Rain or Shine

Come rain or shine, there’s loads to do in Brighton to keep the kids entertained. Check out this section for our Top 10 guide of things to do in Brighton in the sun and rain…

It’s sunny outside Brighton Top 10

1. Go to Brighton beach
   The Brighton Blue Flag awarded beach was voted one of the Top 10 beach destinations in the world. Packed with paddling pools, cafes, restaurants and traditional family fun, visit our Beach Life section to find out more.
2. Visit Brighton Pier
   One of the best Victorian piers in the country, Brighton Pier offers loads of family restaurants, cafes, rides and arcades to keep kids big and small entertained in the sun.
3. Check out one of Brighton’s Green Spaces
   With over 98 parks and gardens in Brighton and Hove, there are loads of opportunities for family picnics, tennis matches and football kick about. Visit the Parks and Gardens section to find out more about Brighton’s many green spaces.
4. Go orbing or Mountain Boarding
   One for the older kids orbing is the latest in extreme craziness. Hurtle down a hill in a large orb or jump on a mountain board for some adrenaline action atop the stunning South Downs.
5. Go on an open top Sightseeing Tour of Brighton
   Sit up top in the open air and take in the Brighton sights from the comfort of a Brighton Sightseeing bus. A great way to see the city, you can jump on and off with one of the 24 hour tickets. Tours run until late September. Kids fun packs also available.
6. Travel on the Volks Railway
   Give the kids a treat on Britain's oldest working electric railway. Runing for one and a quarter miles along the top of the beach from the Aquarium Station, near Brighton Pier, to the Marina, trains run every 15 minutes throughout the summer.
7. Play some beach sports at Yellowave
   Britain's first beach sports centre and Brighton's only sandy beach, treat the kids to beach sports activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Beach sports include beach volleyball, beach soccer, footvolley, beach rugby and ultimate frisbee.
8. Go on a Brighton MP3 walking tour
   Easy as MP3, a downloadable walking tour is a great way to see Brighton on foot. You can stop and start as you wish and won’t need to worry about the kids getting in a large group.
9. Make some waves on a Boat Trip
   See the Brighton cityscape by sea with a Ross Fishing Boat Trip and experience life aboard the ocean waves. Pier and mackerel fishing boat trips are both available.
10. Visit West Blatchington Windmill
    Learn all about milling and agriculture at this Grade II* listed building in historic Hove. Exhibits include two scale models of Shipley smock mill and Nutley post mill, a Thresher and a Wire Dressing Machine, plus many articles of both milling and agricultural interest.

It’s rainy outside Brighton Top 10

1. Visit the Sea Life Centre
   The Brighton Sea Life Centre offers a fun and educational family day out whatever the weather. With over 150 species and 57 displays, you will be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable day for the whole family. Don’t miss the new Amazonian Adventure.
2. Check out the Brighton Toy and Model Museum
   An Aladdin's cave of toys and models for all ages, underneath the arches of Brighton station, Brighton Toy and Model Museum offers over 4000 square foot of toys and models including trains, boats, dolls, domestic toys, puppets and planes.
3. See the Royal Pavilion
   The spectacular seaside palace of the Prince Regent (George IV), transformed by John Nash between 1815 and 1822, is one of the most dazzling and exotic buildings in the British Isles. A great educational day out for the kids that Mums and Dads will enjoy too.
4. Go Edwardian at Preston Manor
   Check out the servants' quarters and hall, butlers' pantry, boot hall, kitchen, head housemaids' and personal maids' rooms in this beautiful Edwardian Manor House. For hardy kids, ghost tours of the house are also often available.
5. Visit the Booth Museum of Natural History
   Over half a million specimens and natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum. Exhibits include hundreds of British birds, insects from butterflies to beetles, a killer whale skeleton and dinosaur bones. Watch out for the badger who was the inspiration behind a character in The latest Chronicales of Narnia film. A special children’s area is also available.
6. See a show at the Theatre Royal
   Offering the best theatrical line-up on the South Coast, why not get cultural with the kids at one of the child friendly musicals and productions at Brighton’s Theatre Royal. The Christmas panto is always a great hit with children.
7. Get interactive at Brighton Museum
   Brighton Museum and Art Gallery offers a host of interactive displays and fascinating galleries to entertain all the family. The Museum also offers a great café for when the kids get peckish.
8. Go bowling
   Bowlplex Brighton, at Brighton Marina, is a fun family activity whatever the weather. The Centre offers 26 computerised bowling lanes, 12 American pool tables and an arcade.
9. Visit the Wizards Toy attic at Hove Museum
   Hove Museum & Art Gallery has been transformed into a centre of learning and enjoyment for people of all ages and the interactive toy gallery is a great favourite with young children. Designed in the theme of a wizard's attic, highlights include a mock up of the Wizard's workshop for broken toys and a bedroom split by time, which is half modern-day and half Victorian.
10. Catch a film at the cinema
    Brighton offers 2 multiplexes offering all the latest filmic fare for those rainy days. For something a bit different, why not take the kids to the Duke of Yorks Picture House – a great art cinema also offering mainstream films, with an enormous pair of stripey can can legs on the roof.