Beaches

Brighton is famous for its large pebbly beach which attracts people in their thousands.  Families can enjoy it throughout the year as many of the attractions are open all year, and children enjoy throwing pebbles into the sea, running up to the waves and back again before they get wet no matter what the weather!   There are plenty of restaurants and bars, galleries and shops. 

In the summer, especially on hot days, the beach gets very crowded.  There are lifeguards and Brighton Beach Patrol to look after the public.  Deckchairs can be hired.

Access to the beach is from the promenade and there is a choice of steps or slopes.  From the bottom of West Street you can get to the beach via an underground tunnel (it goes under the coast road, and the kids think its great fun to run through it!).

From the promenade you can get to the Pier, which kids love.  They find it really exciting to be walking over the sea!  There are so many attractions, including games, the fun fair, arcades, side stalls and a fish and chip restaurant. www.brightonpier.co.uk

Look out for the children's playground just West of the old West Pier, which has a lovely sandy play area with lots of climbing equipment and a large paddling pool.

To the East of Brighton Pier, on Madeira Drive, you will find Peter Pan's playground which is an enclosed play area for young children, plus an adventure golf course.

For tide times please click here.

If you travel West of Brighton Beach you will come to Hove beach.  It is usually less crowded than Brighton but still has plenty of amenities. 

Hove also benefits from having Hove Lawns, a large area suitable for playing games and having picnics.  It is between the beach and the coast road. Look out for special events that take place there such as Zippos circus and fun fairs!

For tide times please click here.

Ovingdean beach is a pebbly beach, with some sand at low tide, to the East of Brighton.  When the tide is out the kids love to play, and discover the wildlife, in the rockpools.  Access to the beach is down several steps, so it can be quite tricky with very young kids and lots of baggage in tow.

There is a café which serves home made cakes and snacks.

Toilets.

You can reach Ovingdean beach by walking or cycling along the undercliff path from either the East or West.

If travelling by car, park just off the A259 opposite St Dunstan's and then walk to the beach by using the pedestrian tunnel which goes under the A259.

For buses see www.buses.co.uk

For tide times please click here.

Situated to the East of Brighton, Rottingdean is a pebbly beach backed by high chalk cliffs, which is ideal for rockpooling when the tide is out.  It is a short walk from Rottingdean village which has pubs, tea rooms and shops.  A take-away fish and chip shop is a couple of minutes walk from the beach.   There is a life guard present in the Summer months.

Toilets

For those travelling by car, there is a large pay and display car park just to the East of the village, off the A259.

There are several buses that travel between Brighton and Rottingdean.  Numbers 12, 12A and 12B stop at several places in Brighton including Brighton Station.  Go to www.buses.co.uk to help you plan your bus route. 

For tide times please click here.

Roughly five miles from Brighton, Shoreham Beach is a lovely shingle beach stretching for approximately 3 miles which you have to get to by crossing the River Adur.  In 2006 it became a Local Nature Reserve.  There are many wild plants growing in the shingle which attract wildlife to the beach. Several species of butterflies have been spotted, as well as various coastal birds.  It is a relatively quiet beach backed by some attractive beach huts. 

Café and toilets.

For tide times please click here.