STUDENT life – what is Brighton really like?

Whether you’re a fan of cafés, vintage clothes, or arcade games, Brighton has got something for you! Although it’s one of the sunniest places in the UK, you don’t even have to bank on the good weather to find loads to do.

Travelling in, around and out of Brighton

Travel around Brighton is incredibly easy, with regular buses and trains towards and out of town. You can get to where you need to be without breaking the bank as there are student prices on buses (and trains too, if you have a Railcard), or if you’d rather walk, you can get pretty much anywhere within an hour. My friends and I would often walk out to town after lectures for a well-deserved break; however, to get to most places you’ll probably have to walk up or down a hill, so be prepared for some pretty strong calves!

Brighton beach

You haven’t visited Brighton properly if you haven’t spent a day at the Palace Pier and on the beach! The pier is full of things to do, with arcade games, food, and fairground rides, but if the smell of churros from the pier doesn’t tempt you, you could easily walk into the town centre or host your own barbeque on the beach. You’re also not far from Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, which provides free entry for Brighton & Hove residents, including students. My best advice for the beach, however, is to watch out for seagulls if you’re carrying food – they are not your friend!

North Laine and the Lanes – vintage shops and delicious cafés

Packed with arty restaurants, bars, shops, and pubs, you can spend a whole afternoon in the Lanes, or have a look through all the vintage shops in the North Laine (the photo booth in Snoopers Paradise never disappoints!). During my first year in Brighton, my friends and I put ourselves on a quest to visit all the quirkiest cafés we could find, and we were not disappointed! Brighton’s café scene is brilliant, and even four years later I’m still discovering new places. I’d personally recommend Nowhere Man for the best, most Instagram-able pancakes.

Night life – it’s not all clubbing

You don’t have to be a clubbing fan to have endless options for things to do in the evenings. The Brighton SU Music Society used to do nights out at Casablanca Jazz Club for live music, which is a great way to spend the night if clubbing isn’t your thing, or you can just chill out at a pub with loads of student deals. You could also spend an evening at the Marina, where there are restaurants, bars and even a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course! All of these are easy to travel to and from with the frequent buses running around Brighton.