In some way I’ve discovered myself visiting Brighton in winter extra usually than summer time, regardless of being considered one of my closest stretches of seaside. Nevertheless it hardly issues: with quirky retailers to browse, some nice locations to eat, good boutique lodges and an entire string of sights, I’ve had some vastly enjoyable weekend breaks in sunshine and wet days in Brighton with children.
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As a result of whereas town is understood for its quirky, edgy model, I like visiting Brighton with youngsters. It’s a vastly household pleasant metropolis, so if our household days out is likely to be slightly totally different to my visits pre-daughter, there are nonetheless loads of issues to do in Brighton for youths.
Most of those will work year-round (relying on the climate!) and I’ve caught to sights in Brighton itself, however you’ve obtained Hove on the doorstep in addition to some beautiful countryside, historic buildings and extra Sussex days out simply outdoors town, in addition to some implausible sandy seashores in Sussex.
Brighton Sea Life Centre
The world’s oldest working aquarium, it’s solely a shell’s throw away from the ocean itself with greater than 150 creatures to see on the Brighton Sea Life Centre.
Set in placing Victorian constructing, there are common particular exhibitions, in addition to quite a lot of totally different underwater habitats, stamp path, behind the scenes tour, and many extra to find together with the UK’s first glass-bottom boat inside, actions for youths and the now compulsory underwater tunnel.
One of many latest additions is the particular Day and Evening space displaying how the oceans change over the course of 24 hours, together with a bioluminescent seaside.
Save 10% should you e-book on-line prematurely. Simply among the best issues to do in Brighton with toddlers.
i360
With its statement pod rising to 138m up the 162m excessive tower, the British Airways i360 is the nation’s highest statement tower outdoors London.
Proper on the seafront searching to the previous West Pier, there’s additionally a beachside cafe. On a transparent day you’ll be able to see for miles alongside the coast, with town’s the most effective views for the reason that Brighton ferris wheel was closed.
Skip the road and e-book free cancellation tickets right here.
The Kings Highway playground can be a stone’s throw from the bottom of the i360 for some added enjoyable afterwards (or for one father or mother to amuse youthful children in the event that they don’t fancy hovering as much as the heavens).
The Royal Pavilion
One of many symbols of Brighton, this flamboyantly iconic royal constructing is definitely nice for visiting with children. You should purchase a children’ path for a small price (50p once we visited) recognizing a few of the animals dotted all through the opulent rooms, or simply amuse your self discovering all of the dragons on the Royal Pavilion.
And employees will actively encourage you to have a lie down on the carpet within the music room to see the chandelier rising to the gold patterned ceiling.
Tickets may be prebooked or purchased on the door (reserving prematurely is really useful at common instances), with free return visits for a 12 months included in a regular ticket. There are additionally household tickets out there.
Purchase particular person or household tickets with free cancellation right here
Brighton Museum & Artwork Gallery
Within the Royal Pavilion’s gardens, the museum has Historical Egyptian mummies, vogue, artwork, displays about Brighton itself and an LGBTQ path.
In addition they run particular household classes at half-term and in class holidays, so there may be at all times one thing on for household days out in Brighton.
Tickets may be booked on-line or purchased on the door, and also you get free return entry for a 12 months with commonplace admission.
Hit the seaside
Whether or not you’re planning to paddle, calm down within the solar or go for a stroll alongside the surf, a go to to the seaside is considered one of my favorite issues to do with children in Brighton.
The shingle seaside may not lend itself to sandcastles but it surely’s nice for wandering alongside, even in winter – and also you’ll nonetheless discover individuals promoting ice cream.
Promenade alongside the promenade or uncover a few of the sudden seaside huts, seafood stalls, artist retailers and the Brighton Fishing Museum amongst different surprises alongside the seafront.
Maintain a watch out for the Mechanical Reminiscences Museum at 250c Kings Highway Arches – the UK’s oldest established classic penny arcade, there are nonetheless round 50 classic penny slot machines to play, some relationship again to the early 1900s – and Previous Time Amusements close by.
Good for reliving a little bit of the old style seaside earlier than heading again out to the ocean.
For the finest sandy seashores in Sussex, we’ve additionally explored alongside the coast to trace down some sandcastle-friendly favourites
Go to Brighton Pier
There’s a mixture of conventional rides, just like the carousel and dodgems, in addition to rollercoasters for older youngsters on Brighton Palace Pier.
