down a run in the heart of the breathtaking South Downs. Weeeeeee! 01273 880045

28. Go veggietastic at Terre a Terre With veggie delights to turn the most avid carnivore, Terre a Terre bring a whole new meaning to the term vegetarian with a mouth-watering menu of sublime veggie dishes. Drop in and go veggietastic. Bring the kids, bring Gran, bring Aunt Flo – bring everyone! www.terreaterre.co.uk

29. Get fishy at Brighton Fishing Museum Think you know your cod from your crayfish? Check out Brighton Fishing Museum, where you can sample some shellfish, take in a olde traditional smoker and find out all there is to know about fishing in Brighton. You might even get the fishy low-down from a working fisherman! www.sussexmuseums.co.uk 32. Be Stagestruck at Brighton Museum Stagestruck celebrates over 200 years of remarkable history at Brighton’s Theatre Royal. View vintage prints and photographs, costumes and props and reconstructions of 'special effects' of the 19th century at this fascinating exhibition at Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. www.brighton.virtualmuseum.info

30. Have champagne and oysters at Riddle and Finns Relax in style at Riddle and Finns' delicious champagne and oyster bar. Indulge in sumptuous seafood, sip chilled champagne and sit at marble topped tables, safe in the hands of the friendly, knowledgeable staff. The perfect post shopping or pre-theatre treat! www.riddleandfinns.co.uk

31. Buy vegetarian shoes in the North Laine area Well known for its eco friendly and environmental approach to life, Brighton has its very own vegetarian shoe shop. You’ll be surprised at the wide range of shoes, boots, sandals and belts on offer. Who says feet can’t go veggie! www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk

32. Take a tour of the old police cells Ello, ello, ello. Learn about life on the beat in Brighton and visit the old police cells with this unique tour. See the fascinating collection of local Police memorabilia and find out all about the grisly goings on of 1844, when Constable Solomon was murdered by a prisoner. www.oldpolicecellsmuseum.org.uk

33. Go luvvy with a tour of the Theatre Royal >From Marlene Dietrich to Laurence Olivier, a host of thespian lovelies have trodden the boards at the Theatre Royal. Find out about their antics and the fascinating history of one of the UK’s best loved theatres, with an enlightening behind the scenes tour. And whilst you’re there, don’t forget to wish the theatre a Happy 200th Birthday! www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal

34. Get down and dirty with a sewer tour Brighton's Victorian sewerage system is one of the most magnificent examples of civil engineering of its kind and the sewer tours have become a popular attraction for tourists. Don’t worry though; drainage and water disposal has come a long way in Brighton since Victorian times! 0845 278 0845

35. Laugh your socks off at Brighton Komedia One of Brighton's premier live entertainment venues, Komedia presents one of the largest, most diverse arts and entertainment programmes in the UK. With around 700 performances of music, comedy, cabaret and theatre to choose from in 2007 you won’t be spoilt for choice! www.komedia.co.uk

36. Get spooky with a Preston Manor ghost tour Join Daisy the Housemaid, for eerie tales of Victorian séances and the chilling White Lady, at Brighton's favourite haunted house. Watch out for slamming doors and mysterious wafts of lavender in the Morning Room. Go if you dare! BOO! www.prestonmanor.virtualmuseum.info

37. Visit Brighton Toy and Model Museum A treat for kids big and small! Brighton Toy and Model Museum is an Aladdin's cave of the finest toys and models, situated beneath Brighton Station, including mechanical toys and models, dolls house furniture and puppets dating back to the 1790s. www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk

38. Breeze up to the Downs Jump aboard one of the bus services linking the city with some of the area’s finest countryside. With the Downs literally on the Doorstep, you’re just minutes away from Devil’s Dyke, Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon. Ooo, it just makes you want to getaway! 01273 292480

39. Get messy with some Hands on Pottery Tap into your creative side with some Hands on Pottery. Make a mobile, paint a pot but try not to smash a plate! Within a lovely garden setting, you’ll get the opportunity to express yourself, safe in the hands of professional pottery makers. It’s a marvellous way to unwind. www.hands-onpottery.com

40. Check out the Chattri A unique monument on the beautiful South Downs dedicated to the Indian Soldiers who died in the First World War, the Chattri was unveiled in 1921 by the then Prince of Wales. Accessible by bridleway, you can walk, cycle or even horseride your way there! www.black-history.org.uk/chattri.asp

41. Visit the Booth Museum of Natural History Check out whale and dinosaur bones and over half a million other specimens, including natural history literature extending back over three centuries, in this fascinating Brighton museum. www.booth.virtualmuseum.info

42. Ole with some flamenco at Joogleberrys Enjoy funky entertainment with attitude in the heart of Brighton. Skylit ground floor cafe restaurant with scrummy food and magical cabaret bar with nightly jazz, flamenco and comedy. www.joogleberry.com

43. Check out the Brighton Earthship The first of its kind in England, Earthship Brighton is a solar powered, eco friendly building built from used tyres. A great day out with a difference, tours of the Earthship are educational and fun and include an overview of the Stanmer Organic consortium. www.lowcarbon.co.uk

44. Soar over Brighton in an art deco bi-plane Don your flight goggles and experience the golden age of flying with a breathtaking trip over Brighton and the Sussex coast in a 1930s vintage art deco biplane. Chocks away! www.deltaaviation.co.uk

45. Run the Race For Life Pop on your running shoes on the 30th June and do your bit for charity as Brighton takes part in the Race For Life. Get fit, feel good, raise some cash and run around the rather lovely Stanmer Park. Go on, get those footsies moving! www.raceforlife.org

46. Discover the ancient wonders of the Sussex Weald Not just a modern, free spirited city, Brighton also has a fascinating history stretching back thousands of years. Home to some of England's most ancient hill forts, beacon points, tumuli and earthworks, why not discover the ancient wonders of the Sussex Weald with the Antiquarian Society.
www.theantiquariansociety.com/TAS_services_tours_brighton.html

47. Read a 17th century newspaper at Jubilee Library So much more than a pile of books, Jubilee Library is an ethical, award winning, eco friendly, understatedly cool library in Brighton’s Cultural Quarter. Pop in and read the papers – you’ll find all the regular dailies there – including ones from 1642! www.citylibraries.info/libraries/jubilee.asp