48 Hours in Brighton in Winter

There’s certainly a whole lot more to Brighton than the annual tabloid front page ‘Hottest Day of the Year’ photo of packed beaches under a hazy heat. In winter, the city continues to buzz with so many things to see and do in Brighton from fabulous events, theatre, live music, comedy, world-class restaurants, shopping and brisk seafront walks with stunning sunsets which make Brighton a year-round UK destination.

DAY 1

Start the day with coffee and shopping in the North Laine Area of Brighton. You’ll find bohemian, eclectic and retro shops packed with vintage fashion, designer jewellery, original gifts and for those who love a rummage for treasures, Snooper’s Paradise is just what it says on the tin. Brighton also has an abundance of markets, from the Open Market to other weekly and seasonal pop up markets to explore.

With a coffee-scene to rival Hoxton, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to where to sample the perfect blend. Brighton-born and bred coffee houses such as Small Batch Coffee Company, Ground and a multitude of independents all provide first-rate coffee.

Brighton Pavilion & Museum

The Brighton Pavilion is just a short walk away, with its outdoor ice rink ready for you to pirouette around or hold onto the sides, until the end of January. A visit inside the Pavilion’s immaculately maintained, decadent rooms is also worthwhile. The Brighton Museum curates some interesting exhibitions such as fine art, fashion and design exhibitions.

Lunch like a Brightonian

Worked up an appetite yet? The North Laine’s restaurant offering is a vegan’s delight with a multitude of small, independent, sustainable places to eat. You may also enjoy a quick lunch stop at Italian tapas restaurant CIN CIN which offer a selection of delicious small plates, visit Casa Don Carlos for small plates of a Spanish variety or La Choza for something spicier, with its take on Mexican street food.

Winter Brighton Promenade Walk

In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll or brisk walk along Brighton’s seafront. Watch the skies change from crisp and clear to dark and moody and the sea from looking-glass calm to stormy and turbulent. The winter months play host to the mesmerising starling murmurations over the crumbling West Pier and if it’s a crisp, cold day you’ll be treated to a spectacular sunset.

Brighton’s Restaurant Scene

For dinner, Brighton’s restaurants offer every type of cuisine you can dream of. From South Indian Street Food teamed up with a large selection of craft beers at the Curry Leaf Cafe, high-quality, locally sourced steak at The Coal Shed, modern British seafood dishes at The Coal Shed’s sister restaurant, The Salt Room or more traditional fish plates at Brighton’s oldest, family-run fish restaurant (est. 1945), the iconic English’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Vegetarians and vegans won’t be short-changed for choice with restaurants where non-veggies have always been happy to dine (even my meat and two veg husband), award-winning Terre a Terre and Food for Friends.

If it’s a quick pre-show bite you are after then Tinto Taperia, Al Duomo or VIP Pizza are all great options.

Brighton’s night life extends from the bars and clubs to pre and post West End touring plays and musicals and Russian ballet companies at the charming and historic Theatre Royal. See internationally celebrated singers, bands, comedians and djs perform at the Brighton Centre and Dome. For an evening of chuckles visit the comedy club at Komedia.

DAY 2

Weave through the winding South Lanes past both antique and contemporary jewellery shops as well as a collection of interesting independent boutiques.

Did Someone Say Fish and Chips?

For today’s lunch stop how about traditional fish & chips at the iconic Regency Restaurant in Regency Square, with views of the seafront, West Pier and British Airways i360? Or, if you are in Brighton on a Sunday then it has to be a Sunday Roast!

Explore Brighton and Surrounding Areas

In the afternoon you can either walk off your lunch with a wander through another area of Brighton and Hove such as Kemp Town or Hove or take the undercliff pass from the Marina to Rottingdean. Maybe you’d prefer something more relaxing: the Beach Box Brighton offers outdoor, wood-fired saunas right on the seafront and there’s the Float Spa in Hove for one of their float therapies where you float in a pod of Epsom Salt water.

For dinner cosy up in a pub (there are over 900 to choose from!), for some gastro pub grub, a Brighton Gin and tonic, a glass of wine or a pint of local Sussex Ale. We recommend The Gingerman in Norfolk Square or The Bristol Bar in Brighton’s bohemian Kemp Town area. Then it’s probably back to your hotel for a night cap and a good nights’ sleep…or maybe not…

Accommodation Bookings for Brighton Winter Breaks:

Blanch House, Brighton’s original boutique hotel, would be delighted to welcome you for your perfect winter break in Brighton. Take advantage of our Winter Offers.

Book online, call us on 01273 603504 or email info@blanchhouse.co.uk and we’ll be glad to assist you with your booking and any further information on Brighton.

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