Things to do in the seaside resort of Brighton

Last Updated on 8 July 2020 by Colette

*This is a collaborative post with Best of Brighton*

I’ve never been to Brighton and I don’t even know that much about it but there’s something drawing me to visit – and I think it’s more than the possibility of bumping into Zoella buying donuts . . .

I’ve always loved the coast and Brighton certainly seems to hold that special seaside magic.  With Visit Brighton pitching the seaside resort as being “Vibrant, Colourful and Creative” and having previously been named Britain’s “hippest city” in 2015 and “the happiest place to live in the UK” back in 2008 my expectations are high!  Brighton is a city whose reputation precedes it.

Of course it would be tempting for Dave and I to head to Brighton on our own to sample the nightlife but realistically we’d take the trip as a family – perhaps booking ourselves a lovely seaside cottage and crossing our fingers for some sunshine.

For me, seaside holidays are about days spent on the beach, paddling in the sea, ice creams and the 2p machines in the arcades however this does rely on a certain amount of luck that the weather will be on your side!  Brighton has more to offer than just sitting on the beach however tempting that may be!  I know Ben would love a day taking advantage of the rides at Brighton Pier!

I asked some other bloggers to give me some suggestions of things to do in Brighton:

Lauren at A Scrapbook of Our Lives suggested The Sealife Centre which I know would appeal to all three kids and has the added bonus of being indoors were the weather not so kind!

Mummy Travels shared a list of 15 things to do in Brighton with kids – including visiting Brighton Toy Museum which sounds especially good as “toys” is a common Year 1 / 2 topic at school!

Bridie by the Sea had a handy list of the top five cafes in Brighton  where she has covered a range of options to eat with the little ones.

And Amber from Meet the Wildes?  Well she just has the most gloriously magical photos in her two posts about visiting Brighton with her four children: A Few Hours in Brighton and A Long Weekend in Brighton – that you couldn’t imagine a weekend away to be anything more than seaside perfection.

Brighton remains firmly in my wishlist of places to visit very soon!  Do you have any more suggestions of things to do and see that I’ve missed?

Why not read this post of family friendly things to do in Devon next or check out these free sea life colouring pages to get you in the seaside mood.