Brighton by the sea
Pebbles, the Lanes and a pier you can walk for free. The seaside London escapes to when it needs the sea.
FREE
The lowdown
Brighton is the bit of seaside London borrows when it needs salt air. The pebble beach and the whole seafront are free, the West Pier ruins make the best photo in town and the Palace Pier is free to walk end to end.
Get lost in the Lanes and North Laine for an afternoon of independent shops and people-watching, then wander the Royal Pavilion gardens for free (the palace itself is ticketed). Bring chips, find a spot on the pebbles and you have a full day out for the cost of the train.
Getting there from London
The beach, the Lanes and the seafront cost nothing. Trains run from Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras, so book advance on whichever is nearest.
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