It’s positively not simply old style enjoyable although, with updates like VR headsets to put on on the Tornado, for instance. Or should you’re visiting Brighton with youthful children, there’s an enormous four-storey smooth play space for kids 90cm and taller to discover – plus a toddler space for little ones underneath 0.9m as nicely.
Purchase your wristbands on-line prematurely, and it can save you as much as 25% in comparison with paying on the day, with totally different choices for kids of various heights.
Plus you’ll additionally discover eating places serving the whole lot from whelks to doughnuts, fish and chips and pizza plus Brighton rock (naturally).
Fly on the zip line
Zoom above the seaside and seafront on the longest and quickest zip line on the south coast of England – because it’s a twin zip line, you’ll be able to even race your loved ones and associates.
After climbing to the 32 excessive platform close to Brighton Pier, you’ll be able to pace above the shingle on the 300m lengthy zipwire to the touchdown stage on the seaside itself – designed to appear like the hull of a ship.
Accessible for age 6+ (so long as you’re 1.3m tall), it takes round 45 minutes and you could put on closed-toe sneakers. Purchase skip-the-line tickets right here.
Wander the Lanes
Good should you’re visiting with teenagers (or tweens) however there’s one thing for pre-schoolers within the Lanes too.
Between the homewares, vogue, classic and boutiques, the Portray Pottery Cafe lets you are taking your creations residence the identical day, or decide up a few days later.
Or take a look at the newest occasions at Komedia, which incorporates some nice Brighton children’ reveals among the many performances.
Half the enjoyable is simply strolling and searching, with loads of kitsch among the many stylish… to not point out an entire string of locations to seize an ice cream if that you must bribe/reward smaller family members. Try Brass Monkey ice cream and Boho Gelato amongst others.
There are many locations to eat across the Lanes too – sadly Rock Ola, with its retro American vibe and pancakes has shut, though should you head again in the direction of the seafront, JB’s American Diner has the same really feel.
Volks Electrical Railway
Inbuilt 1883, it’s Britain’s oldest electrical railway and runs for simply over a mile alongside the beachfront, from the Pier to Brighton Marina – good for small drained legs.
This one isn’t year-round although, usually you’ll be able to usually journey the Volks Electrical Railway from round Easter to the top of September.
After a significant renovation mission in 2018, and being compelled to shut briefly throughout lockdown, trains can be operating from April 2023 (topic to the climate).
No have to prebook tickets, and canine are additionally welcome on board.
Sales space Museum of Pure Historical past
Based as a Victorian collector’s non-public museum, the Sales space Museum is a type of barely eccentric collections that the UK appears to concentrate on – infinite instances of birds displayed of their pure setting (full with eagles pouncing on lambs) plus skeletons and dinosaur bones.
Youthful children will most likely be fascinated by it, together with the 2 bears on the entrance, older ones would possibly discover it a bit creepier.
Free to enter, though it’s a must to stroll by means of the small present store on the best way out and in.
Brighton Toy Museum
A whopping 4 thousand sq. ft dedicated to toys and fashions, with greater than 10,000 within the assortment on the Brighton Toy Museum.
Sitting underneath town’s station, there’s loads of mannequin trains for mini prepare spotters, plus basic teddy bears, Dinky automobiles and puppets.
Good for reliving your personal childhood on the similar time. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so should you’re visiting on the weekend, be sure that it’s first in your listing.
Tickets may be prebooked on-line or purchased on arrival.
The Previous Police Cells
One for older children, the combination of native police memorabilia and tales of extra grotesque crimes sits alongside a few of the previous cells themselves underneath Brighton’s City Corridor.
You must be part of a guided tour to go to the Previous Police Cells – presently there are two operating at 10.30 and 11.30 on Saturdays, with extra instances anticipated for 2023, or greater teams also can e-book by appointment.
There’s additionally a brand new household path and displays on ladies in policing coming for 2023.
The Upside Down Home
One among a number of Upside Down Homes throughout the UK, it’s enormous enjoyable watching everybody apparently standing on the ceiling or in any other case defying the legal guidelines of gravity.
Straightforward to pop into, on the seafront reverse West Pier, seize just a few pictures within the weirdest positions yow will discover – stretch out to seize a cup, bounce off the partitions or glue your self to the ceiling alongside the best way.
