The Lanes

Brighton's original fishing village survives as a maze of narrow medieval streets filled with independent shops, antique stores, and cafes. The area between North Street and the seafront contains over 300 shops in buildings dating from the 16th century, making it England's most concentrated shopping quarter. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Brighton, especially paired with nearby Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. Tickets cost Free to browse, items £5-£500+ and 2-3 hours is enough to see everything without rushing.

Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 2-3 hours Best for: browse unique antiques Skip if: You prefer modern shopping centers or have claustrophobia in narrow spaces Cost: Free to browse, items £5-£500+

Walk in without a plan and browse. The stalls closest to the entrance are the most tourist-facing - the better finds tend to be deeper in. Talk to the stallholders if something catches your eye.

Accessibility: Uneven cobblestones and narrow passages make wheelchair access difficult in some areas

Browse unique antiques and vintage items in medieval streets that preserve Brighton's fishing village character. It is not the first thing you should see in Brighton, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and Royal Pavilion - together they fill a solid half-day. Mornings are quieter if you want to take your time.

Skip if: You prefer modern shopping centers or have claustrophobia in narrow spaces

• Many shops are cash-only so bring money.
• Narrow streets get very crowded during weekends.
• Look for the tiny Druid's Head pub, Brighton's smallest.

Insider tip: The best vintage jewellery is at Pecksniff's Boudoir, hidden down a tiny alley off Ship Street

Narrow streets create dramatic perspective shots, colourful shop fronts make great subjects