London to Brighton day trip

Are you looking for the perfect day trip from London, somewhere with a unique sense of character and fresh sea air? Then you must go on this London to Brighton day trip.

I for one am a London “escapee”. Having lived in London for 8 years and constantly coming to Brighton for the sea air, I made the move to Sussex 6 years ago and haven’t looked back.

Although I am slightly down the coast, in Worthing, Brighton remains my go to for a fun day or night out!

With a direct train from London Victoria, escape the big smoke to this vibrant seaside City, brimming with independent shops, restaurants and local businesses. 

Where is Brighton and why visit

Brighton is a City on the South East Coast of England, located in East Sussex. It is approximately 51 miles from London.

A Brighton One Day Trip is a must-do because:

• Thriving Independent Food Scene: Brighton has a thriving independent foodie scene, with a real focus on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. There is also a thriving plant-based food scene here, if that is your thing. From cozy cafes to fine dining, you will find a range of diverse cuisine in Brighton.
• Interesting History: Brighton also has a number of significant, historical landmarks of interest, such as the stunning Royal Pavillion, Brighton Pier, Preston Manor and the old Duke of York Picture House.
• Natural Beauty: Many people don’t realize that Brighton is surrounded by stunning landscapes. Enveloped by the rolling South Downs and to the east, the glistening white chalk cliffs are another natural wonder to see. The seaside is a welcome breath of fresh air when traveling from London.
• LGBTQIA+ friendly: Brighton must be one of the most inclusive Cities for LQBTQIA+ community. This can help people from this community feel safer to socialize and to feel more accepted. Many businesses fly the flag, there are many gay friendly venues and Brighton hosts a huge gay pride parade each year

Getting to Brighton from London on a day trip

Brighton is just a 58-74 minute train journey from either London Victoria or London Blackfriars, depending if you get the quickest train. 

Brighton from London by train can be a fairly straightforward journey if there are no delays and if you plan ahead. London to Brighton train times can be easily searched on the Trainline app.

Unfortunately there is no Brighton London travel card, as Brighton is outside of Zone 6. However, you can save money by buying an advanced ticket.

A Brighton to London taxi might be expensive, however if there is a small group of you traveling, this might work out as a more comfortable and flexible way to travel back.

There is a Brighton coach to London and vice versa that takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes, which is considerably more and I would not recommend taking the bus.

Getting around Brighton

Once you get to Brighton, it is a fairly walkable City, with a slightly sloping gradient from the station to the seafront. There are local buses too if you need public transport to get around once you are there.

Best London to Brighton Tours

There are such great tours, some run by local experts in Brighton. This Brighton Walking Food Tour is a must do whilst on your day trip to Brighton!

It is run by a local friend of mine and I can confirm she is just amazing. This walking food tour has seven incredible food stops highlighting some of Brighton’s quirky foodie hotspots. 

From award winning burgers, artisan gelato and the creamiest hummus from a family run firm. This food tour can be tailored to your dietary needs too for eg. vegan, vegetarian or gluten free.

This is a great insight into Brighton’s culinary delights, seaside tradition and hippy values.

What to see and do in Brighton in one day

Brighton must be one of the most unique Cities in the UK. There are so many Thing To Do in Brighton and as a local, I never get bored.

If I was to spend one day in Brighton for the first time again, this is exactly what I would do. As Brighton is a City, it is almost impossible to do it all in a day, but there are some key areas not to miss.

The Royal Pavillion

Book your Royal Brighton Pavillon ticket and get a real insight into the charm and history behind this iconic building recognizable by its onion shaped domes on the exterior.

Brimming with extravagance and wonder, the Royal Pavillion was home to three monarchs. It also served as a military hospital during the first world war.

It was designed taking inspiration from Indian architecture on the exterior, with inspiration drawn from Chinese design for the interiors. 

It really is a feast for the eyes and a top cultural activity to do on your London day trip to Brighton. It is especially magical in winter, when the gardens are all lit up and the ice rink is installed, with the buildings reflection on the ice.

Fun facts: George VI was a bit of a party animal and would host lavish parties at the Pavillion, with it being built as a “pleasure palace”. It is also believed there are secret tunnels beneath the Royal Pavillion Palace, which some claim were used for George VI to pursue his affair. Others say these tunnels were for staff to use to get around so they would not be seen in the Palace.

The Lanes

The Lanes are a must see during a day out in Brighton and are just a ten minute walk from Brighton Station. They are famous for their character and charm, with winding streets and twittens lined with interesting shops, places to eat and drink, hidden squares, pubs and more. 

Some parts of the Lanes date back to the 16th Century when Brighton was an old fishing village. Join this walking tour and explore the many twittens and learn about the history of Brighton’s Old Town.

Head to the North Laines first, which are packed with record shops, vintage stores, cute cafes and colorful shop fronts. You will find market type stalls in the North Laines selling all sorts from jewelry, sunglasses and interesting nik naks.

You may also come across interesting wall murals on your way. This is such a nice activity to do on your first Brighton day trip, just enjoy wandering down these charming, bustling streets. 

The South Lanes are a little more upmarket and are famous for the jewellery stores. Do the South Lanes in the PM.

