Put simply, Brighton & Hove is a shopping and foodie paradise. A day trip will offer you a mere taster of the gazillion retail and dining delights on offer, but if you treat yourself to a longer visit, then you can explore, sample and digest so much more of what Brighton and Hove has for you to discover!

The North Laine

Brighton and Hove has lots of different shopping hubs to choose from. Within a five minute stroll of Brighton Station, you’ll come across the vibrant North Laine with its community of stylish boutiques, alluring gift shops, vintage stores, antique shops and independent restaurants – and on Saturdays there’s an outdoor market on Upper Gardner Street.

The Lanes

From the North Laine, keep walking in the direction of the seafront and, when you reach North Street, look out for signs pointing to the alleyways of the Lanes. Here, in the higgledy-piggledy labyrinth of the Lanes, you’ll find loads more fantastic independent shops – including lots of bedazzling jewellers – plus plenty of lively places to eat and drink, inside or alfresco. The Lanes and North Laine are such an integral part of Brighton’s personality, you simply can’t experience Brighton without seeing them!

Beyond the centre

Just a stone’s throw from the Lanes is the Churchill Square Shopping Centre, where you’ll find plenty of familiar high street brands, cafés and restaurants. From here you can grab a bus in pretty much any direction and take yourself off to explore alternative shopping hubs with lots of unique and artisan stores. These areas include the far end of Western Road and into Church Road, George Street, Blatchington Road and Portland Road in Hove; London Road between the Level and Preston Park; and Kemptown, the eastern part of Brighton near the seafront, with its villagey vibe.

The independent foodie and shopping scene extends throughout Sussex. Whichever direction you head in, you’ll find everything from wine, beer, cheese and honey to art, jewellery, ceramics and textiles, all produced locally. Be sure to treat yourself to some desirable Sussex goodies while you’re here, or better still, stock up on unique gifts for friends and family.

No matter which area you explore, you’ll always find there’s no shortage of outstanding quality restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs nearby. In fact, across the city you can pretty much find food from every corner of the world, from Greece to Gujurat, the Middle East to Mexico. If you’re looking for somewhere different and unforgettable, where the food will wow your tastebuds and you’ll want to keep the menu as a keepsake, then there are plenty of much-raved about foodie experiences to choose from. From taster plates to sharing platters, from backstreet gems to family-run pizzerias, from brunch to lunch to coffee and cake, your only problem will be choosing from so many options! And if you’re veggie, vegan or gluten-free, no problem – there’s still no shortage of choice.

Of course, the beauty of Brighton is that you don’t even have to go to a restaurant at all. You can enjoy takeaway on the beach or choose a restaurant online and have dinner delivered to your door.

One thing you’ve got to do before you leave, though, is to enjoy a relaxing drink – be it coffee or cocktails – on the seafront. No visit to Brighton is complete without a chilled out moment drinking in the sea views. It’s one of the things that makes our city so special!