Whilst the heat of summer might be long gone, Brighton remains as lively as ever in autumn and winter. Swap your sunscreen for a scarf and head to Sussex – The Wordrobe shares how to spend the perfect weekend in this coastal city
Where to stay
Nestled just moments from the seafront, Hotel du Vin offers a quaint and charming place to retreat from the bustle of boho Brighton. With 49 distinctive bedrooms that come with heavy brass old fashioned keys, rooms are large and beautifully decorated – with bathrooms boasting big fluffy towels, inviting bath tubs and drenching monsoon showers.
Order a drink and sip it al fresco under the vine-covered pergola in the softly lit central courtyard. If whisky’s your thing, you’re in luck – there’s over 100 here to choose from.
Where to dine
You’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dining out in Brighton. Streets are lined with excellent restaurants, pubs and bars with a food scene growing by the hour. If French cuisine takes your fancy, recently opened Petit Pois is perfect. Offering a well-priced menu full of small authentic plates, order the scallops with butternut squash puree for something sumptuous and the chocolate fondant for something sweet.
A mecca for the vegan crowd, there’s also a plethora of health-focused eateries to be discovered. Feast on falafel at We Love Falafel and peruse Purezza’s array of raw food delights – we especially love the wood-fired pizza.
No coastal city could be complete without its seafood – The Salt Room, located opposite the West Pier, is a must-mouthful. The views of the surrounding ocean are almost as good as the dishes, and even Jay Rayner’s a fan.
Expect some of the freshest fish going, with excellent cocktails to match too. We recommend the Surf Board, a sharing platter offering various fruits of the sea – but book your table at least a week in advance to avoid disappointment.
What to do
Foodies can revel in Brighton Food Tours, the only walking tour offering a tastebud-led adventure through the city’s cobbled streets. Join the team of passionate Brightonians for a chocolate box selection of the best independent eateries and shops. From luxurious oysters and white wine pairings to laid-back Belgian chips and condiments, you’ll sample a range of unique treats and meet plenty of local producers with enticing stories.
For fashionistas with flair, make a beeline for The Lanes to explore antique shops brimming with trinkets, or scour North Laine’s trendy flea markets for vintage finds. Snooper’s Attic in particular makes for an excellent afternoon of bargain hunting – keep a lookout for the mummified foxes lurking in the corner.
Lastly, grab a cup of coffee to go and stroll along the pebbled seafront. Ideal for an autumnal walk, meander along the coastline for an hour or two and gaze up at regal Regency buildings flecking the horizon. Winter may be coming, but Brighton makes it feel like it’s summer all year round.
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