Brighton is one of England’s most iconic seaside destinations. A place where classic British charm meets creative, quirky energy. There are amazing things to do in Brighton for all ages. Whether you’re visiting for a sunny day by the beach, a weekend getaway, or a full family holiday, Brighton delivers the perfect mix of fun and relaxation. From classic rides on Brighton Palace Pier to the pebble beach and unique shops, this guide for families covers everything you need to know about visiting Brighton, England, as a family.
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How Long to Spend in Brighton, England
We used to live 30 minutes away, so we have done many day trips to Brighton. Now we live in London, and our most recent trip was just for one night. I’m so pleased we spent the weekend in Brighton, rather than as a day trip from London with young children!
If you have longer, you could easily fill 2 or 3 days in Brighton!
The Best Time of Year to Visit Brighton
If you’re planning a trip to Brighton as a family and want to enjoy the beach, you will likely have the best weather in the summer (although in England, it is never guaranteed). With great weather comes big crowds, especially on the weekends, as so many people will visit as a day trip.
Personally, I really love wrapping up warm and walking along the seafront on a fresh winter’s day, but I dont think my children would!
One of the lovely things about staying the night in Brighton was that we could go out early and explore before all the crowds arrived!
Top Brighton Hotels for Families
There are plenty of great hotels in Brighton for families.
Budget: This was a last-minute trip for us, and we stayed at the Premier Inn Brighton City Centre. It was ideal for a family visit. The location couldn’t be better, just a short walk from Brighton Pier, the beach, and plenty of restaurants and cafés. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable, making it a great base if you plan to spend most of your time exploring. Breakfast was also included in our stay, and we made the most of the buffet before exploring!
Luxury: The Grand Brighton is an icon, perfect if you’re looking for a classic seaside stay with a little luxury. The elegant Victorian hotel has been recently renovated and overlooks the beach. It also offers beautiful family rooms, an on-site restaurant, and excellent service — ideal for a special weekend getaway.
Things to do in Brighton as a Family
There are so many great things to do in Brighton with kids, which I will share below.
Relax on Brighton Beach
Not to be confused with Brighton Beach in California (we have a family guide on Los Angeles linked here). Brighton Beach in England is a pebble beach. My favourite moment from our trip was sitting on the beach, watching my children throw pebbles into the sea and running away from the waves.
In England, the sea will be cold, even in summer. Some people (not me) were swimming, if you plan to do this, take a change of clothes and a towel with you!
EARLY MORNING RELAXING ON BRIGHTON BEACH
Enjoy the Rides at Brighton Pier
Brighton Palace Pier is probably the most iconic place in Brighton to visit. Kids and grownups alike will love it! The pier is full of rides, arcade games and classic slot machines.
Recently, the Pier has started charging an entrance fee. You now have to pay £2 per adult and £1 for children under 12, just to enter. A family (2 adults and up to 4 children) costs £5. This ticket is valid for the day, so keep hold of it and you can leave and re-enter if you wish. Of course, you have to pay for the rides as well.
If you pre-purchase the unlimited rides wristband in advance, online, you dont have to pay the additional entry fee.
Is the Brighton Palace Pier Ride Wristband Worth it?
Firstly, if you’re planning a family trip to Brighton and plan to go on a lot of the pier rides, you should buy the wristband in advance as it’s 20% cheaper than on the day. Online, the wristbands cost £26 for adults and £21 for kids under 1.2 meters tall. This includes unlimited rides and also access to the soft play with the children’s band.
It does not include the slot machines and other arcade games. It also doesn’t include a lot of the games on the pier where you can win a prize, for example, the ball toss pictured below.
We chose not to purchase the wristbands, and this was the right decision for us. Our kids went on one ride each, and everything else they wanted to do wasn’t included. If you’re visiting Brighton with older kids, it may be worth it for you! Find out more and purchase on the Brighton Pier website linked here.
Top Tip: We gave our kids (ages 5 and 2 years old) £10 each to spend on whatever they liked. Giving them this at the start stopped them from asking for more and more, and gently introduced them to money management!
ENJOYING THE PIER ON OUR FAMILY TRIP TO BRIGHTON
Find a Playground
My kids absolutely love a playground, and it’s a great free way for them to burn off some energy. The King’s Road Playground (located by the i360) is a good-sized playground with a paddling pool area (the paddling pool is only open in summer) that kids will love.
While you’re there, have a look at the Old Brighton Pier (The West Pier). It burned down, but the remains can still be seen.
If you want to avoid the main Pier, there are also a few little rides on the seafront. These are ideal for toddlers and young children.
THE KING’S ROAD PLAYGROUND & A TODDLER RIDE ON BRIGHTON SEAFRONT
Enjoy the Views from the i360
The Brighton i360 is a popular attraction; it’s equivalent to The London Eye. We have passed it many times, but never actually done it ourselves. I still wanted to mention it here, so you can decide for yourself what to add to your itinerary!
Tickets for the Brighton i360 cost £18.50 for adults, £9 for kids and toddlers under 4 years old ride for free.
Marvel at The Brighton Pavilion
This isn’t really a kid-focused activity, but the Brighton Pavilion is one of the most beautiful buildings and well worth walking past! It was initially a palace built for King George IV and is now an art museum.
If you have a particular interest in art, you may want to visit here; if not, it’s beautiful to see from the outside! My kids also loved running on the “rainbow road” at the front of the building!
Tickets for the Brighton Pavilion cost £19.50 for adults, £11.75 for kids, and children under 5 years old are free.
THE PAVILION IN BRIGHTON AND THE LANES SHOPS
Wander the Lanes Shops
This was definitely a mum activity for our family, as my children do not care for shopping. I love wandering the Lanes in Brighton, there is so much to see!
Brighton has two sets of “Lanes”; the original Lanes, also known as the Historic Quarter, is a narrow maze of little passages. Here you’ll mainly find jewellery and antique stores. It can get busy here, and it’s not the easiest to navigate with small children and a pushchair!
Brighton also has North Lane, which is a separate set of roads stretching between Trafalgar Street and North Street. These are wider roads, lined with independent and vintage stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Colourful flags hang over the streets, and they add to the charm!
Visit the Sealife Centre
This is another thing we have not done but wanted to mention as an option, as I know the Brighton Sealife Centre is another thing to do in Brighton that is aimed at families. Located just a short walk from the Pier.
Like the Pier, tickets for the Sealife Centre are cheaper if you book in advance. The online price is £16 for adults, £14 for kids and under 2s visit for free.
Where to Eat in Brighton
There are so many options if you’re looking for places to eat in Brighton. You’ll find all the main chain restaurants and coffee shops, as well as many independent places.
It’s traditional that when you visit the seaside, you eat fish and chips! We usually get them from the shop right outside the Pier, but you will find so many options along the seafront!
Top Tip: watch out because the seagulls in Brighton have no fear. They would literally come down and take food from your hand!
If you’re looking for another option, Donatello is a great Italian restaurant. It is family-owned and very child-friendly. The food is also delicious!
DONATELLO ITALIANS PIZZA & FISH AND CHIPS BY THE SEA
Thank you so much for reading our guide on all the things to do in Brighton, England. We hope you enjoy your visit to the seaside!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
A DAT TRIP TO BRIGHTON FROM LONDON
A PERFECT DAY TRIP TO MARLOW, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.