>Brighton DIY Walking Tour Route Map <
Distance: 5.4 km (just over 3 miles); Duration: 2-8 hours
This circular DIY Walking Tour of Brighton is just 5.4 kilometres long (just over 3 miles). And as “normal” walking speed is around 7kph/4mph, this is a very easy 2 hour stroll (allow for a whole day though – as this will give you plenty of time to visit some of the best attractions in Brighton).
And, as this Brighton DIY Walking Tour route is indeed circular, theoretically, it can be made in either direction.
However, I would DEFINITELY recommend that you follow the route in a clockwise direction (as detailed here). This will ensure that the steeper parts of the route are made in a downhill direction, leaving a longer uphill return to Brighton Train Station at the end (as this stretches out the return incline over a longer distance – and it decreases the gradient of your return, making it as easy as is possible).
And also, being a circular route, you can start/end the Brighton DIY Walking Tour at any point (depending on the location of your central Brighton hotel perhaps?).
As most visitors to Brighton will arrive at Brighton Train Station though (perhaps on a daytrip to Brighton from London?), I will use there as the start/end point for this example.
Along the way, you will pass (and visit?) the following Brighton attractions:
Brighton Train Station > the North Laine area > Brighton Pavilion (aka Brighton Royal Pavilion) > The Lanes > SEA LIFE Brighton > an optional (and inaccessible) side-trip to the Volk’s Electric Railway > Brighton Palace Pier > a stroll along Brighton Beach Promenade > Brighton i360 > and finally returning to Brighton Train Station.
As well as these popular visitor attractions in central Brighton, the route of the Brighton DIY Walking Tour also passes numerous restaurants, cafes and bars, so you will never be far from a toilet in Brighton.
Also, because it’s a DIY walking tour of Brighton, you can take it at your very own pace; stopping for a coffee/snack/drink where, when, and for as long as you like; lingering at the attractions of Brighton which interest you (and speeding past those that don’t).
So if you were to simply rush round without stopping, you could easily complete the entire journey in around 2 hours. However, I would recommend taking a full day to complete this circular route from Brighton Train Station and back, as there are so many visitor attractions in Brighton.
Brighton DIY Walking Tour - Directions:
[These are very thorough walking directions – you shouldn’t be getting lost in Brighton when following this guide.
However, I definitely recommend that you follow the Google Streetview route of the entire Brighton DIY Walking Tour first, from the comfort of your own home before you even head down to Brighton, as this will allow you to better visualise the entire route before you arrive.
START: Brighton Train Station
[MAP]:
Getting started correctly is probably the trickiest part of the entire Brighton DIY Walking Tour – as, even although you will ultimately be heading LEFT, you have to leave Brighton Train Station by turning RIGHT (to the Terminus Road exit).
As soon as you have exited Brighton Train Station, immediately turn LEFT, and LEFT again, and head down Trafalgar Street (towards the tunnel).
Trafalgar Street [MAP]:
Keeping to the LEFTHAND pavement, walk through the tunnel, and continue along Trafalgar Street (crossing many side-streets), until you see the turning into Sydney Street on the other side of the road (the pavement is level with the road here, so crossing over is no problem).
Sydney Street [MAP]:
Sydney Street is open to cyclists and pedestrians only during the day.
Continue down Sydney Street before turning RIGHT into Gloucester Road (which is also pedestrianised).
Once in Gloucester Road, almost immediately turn LEFT into Kensington Gardens (again, also pedestrianised).
North Laine
[MAP]:
You are now in the heart of the North Laine area of Brighton.
Known for its Bohemian atmosphere, street art, vintage shops, cafés, record stores, pubs, and creative businesses, North Laine is Brighton’s famous independent shopping and cultural district. Weekend pedestrianisation and outdoor seating create a lively festival-like atmosphere.
Visitors often mix up North Laine and The Lanes: North Laine = independent shops, vintage stores, cafés, alternative culture; The Lanes = older alleyways with jewellers, boutiques, restaurants, and more upscale shopping.
Weekday mornings are quieter for browsing. Whereas Saturdays are the busiest and most atmospheric, with outdoor seating, street performers, and heavy foot traffic.
Continue down Kensington Gardens until the very end, where you should turn RIGHT into North Road (North Road is not pedestrianised though – but a light-controlled pedestrian crossing can be found immediately at that junction).
At the end of the crossing, turn RIGHT into North Road (very briefly), before turning LEFT into Gardner Street (which is also open to cyclists and pedestrians only between 11am-5pm).
Gardner Street [MAP]:
Follow the LEFTHAND pavement of Gardner Street to the very end, where you should turn LEFT into Church Street.
Immediately at the junction here, you will see yet another light-controlled pedestrian crossing. Cross Church Street here.
At the end of the crossing, turn LEFT, and continue down the RIGHTHAND pavement of Church Street until the first turning on your RIGHT (into New Road).
New Road [MAP]:
New Road is also pedestrianised (with the exception of accessible parking in specified parking bays).
Continue along New Road until you see the small pathway into the Pavilion Gardens on your LEFT (just after the larger access road into the Brighton Dome).
Stroll through the Pavilion Gardens and you will see the Brighton Pavilion in front of you.
