Travel Tips - People-watching in Brighton, England

Located a short drive or bus ride east from the city centre, Brighton’s Marina is a superb haven away from the crowds, perfect for a short day trip.

You can enjoy people watching at one of the many waterside cafes and restaurants - which include a number of chains including Strada, Café Rouge and Pizza Express - , shopping at the city’s outlet shopping centre or perhaps go bowling at the large Bowlplex centre.

One of my personal highlights however is walking through the quayside and admiring the huge range of yachts and powerboats. There is nothing quite like seeing how the other half live. Water tours and deep sea fishing trips are also available from the marina. You can even walk up each ‘arm’ of the Marina, which offers wonderful views back to the Marina village, or, if you’re feeling energetic, following the undercliff walk all the way to Saltdean, a distance of 4.5km.

The crumbling structure of the West Pier marks the location of a small market which takes place every weekend and features a number of stalls selling everything from second hand books, paintings, African clothing, hats and printed t-shirts.

Combine this market with a walk along the seafront, stopping at Al Fresco for a drink while you watch the world go by.

To wined down after a hectic weekend of shopping and sightseeing in Brighton, head for the Hove end of the Seafront and continue walking west (away from the crumbling skeleton of the West Pier) until you pass the Meeting Place Café.

Regularly frequented by dog walkers and young families, Hove Seafront (and Hove lawns) are well recommended for a relaxing stroll and just to chill out in the sun (depending of course, on the weather!)