There are just two cities in Sussex, namely Brighton and Hove in East Sussex and Chichester in West Sussex. Whilst both have long and fascinating histories, they are very different whilst equally both being very representative of what Sussex is all about. From eclectic and hip to historic and evocative, this Sussex City Break showcases the diversity of the two cities of Sussex whilst providing you with a hearty dose of culture, wellbeing and fine fettle!
A mini-break is a thing of great beauty! It’s short, so you can overindulge and overspend free of guilt (well, free-ish). And it’s short (did I mention that), so you can get really creative. Gone are the days of the one destination mini-break which had you trudging around a town before retiring to your hotel room. All hail, the slightly schizophrenic mini-break which has eccentricities in mind. And whether you’re Sussex born and bred or from foreign parts (i.e. beyond our Sussex borders) this one is a bit of a corker!
Brighton
Brighton was once a sleepy fishing village known as Brighthelmstone but by the 18th century, word was out that the sea and seaside air might be good for you.
At about the same time, the Prince Regent, later King George IV, started to visit and was responsible for the building of the magnificant Royal Pavilion. Then the railway arrived and the piers were built, and Brighton became a vibrant seaside resort and town.
There is still much of the Regency and Victorian architecture in the town with grand hotels and Georgian squares but the city is a modern and vibrant hub with masses to see and do.
Day 1. Your afternoon
Arrive early afternoon for some quick exploring. If you’ve never been to Brighton before, the Royal Pavilion is the place to start. This insanely decadent and dashingly exotic royal palace is designed in a combination of Chinese and Indian styles and includes huge chandeliers, dragons, exquisitely detailed wallpapers and décor, and a banqueting hall like few others.
Choose the timing of your visit to coincide with the many events hosted here. If you have time, pop over to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in the Pavilion grounds. This contains an extraordinary collection of oddities and always has interesting exhibitions. There are dozens of other museums in the town if that’s your thing:
Your evening
Perhaps start you’re evening with a flight on the Brighton i360, Europe’s tallest moving viewing platfrom at 450ft. Whilst most of their flights finish quite early, they do host occasional special events so it is worth checking their website.
If that doesn’t appeal, the Theatre Royal is just next to the Pavilion grounds and is one of the oldest theatres in the country. If you want to take in a show while you’re here, this is a good place to start or head into the North Laines to the comedy club, Komedia Brighton.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of restaurants to choose from whilst in Brighton including The Ivy, etch. in Church Road, Hove (which holds a Michelin Plate and 3 AA Rosettes) and Rockwater which wins our vote for its super stylish roof terrace and beach location. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars in town too or you might want to head back to your hotel to enjoy cocktails in the bar.
Day 2.
Start your morning with a cycle along the Undercliff Path or take a quick sea dip (conditions allowing). You can hire bikes on the seafront. If you like swimming but are not sure about the sea, cycle to Saltdean and swim at the fabulous lido you’ll find there.
Before you leave Brighton, you must head to the eclectic Lanes. North Laine is the bohemian quarter, full of vintage shops, street food, buskers, brightly painted buildings and flea markets.
Heading back to the seafront, the South Lanes are a slightly posher affair, with lots of independent boutiques, jewellery and antique shops,and restaurants. At the end of the day, hop on the train to Chichester.
Where to stay in Brighton
There are lots of places ot stay but if you’re travelling by train, it is doesn’t get much more convenient than the Leonardo Hotel which is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the station. A stay here saves you dragging your suitcase up and down hills and the hotel has a funky vibe, a bar and a restaurant.
Transport
Trains run from London and Gatwick to Brighton pretty much every 15 mins. Parking is expensive but there is park and ride on the outskirts of Brighton (just off the A23). It’s not free but it is cheaper than central parking. There are plenty of taxis and bike / e-bike hire is plentiful.
Chichester
Chichester dates back to the days of the Roman empire (and even before that). It is home to a magnificant and 950 year old cathedral, a Roman perimter wall (much of which you can still walk), its own canal and even a natural harbour. With dozens of interesting buildings and churches, here you’ll also find art galleries, museums and still the hint of the odd Roman.
If you’ve arrive early evening, it’s worth checking the cathedral programme to see if they have anything scheduled. They host some evocative nad memorable concerts and in November, they will have a remarkable light display. If the cathedral is not for you, but you fancy a little live music before bed, the Hole in the Wall Pub or the Havana club both have a lot going on.
Day 3.
Mornings are all about exploring and getting your bearings. Make your way to Market Cross which is a central point in the city from where all the main shopping streets fan out. Or walk the city wall. Visit the cathedral and do one of their spire tours so that you can see the city from above. It’s a small and compact city, so it won’t take you long to explore.
Save the afternoon for a bit of culture and visit Pallant House Gallery for art, or the Novium Museum for history and Romans! For even more Romans, Fishbourne Palace is a Roman palace on the outskirts of the city.
Chichester Festival Theatre is just outside the city wall, and has a buzzing programme of entertainment all year around. Check out what’s on for the evening of your stay.
Day 4.
What to do before you head home? The good news is that you have options. You might want to walk a section of the canal (head to the railway station and it’s not far from there). It’s sleepy and idylic and they also do canal boat tours, if you don’t fancy walking. There is also a heritage centre which is worth a quick visit.
Where to stay in Chichester
For a central location and a 10 minute (flat) walk from the station, the Harbour Hotel in North Street is in a beautiful and historic old building. They have an underground spa, bar and restaurant. The chef focusses on local produce so it’s the perfect place to get a taste of the region.
Transport
Direct trains from Brighton to Chichester take under an hour. There are regular trains back to London.
