Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Afternoon in Brighton

33 replies

changedmyname24 · 10/04/2025 07:42

DH is taking the Dses to watch football in Brighton on Saturday. I am going along for the ride, but not going to the match. I fancy a change of scenery & not really been to Brighton for years.

Can I please have some suggestions of things to do for a few hours in Brighton, on my own? I think they'll have the car at football, so will need to be something accessible by walking or public transport. Thanks!

OP posts:
Mumteedum · 10/04/2025 07:46

Easiest place ever to while away a few hours.

Go have a nice lunch somewhere, potter around the lovely shops and galleries in the lanes, take a good book and sit on the beach.... just enjoy. I love Brighton especially if it's sunny.

Doggymummar · 10/04/2025 07:46

It can be awkward to get from falmer to town, particularly on a match day so check the trains. I live in Brighton so I bit biased I guess but I think it's a horrible place for shopping. I would go to the grand for afternoon tea. Or check what's on at the theatre and grab a matinee. The match is only 90 mins so you can't do much really. Maybe take a book and sit in the car.

BurgundyZero · 10/04/2025 07:48

Sit in the fucking car when there's a beach to walk along? Really?

SilenceInside · 10/04/2025 08:04

It's a long walk into town from the stadium, but there are frequent buses. Churchill Square is the central bus destination that would get you into the centre of Brighton. Train would also be very easy to Brighton station, assuming the timetable isn't affected by the football.

The Brighton museum is worth a look around, and it's next to the Brighton Pavilion too if that's of interest. They're both a short walk from the station. Otherwise, there's the obvious thing of going to the beach, going for a walk east towards the marina, or west towards Hove if the weather is nice. There is the re-opened i360 and the Upside Down house towards Hove, a bit expensive but if it's a sunny day the view from the i360 is amazing.

You could also have a wander round the North Laine area, or go more into town and have a wander round The Lanes. Sit in a coffee shop and people watch!

Mumteedum · 10/04/2025 08:10

Not sure if the i360 has reopened has it? It went bust. Wouldn't bother with the upside down house without kids.

SilenceInside · 10/04/2025 08:13

The i360 has reopened and is bookable, new owners did a deal with the council regarding the debt.

Original poster
changedmyname24 · 10/04/2025 08:18

Thank you, sounds like there are a few things to do 😊 We will leave home (Essex) nice & early so I imagine there will be time for them to drop me off somewhere a bit more central before they head to football. They like to soak up the atmosphere first anyway, especially as it's the first away match they will have attended.

OP posts:
Ener · 10/04/2025 08:28

Get an uber if not. Much easier than a bus

Mumteedum · 10/04/2025 08:35

SilenceInside · 10/04/2025 08:13

The i360 has reopened and is bookable, new owners did a deal with the council regarding the debt.

Ah brilliant. It is expensive but I loved it. Very relaxing. Probably not great if it's not a clear day though!

Mumteedum · 10/04/2025 08:36

The pavillion is fab as well. Can be a bit Marmite but it's so gauche. The gardens are nice for a sit and a chill too.

Have a lovely time. I wish I was going again soon. 😊

Yellowtracktor · 10/04/2025 08:39

Sit in the car 😂

I love Brighton. There are some fantastic restaurants and coffee shops if that's your thing. I'd do a bit of research and take yourself for a lovely lunch, then just stroll around. There's nowhere better for a bit of pottering.

TheDogsMother · 10/04/2025 08:41

Get an Uber to the centre and walk to The Lanes. It’s full of quirky shops and very interesting for a wander. If you go to Gardner St (which is one of the main streets through the Lanes) there are loads of cafes with tables out in the road where you can people watch. Lavash is my favourite down there with lovely Middle Eastern wraps, meze, falafels and cakes. The weather is going to be lovely so I hope you have a nice day.

SilenceInside · 10/04/2025 08:53

As well as Gardner St in the North Laine area, there is Kensington Gardens which is a pedestrian only street of quirky shops. There's a place called Snooper's Paradise there which has lots of different vintage, antique, collectibles, clothing stalls inside.

ForeveraBluebird · 10/04/2025 08:55

You say it’s their first away game Op, I’d suggest going on the Brighton FC site and checking out the transport info for away supporters, you can pre book a car park space at various locations near the ground.
Theres loads to do in Brighton , hope you have a lovely weekend.

