BRIGHTON ON THE
WEB SEASIDE!
The independent, maximalist guide to Britain's boldest seaside city. Fish & chips, tech startups, starling murmurations, basement gigs, sunrise swims — all tide, no filter since the dial-up days.
WE ARE SALT,
NEON & DIAL-UP
Brighton on the Web started as one of the UK's first city websites — a hand-coded love letter to pebbles, piers and possibility. Thirty years later we're still here: faster, louder, saltier.
We are not a tourist board. We are swimmers, skaters, DJs, chefs, students, nurses on night shifts, retired mods and new arrivals. We document the Brighton that guidebooks miss: the 6am fishing boats, the Turkish supermarkets on Lewes Road, the queer cabaret in a Kemptown basement, the startup stand-ups in a North Laine loft.
Our mission: help you live Brighton like a local — whether you're here for 48 hours or 48 years. No sponsored fluff. Just tide tables, truth and tips.
2,115 ft • opened 1899🎡
PICK YOUR
BRIGHTON
The Lanes & Royal Pavilion
Twisty alleys, jewellers, vinyl, chippies. George IV's onion-domed pleasure palace right in the middle. Get lost on purpose.
North Laine
Vegan donuts, tarot, tattoos, 300+ vintage rails. Brighton's beating, tie-dyed heart. Saturday = beautiful chaos.
Seafront & Hove Lawns
Volleyball, saunas, skatepark, beach huts in rainbow rows. Swim at dawn, skate at dusk, fish & chips in between.
Kemptown & St James's
Regency squares, cabaret bars, late bakeries. Home of Pride, drag brunches and the best people-watching benches.
Hanover & The Level
Rainbow houses on stupidly steep hills, community pubs, skate park at The Level. Leg day with a view.
Seven Sisters & South Downs
20 mins by bus: chalk cliffs, Devil's Dyke paragliders, Ditchling Beacon sunsets. Bring windproof everything.
NEVER A DULL
TIDE
Brighton Festival & Fringe
3,000+ shows: circus in churches, comedy in basements, choirs on the beach. Book early, cycle everywhere.
The Great Escape
450 new bands in 30 venues. See tomorrow's headliners in a 150-cap pub. Earplugs essential.
Brighton Pride
UK's biggest Pride: parade, Preston Park party, village takeovers. Joyful, political, gloriously glittery.
PEBBLES, PINTS
& PLANT-BASED
Veg capital of the UK + best chippie queue
Brighton has more veggie restaurants per capita than anywhere else in Britain — plus old-school chippies frying since 1938, Bardsley's legendary. Our rules: eat outside if you can see the sea, tip well, try the small plates on Baker Street.
- Must: battered halloumi at the beach kiosk, cardamom buns in North Laine
- Pub: side-street locals with sea views — ask for Harvey's
- Late: Kemptown bakeries open till 2am on weekends
- Coffee: Small Batch, Pelicano, plus 40 indie roasters
FRESH OFF
THE PIER
No news yet — the gulls ate the headlines. Check back after the next high tide. Meanwhile explore about Brighton and what's on.
BRIGHTON IN
THEIR WORDS
“Moved for uni, stayed for 12 years. Morning swim at Shoal, work in a games studio, gigs three nights a week. London who?”
“Best city to be skint and happy. Free sea, free sunsets, £4 comedy previews in May. My kids think the pier is Disneyland.”
“As a queer refugee, Brighton gave me family. Cafés remember your name. The sea listens without judging.”
FAQ & TIDE
TIPS
When is the best time to visit Brighton?
May–September for festivals and swims, but locals love October: warm sea, empty beaches, starling season starting. Winter storms at the seafront are spectacular — bring a proper coat and watch from Shelter Hall with hot chips.
Can you swim in the sea at Brighton?
Yes, year-round. Summer 16–19°C, winter 7–10°C. Swim near lifeguarded zones (yellow flags) between May–September, check tides, avoid the marina mouth and West Pier ruins. Saunas on the beachfront help.
How do I get from London to Brighton?
Trains from London Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras run every 15–20 mins, ~55–65 mins. Off-peak returns are cheapest. Driving takes 1.5–2h; parking is painful — use the Park & Ride or just walk, everything is close.
Is Brighton expensive?
Less than London, more than Hastings. Fish & chips £9–13, pint £5.50–7, day bus ticket £5. Free stuff: sea, South Downs walks, Hove Museum, street art trails, starlings at Palace Pier at dusk (Oct–Mar).
What is Brighton on the Web?
An independent city guide and newsroom covering Brighton & Hove: neighbourhoods, food, events, seafront life and daily local news. Run by locals, fuelled by sea air and strong coffee.
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SUNDAY TIDE
LETTER
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