There are two flooring to discover (the bottom ground is accessible however there are stairs to the higher ground)
Tickets may be prebooked on-line, and you’ve got 20 minutes inside (no re-entry) so it’s nicely value testing a few of the pictures on-line for inspiration earlier than you go.
The Cauldon
Add some magic to your day trip in Brighton with children with a go to to The Cauldron, the place you’ll be able to refuel with a spot of potion making.
After a welcome drink poured by magic wand, you’ll even be geared up with a wand of your personal to brew up two extra molecular cocktails – non-alcoholic variations additionally included.
The potion making expertise is ready inside a wizard-themed bar and restaurant and is simply appropriate for youths aged 5+, with particular weekday and Sunday time slots out there for households.
Take a free strolling tour
Uncover a facet of Brighton that many guests by no means see on a strolling tour with one of many Brighton Greeters.
A part of the Worldwide Greeters community, it matches native residents with guests (so it’s a must to e-book prematurely) to offer you a free tailor-made tour of town – normally round two hours lengthy.
Youngsters are welcome too, so it’s a good way to get an perception into town and discover your bearings initially of a visit.
Try the Treasure Map Trails assortment, together with the Brighton Pavilion map for one more enjoyable solution to discover Brighton with children – get 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.
Brighton Bike Tour
The household model of the Brighton Bike Excursions takes you previous the sights and alongside the seafront, with a information to indicate you the most effective cycle routes and let you know all concerning the metropolis.
The common tour lasts round 2 1/2 hours should you’re visiting with older children (tickets may be reserved prematurely, pay nearer to the time with free cancellation choices).
Or contact them straight for personal household tour choices, which have to be booked prematurely. There’s additionally bike rent should you fancy exploring solo, in addition to the Brighton Bikeshare scheme (anticipated to restart once more in 2023).
Brighton Bus Tour
Open-top bus excursions are at all times choice should you’re visiting with youthful children – good for seeing a few of the highlights whereas saving your power for extra exploring later.
The Metropolis Sightseeing tour of Brighton – which runs from April to October – together with the hop-on hop-off bus tour but in addition provides you limitless bus journey on all Brighton and Hove bus companies if you wish to discover additional afield.
There’s an audio information to offer you extra background on the stops alongside the route, with greater than 10 locations to hop on and off, ranging from Brighton Pier and passing the Royal Pavilion alongside the best way.
You possibly can e-book tickets with one or two day validity, together with a reduction utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6 should you e-book by means of this hyperlink.
Preston Park
Whereas the seafront is without doubt one of the metropolis’s greatest sights for households, should you’re in search of some inexperienced house throughout your journey to Brighton with children, Preston Park is the most important in Brighton.
A 15-minute bus journey from the centre (or round 10 minutes by bike), it’s considered one of eight award-winning Inexperienced Flag parks, and sometimes hosts occasions together with circuses, festivals and concert events plus different household actions.
However everytime you go to, save a while to discover The Rockery, with walkways main by means of the streams and waterways – simply throughout the highway from the primary park.
And don’t miss recognizing the final of the ‘Preston Twins’, thought of to be the biggest and oldest elm tree in Europe – its twin, sadly, fell sufferer to illness a few years in the past – over in the direction of Preston Manor within the north of the park.
The Open Market
After an enormous redevelopment, the historic market on London highway now homes greater than 50 native companies for an opportunity to seize some nice meals or snaffle a memento.
It’s a enjoyable choice should you’re in search of locations to eat in Brighton with children – mini foodies will love the selection, with the whole lot from Korean and sushi to falafel, Greek and Bangladeshi, together with conventional faves for extra choosy children like sausage rolls.
Alongside the best way there’s natural chocolate, a French patisserie, artwork and crafts, classic vogue and collectibles.
For extra issues to do in Sussex with children, take a look at my prime picks, together with extra concepts for east Sussex
**First revealed 2015, up to date 2023**
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN BRIGHTON WITH KIDS
Disclosure: I’ve beforehand obtained free entry to the Sea Life Centre but in addition paid to go to: all selections for this listing of issues to do in Brighton with children and opinions stay my very own. This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photos: Deckchairs, aquarium exterior, Pavilion, the wrong way up home and promenade courtesy of Depositphotos; i360 courtesy of VisitBritain; Preston Park courtesy of Picfair; all others copyright MummyTravels