Tiswa · 10/04/2025 09:03

Where are they parking? Parking is awful in Brighton and around the Amex hardly any unless you prebook in advance!

there are 3 park and rides for the footbsll that you then bus to the stadium - the racecourse one we used is in a bus route into town you can use to get into town

get them to sort out where they are parking first and do not head to the Amex there will be no parking

reenon · 10/04/2025 09:05

Insider tip... If you park near the top of Valley Drive (free on street parking) your DH can turn right and walk up Dyke Road and get the free bus from the park and ride (Mill Road) you don't need to have got a parking space there to use the bus. Then you can get the no. 27 bus straight from Valley Drive in to town (Saltdean direction). Download the Brighton and Hove buses app, it's pretty decent.

He'll definitely need to get there early. There are roadworks on the a27 towards Falmer, only one lane and it has caused absolute carnage. It's bad on match days anyway! I'm not sure what time the first buses start running to the stadium.

Doggymummar · 10/04/2025 15:59

BurgundyZero · 10/04/2025 07:48

Sit in the fucking car when there's a beach to walk along? Really?

It's 90 minutes, barely time to get there never mind back again. Are you always so rude to strangers?

Twinstudy · 10/04/2025 16:17

Doggymummar · 10/04/2025 15:59

It's 90 minutes, barely time to get there never mind back again. Are you always so rude to strangers?

Show quote history

It's not really 90 minutes though, with half time and time for getting in, getting to your seat and then leaving, op will probably have more like three hours. Which is plenty of time to enjoy a nice lunch and a stroll around town

DurinsBane · 10/04/2025 16:20

changedmyname24 · 10/04/2025 07:42

DH is taking the Dses to watch football in Brighton on Saturday. I am going along for the ride, but not going to the match. I fancy a change of scenery & not really been to Brighton for years.

Can I please have some suggestions of things to do for a few hours in Brighton, on my own? I think they'll have the car at football, so will need to be something accessible by walking or public transport. Thanks!

Bear in mind there is no parking at the stadium anyway apart for blue badge. They would have to park and ride. So if they have to do that, you might as well drop them off and have the car yourself.

ramonaquimby · 10/04/2025 16:35

I'd drive to Lewes and get them to get the train and meet you after the game personally

Arlanymor · 10/04/2025 16:40

Get them to drop you off first and pick you up on the way back. Then if it were me I would pay a trip to the Pavilion, mooch around both sets of the Lanes - and definitely Snoopers Paradise as a pp said, I have lost hours of my life in there! - and have lunch at Riddle and Finns. If there's still time left over, I would go to Cuddly Colony - I have never been but I really want to - and have an up close experience with a sugar glider. Blissful Saturday!

Tiswa · 10/04/2025 16:43

Doggymummar · 10/04/2025 15:59

It's 90 minutes, barely time to get there never mind back again. Are you always so rude to strangers?

Show quote history

But it’s not the average match playing time nowadays is 100 mins add in 45 mins x 2 for the park and ride 30 minute build up, then waiting for the bus back it’s probably from at least 1:45 to 5:45!

Trust me from someone who has worked around football march visiting more than once including a Brighton match!

LlynTegid · 10/04/2025 17:21

You will need to include time to buy tissues for them to wipe their tears, unless they are hardened to the Foxes recent inability to win.

I agree about the four or more hours, I do think you could consider Lewes and visit the castle instead of Brighton.

cakeandteaandcake · 10/04/2025 17:39

SilenceInside · 10/04/2025 08:53

As well as Gardner St in the North Laine area, there is Kensington Gardens which is a pedestrian only street of quirky shops. There's a place called Snooper's Paradise there which has lots of different vintage, antique, collectibles, clothing stalls inside.

I was coming here to post this. Snooper’s is a must.

SushiDisco · 10/04/2025 18:16

Doggymummar · 10/04/2025 07:46

It can be awkward to get from falmer to town, particularly on a match day so check the trains. I live in Brighton so I bit biased I guess but I think it's a horrible place for shopping. I would go to the grand for afternoon tea. Or check what's on at the theatre and grab a matinee. The match is only 90 mins so you can't do much really. Maybe take a book and sit in the car.

Edited

sit in the car??😂

Swipe left for the next trending thread