Weekend Staycation in Brighton, UK
Brighton Weekend Away - Itinerary
Brighton has always been popular as a weekend staycation destination for young and old.
It’s proximity to London via train and road, as well as the wealth of restaurants, bars and vibrant nightlife means that it has often been seen as an extension of South London.
I headed to Brighton for a weekend break, not to spend the whole time on the beach, but to explore the many independent businesses that make this city so unique.
Here are my recommendations of where to stay, what to eat and things to do on your weekend staycation to Brighton.
Where to Stay:
The Old Ship Hotel
The Old Ship Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in Brighton. It sits proudly on the seafront, making it the perfect place to explore the rest of the city. It is also just a 15min downhill walk from the train station, which is super easy when arriving in the city.
Our double room was spacious, and even had a view of the sea from the side window. The hotel itself is large with plenty of space to relax in their lounges or outdoor bar facing the seafront.
Where to Eat:
Curry Leaf Café
Located in The Lanes, Curry Leaf Cafe has been named one of the best 12 Indian restaurants in Britain by BBC Good Food Magazine.
The serve delicious South Indian food and (officially) the UK’s finest range of craft beers. The restaurant itself is colourful and laid-back with wooden tables, exposed brick walls and vintage Indian design touches.
This is a particularly great place to dine as a group in enjoy sharing plates amongst the table.
English’s
English’s is the South’s leading independent seafood restaurant and oyster bar. They offer both classical favourites and modern seafood dishes.
The extensive menu boasts a range of seafood classics and the oysters are a must-try. This is a great restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or for date night as a couple.
Food Tour with Brighton Food Tours
In order to get a taste for as much of Brighton's finest food, we booked onto the The V.I.B (Very Independent Brighton) Food Tour with Brighton Food Tour. This fantastic tour was packed with eclectic sights and tastes from the unique makers to the unsung heroes of Brighton's indie food and drink scene.
Some of my favourite foodie stops included:
Barneys Deli where we sampled Ditchling white wine from Court Garden
Brighton Sausage Co. to try their fantastic sausage rolls.
Vine St Tap for great beers on tap
Plateau to sample natural wines in a beautiful location.
Tlaloc for tacos and tequila.
Boho Gelato for an incredible range of flavours to try - there are queues here for a reason.
This was a fantastic food tour and our guide Catriona had a lot of knowledge about the city as well as the local independent producers too.
Things to do:
Visit Brighton Palace Pier
One of Brighton’s most famous sights, Brighton Palace Pier is certainly worth a visit. Packed with an abundance of activities including arcades, restaurants, bars, softplay and even a fun fair featuring a roller coaster, bumper cars and lots more.
Explore the Lanes
The Lanes are a famous part of Brighton and they are essentially a quirky labyrinth of narrow alleyways and hidden squares. They are also lined with plenty of places to shop, eat, drink and watch the world go by.
Some of the alleyways – or twittens as they’re known locally – even date back to the 16th Century. Spend an afternoon wandering The Lanes and immersing yourself in it.
British Airways i360
This giant glass observation pod glides up gently to 450ft, with views out to sea, over Brighton & Hove and as far as the South Downs. On the clearest of days, you can even see Beachy Head (17 miles east) and the Isle of Wight (49 miles west).
There is a bar in the pod where you can buy a drink to enjoy the views with. The experience lasts approximately 25mins - plenty of time to enjoy a drink!
Marvel at the Royal Pavilion
Brighton’s Royal Pavillion was built in 1787 as a seaside resort for King George IV.
The site includes a beautifully fully restored regency garden with manicured greenery and Cafe too from which you can admire the glorious architecture. The halls, hallways, and numerous rooms are beautiful to walk through and there are a variety of exhibitions to explore too.
What are your favourite sights in Brighton? Let me know in the comments below!
Her Favourite Food & Travel x
In association with Visit Brighton - all opinions are my own.