Day 1 - Royal Heritage & Pier Culture
Brighton Royal Pavilion
Guided tour of the 1787 Indo-Gothic palace. The Banqueting Room features a ceiling with hand-painted dragons and clouds covering 1,250 square feet. The Music Room contains decorative details including carved wooden dragons and gilt decorations.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Comprehensive collection of Egyptian mummies, Art Deco furniture, contemporary art, and exhibits on Brighton's social development. The museum documents the resort's history from the 18th century through the current day, including dedicated galleries on LGBTQ+ history and culture.
Brighton Pier
Spend the afternoon on the pier. Built in 1899, it extends 1,722 feet into the sea. Features include the mechanical Penny Lane arcade, bumper cars, and the Ghost Train dark ride. The pier's restaurant and bars offer drinks with English Channel views.
North Laine shopping & Seven Dials
Independent vintage shops, record stores, and cafes. Seven Dials junction contains cocktail bars including Graze (rooftop seating) and Tommy Flynn's. This district shows Brighton's creative retail culture with businesses typically owner-operated rather than chain stores.
The Graze Inn (fish and chips, £12-16) or Terre a Terre (vegetarian, £14-20)
Terre a Terre (vegetarian fine dining, £24-35) or Plateau (Modern British, £18-28)