Brighton Private Self-Guided Tour

We start our tour at one of Brighton’s most famous landmarks; The Palace Pier, commonly known as ‘Brighton Pier’. The pier was the third to be constructed after the Royal Suspension Chain Pier, (which now no longer exists), and the West Pier, the remains of which stand to the west of the Palace Pier that we will see on a later stop.

Located behind its imposing gated entrance, The Sealife Centre (previously ‘The Brighton Aquarium’) is the oldest operating aquarium in the world. Opened in 1872, the Brighton Aquarium was designed by English architect Eugenius Birch.

The first thing you may notice about this beautiful lift is its striking green gingerbread roof tiling. Please note that it is open from Good Friday to the last Sunday in September.

Just below Madeira Lift, If you are able to travel down, you will alight the lift in Concorde ll, a sixteen-foot ceilinged, black-painted, 600-capacity indie entertainment venue, which has seen performances over the years from such celebrated musical artists as Melanie C, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Jarvis Cocker.

Architecture and literary fans alike will thoroughly enjoy the next stop of our tour, when, approaching an imposing crescent of white Regency townhouses which lead from Lewes Crescent to Sussex Square. This impressive and stately neighbourhood forms part of the 19th-century Kemp Town Estate, designed by Charles Busby and Amon Henry Wilds after it was financed by Thomas Read Kemp, from whom the area takes its name.

This attractive artisan quarter of the city provides two contrasting environments for visitors and residents; the area to the east of Lower Rock Gardens, which is the next part of the tour, where we will see the many independent pubs, restaurants, boutiques and markets that make up this historical sanctuary, far from the madding crowd, that later leads to the more vibrant and bustling St. James Street area of Kemptown.

In present times this thriving area of Brighton is arguably most famous for housing its LGBTQ+ community, holding a street party for Pride each year away from the main venue at Preston Park. However, starting out as a quiet fishing village in the early 1800s, St. James’s Street has seen many dramatic changes over the years.

Fighting its place as the most famous Brighton landmark, the striking Royal Pavilion is a Grade l listed, former Royal residence which dates back to 1787. It was originally built as a seaside residence for the Prince of Wales, who later became the Prince Regent in 1811.

Despite the singular term, North ‘Laine’, this much-loved area actually covers a succession of lanes and streets that give this sought-after location its name. Established as a fishing village at the time of the Doomsday Book, archaeological finds have proven that the area dates back to the Bronze Age. Discover the outstanding story behind these streets.

The third oldest surviving building in the city of Brighton and Hove is the beautiful St. Nicholas of Myra Church, which is located on a quiet corner at the junction of Church Street and Dyke Road.

This is a location often overlooked by visitors to Brighton, yet is one of great interest due to its period charm, photogenic architectural exterior and deceptive maze of nooks, crannies and secret enclosed terraces. An eclectic array of bric a brac, pictures and artefacts can be found in every corner of this Aladdin’s Cave encased in a Regency public house.

Originally known as Belle Vue Field, the site has seen numerous uses during its time, including often being used as a military encampment. It was heralded as a fine example of seaside architecture and provided unobstructed views of the sea, and later, what became to be known as The West Pier.

Formerly known as the ‘Brighton i360’, the British Airways i360 is an observation tower standing 162m high on the central section of Brighton’s seafront.

The West Pier is just as iconic nowadays, in its skeletal state of disrepair, as it was back in its thriving, Victorian heyday. Designed by Eugenius Birch, the West Pier was opened in 1866. Discover the amazing history behind this incredible landmark with Spencer.

The Grand is a stunning Victorian seafront hotel, which is arguably the most expensive and exclusive in the city of Brighton and Hove. The building was designed by John Whichcord Jr. and was built in 1864 to provide an executive place to stay for the upper classes visiting the city.

Whilst this section of our tour is entitled ‘Boyces Street’, it actually includes an enchanting journey through a collection of ancient, narrow walkways which remain some of Brighton’s best-kept secrets.

Growing from a small fishing village to a thriving and fashionable seaside resort, Brighton had seen an extensive change in its development by the end of the 19th Century. In 1897, architect Lewis Karslake designed what is now The Hippodrome, but the site was originally intended as an ice rink.

Just as Ship Street meets the seafront, on the right-hand side you will see the splendid, Gothic building which now houses the exclusive Hotel du Vin.

Not to be confused with the North Laine, Brighton’s South Lanes are positioned to the south side of North Street and stretch to the seafront from West Street and The Old Steine. Arguably one of the most famous attractions to tourists, visitors and indeed, locals.

Formerly The Albion Hotel, The Royal Albion Hotel is a 3-star hotel on Brighton’s seafront. Facing the Old Steine Gardens to the North, (which accommodates a major part of the Fringe Festival each year), the hotel was built on the site of a house belonging to Richard Russell, a famous character of the city who will be largely described on our tour.