Brighton Pavilion
[MAP]:
The Royal Pavilion in Brighton is an exotic former royal residence. Built as a seaside retreat for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, it exemplifies the opulent tastes of Regency architecture and design. Its striking Indo-Saracenic style and lavish interiors make it one of Britain’s most distinctive historic landmarks.
Plan your visit via the official Royal Pavilion website (managed by Brighton & Hove Museums), includes accessibility details too.
The entrance to the partially accessible Royal Pavilion is step-free. However, only the ground floor is wheelchair accessible (there is a video shown on the ground floor though, which shows the highlights of the upper floor).
After visiting the Brighton Pavilion, exit via the same main entrance, but turn LEFT as you exit the building, and head for the India Gate exit of the grounds.
Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD until you reach North Street, where you will see a light-controlled pedestrian crossing on your RIGHT.
After crossing North Street here, and at the end of the crossing, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD into East Street.
After a few metres, you will see the entrance to The Lanes (Market Street) on your RIGHT.
The Lanes
[MAP]:
The Lanes are Brighton’s historic heart: a maze of narrow, winding alleyways dating back to the old fishing village of Brighthelmstone, which existed long before Brighton became a fashionable seaside resort. Narrow pedestrian alleys combine historic character with independent retail, cafés, restaurants, and specialist shops.
After entering the Lanes, follow Market Street, as it bends towards the LEFT, until the end of this pedestrianised section.
Turn LEFT at the end, and pass along the RIGHTHAND side of the Sussex Arms.
After passing the Sussex Arms, turn RIGHT into the pedestrianised section of East Street.
Once the pedestrian section of East Street ends, continue along the LEFTHAND pavement of East Street until it ends at the main seafront road – Grand Junction Road.
Directly AHEAD of you, you will find a light-controlled pedestrian crossing, which will take you across to the Brighton Promenade.
After crossing here, turn LEFT (after a quick smooch at Brighton’s Kissing Wall perhaps?).
Finally – the Brighton seafront!
And the jewel in Brighton’s crown:
The SEA!
For now, continue past the world-famous Brighton Palace Pier (don’t worry – you’ll return to the Palace Pier shortly), until you reach another pedestrian, on your LEFT, crossing which will take you across to SEA LIFE Brighton.
After turning LEFT at the end of the pedestrian crossing, continue around to the main entrance of SEA LIFE Brighton.
SEA LIFE Brighton
[MAP]:
Originally opened in 1872, SEA LIFE Brighton is the world’s oldest operating aquarium. Home to hundreds of marine species including sharks, rays, seahorses, jellyfish, tropical fish, and the large Ocean Tunnel – which allows visitors to walk beneath swimming sharks and rays.
Plan your visit via the official SEA LIFE Brighton website.
Accessibility at SEA LIFE Brighton (official website/PDF).
At the end of your visit to SEA LIFE Brighton, retrace your steps until you arrive at the entrance to Brighton Palace Pier again.
Brighton Palace Pier
[MAP]:
There is now a £1 fee to access Brighton Palace Pier on weekends during June, and daily throughout July and August. Additional fees are charged for amusement rides and food.
Traditional fairground rides, including roller coasters and thrill rides; amusement arcades with classic and modern games; and food stalls serving fish and chips, doughnuts, ice cream, and other seaside favourites – plus bars and cafés with amazing sea views.
Plan your visit via the official Brighton Palace Pier website.
Accessibility at the Brighton Palace Pier (official website).
After strolling (or rolling) around Brighton Palace Pier, turn LEFT at the exit, and continue along Brighton Promenade at street-level until you again reach the point where you first crossed the road onto Brighton Prom (by the Kiss Wall). However, instead of crossing the road here, take the ramp down to the beach-level promenade on your LEFT.
Brighton Promenade
Follow the promenade westwards along Brighton Beach, until you reach the Brighton Sand Court. Turn RIGHT here, and pass between the Sand Court and the basketball court, bringing you to the ramp that will take you back up to street-level .
At the top of the ramp, turn LEFT, and continue west along Brighton Promenade at street-level, until you arrive at the towering Brighton i360.
Brighton i360
[MAP]:
[Again, Google uses an image from 2011. Don’t be alarmed though, you’re in the right place. This is simply the “before” view – there’s a 138-metre high concrete pole there now!].
Opened in 2016, Brighton i360 is a striking observation tower on Brighton seafront, located beside the remains of the historic West Pier. A giant glass viewing pod slowly ascends to about 138 metres (450 feet) above the Brighton seafront, offering panoramic views of Brighton, the South Downs, the English Channel, and on very clear days even the Isle of Wight (the ascent is smooth and takes around 20–25 minutes for the full experience).
Accessibility: Guests with a disability are entitled to bring a companion or carer free of charge, or for half price on special events.
Plan your visit via the official Brighton i360 website.
After visiting the accessible Brighton i360, turn RIGHT back on to the street-level Promenade, and continue eastwards until you see the second pedestrian crossing on your LEFT (you will see the Odeon cinema on the other side of the road).
After crossing here, turn RIGHT, then almost immediately turn LEFT (into West Street).
From here, and keeping to the pavement on your LEFT, it’s a straight road back to Brighton Train Station (straight, but long and slightly uphill).
Back to where you started, and where this Brighton DIY Walking Tour now ends.
YOUR BRIGHTON DIY WALKING TOUR NOW ENDS
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