Brighton for the day - where to park?

[mckenzie]

A crowd of us are going to Brighton for the day on saturday to meet up with some friends who live quite near there. One of the guys wants to go by train because he reckons that getting in and out of Brighton with the car with be awful. We'd rather take the car as to go by train we'll have to go into London to go back out again which seems a bit daft.
Are we right to be concerned do you know with weekend traffic during the holidays? Would we be better off parking just outside Brighton and going in by bus or train? Any tips gratefully received. 3 adults and 2 children, both old enough to walk in our party so logistically we should be able to handle anything. We plan to arrive in Brighton about 12 noon.

Thanks all

The guys got the right idea!
Park and ride. Lots of little stations just outside Brighton
The university campus at Falmer has a station, 10 mins from Brighton station. Parking should be fine their.

Drive to Hove instead, so much easier than driving through the centre of Brighton. The A27 route to Hove is usually clear of traffic unlike the standstill in Brighton and the seafront all joins up with Hove anyway. Halfway between Hove and Brighton on the beach is a fab childrens play area and splash pool. It is so much easier to park on Hove seafront then stroll down the promenade towards Brighton, it all merges into one anyway it's difficult to know where Hove ends and Brighton starts.

thanks guys. I think we're going to do as you suggest Trifle and park in Hove. Now we just need the weather to stay fine and we should have a great day.