Stop for Coffee

Did you know there are roughly 340 independent cafes in Brighton? Which is amazing, offering up some of the most de-licious caffeinated beverages (and non-caffeinated, if preferred). I beg you to avoid the big chains at all costs and support the local, indie coffee shops. Here are my top picks:

• Loam is a scandi-chic cafe known for it’s signature coffees and delicately crafted cold brew coffees. They also serve the best cinnamon buns and other baked goods which are just delicious 
• Loaft is a beautiful concept store and cafe in the South Lanes. This is a very chilled cafe serving deliciously brewed drinks, lavender matcha lattes (my favorite!). This place transforms into a chic wine bar in the evening time
• Also if you are more of a cake fan, then absolutely get yourself down to the Garden Cafe. Always beautifully decorated and with a very aesthetically pleasing floral doorway, there is a vast selection of freshly baked cakes here.

Brighton Palace Pier

Visiting Brighton Palace Pier is a classic British seaside activity. There are a host of amusements and rides on here, if this is your thing. You can enjoy a drink in the lovely Palm Court or Horatio’s Bar and admire the sweeping sea views. 

Grab some Fish and Chips

There is something so satisfying about going to the English seaside and enjoying top notch, classic fish and chips. The great thing about this meal is it is fairly budget friendly, with generous portions and it is filling.

Head to Captains, which is right next to the Brighton Pier. They offer refillable chips too! You can take it away usually for cheaper and eat it on the beach.

Insider tip: If you are eating your fish and chips on the beach, be aware of the pesky seagulls who will be watching you like a hawk! They can swoop down with their eyes on the prize aka your fish. They are so quick and nifty about it. They stole a fish goujon from my daughters hand once and drew blood from her finger. Don’t worry though it is not usually such a horror story!

The vegan alternative – If you are vegan and seeking an alternative to fish and chips then head to No Catch, where they offer “Tofish and Chips”.

Potter the Seafront

Honestly, a refreshing walk along the seafront is so underrated. Since this is a one day itinerary, lets keep it breezy and enjoy what Brighton Seafront has to offer.

My advice is to wander along West from the pier and you will find a mish mash of cute artsy stores, gallery’s, gift shops and places to buy snacks. Walk towards the old West Pier and take in the sweeping views of the English Channel. 

The old West Pier experienced a catastrophic fire in 2003 and it was believed to have been arson. There were two arson attacks in this same year with the second being the most devastating. On-lookers report seeing a figure speeding off into the distance on a small boat. The supposed perpetrator has never been caught.

Today the haunting skeletal remains of the West Pier remain and offer a beautiful backdrop to a sunset.

Enjoy Ice Cream by the Sea

When I am in Brighton and on my foodie adventures, my go to for a sweet treat is always Boho Gelato.

Serving the most delicious, creamiest Italian gelato, there are always fun and exciting flavors to choose from. The reason I love it so much is they always have a decent dairy-free selection, which works so well for us as a family with allergies.

Boho Gelato keep it on theme for Brighton, using locally sourced ingredients for their gelato. Make sure to grab your loyalty card, as you will be back again for more!

The Upside Down House

Visit Brighon’s Upside Down House, a topsy turvy, immersive experience. Get your camera ready as you insert yourself into these fun optical illusions.

This is such a fun activity to do along Brighton seafront. Interestingly, the interiors are chic and designed to reflect Brighton’s creative spirit.

I360 viewing platform

Visit Brighton’s i360, an iconic landmark that is Europe’s tallest viewing platform, coming in at 450 feet tall. The i360 offers customers stunning, panoramic views of Brighton City below, the surrounding countryside, English Channel and the quaint the beach below.

If you are an adrenaline seeker, then book the Sky Walk experience! Experienced instructors will take you outside the pod at 138 metres high, and you walk around the outside of the pod (harnessed, phew!) while braving the elements.

End with dinner

Where to eat & drink in Brighton 

Brighton punches way above its weight when it comes to food. You’ll find everything from proper seaside fish and chips to vegan spots, and fine dining.

• Social Board – Great for stacked sandwiches, soups, burgers, salads, and solid vegan options. Warm, buzzy vibe, generous portions, and daily specials. Their lunchtime deal hands out free chips with their self-proclaimed “sexy sandwiches,” which is exactly as fun as it sounds.
• FilFil Café – My go-to for proper Middle Eastern falafel. The wraps are loaded with fresh salad and ridiculously creamy hummus, and their meal deals make it even easier to justify coming back again and again.
• Dishoom – An all-day Indian café-bar in the Lanes. Perfect for sharing plates so you can taste your way through the menu. I’m loyal to Aunty’s Masala Eggs and the Charred Sweet Potato, and the Black Daal is basically a religion. I always leave here full and deeply content.
• Pearly Cow – A cosy, elegant spot near the seafront inside four connected Georgian/Regency townhouses. The menu leans into “fire and ice”—think oysters on ice, and beautiful cuts of meat cooked over an open flame, plus seasonal, local produce. 
  Excellent service, great cocktails, vegan options, and the best crème brûlée I’ve ever had. I still think about it more than I should.

Where to stay in Brighton

Brighton is packed with characterful places to stay, especially along the seafront and in the Kemptown/Lanes area. You’ll find independent boutiques, grand historic hotels, and stylish design-led stays within easy walking distance of everything.

Best time to visit Brighton

The best time to visit Brighton is midweek and in May and June. You will get good weather and miss the weekend and summer crowds for a better experience.

The Lanes in Brighton really come alive this time of year also, with many venues providing outdoor seating and buskers a plenty filling the air with melodic tunes.

Brighton is a peak destination for local tourists and can get very busy in the summer holidays. The beach can get very crowded this time of year as many people will also be on a day trip to Brighton from London.

If you are seeking seaside day trips from London better suited for peak summer, then I highly recommend checking out all of the great Things To Do in Worthing.