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Attraction
SEA LIFE Brighton
Aquarium opened in 1872 as Brighton Aquarium on Madeira Drive; it is the oldest aquarium in the world still operating.
A mini guide to
Kemptown
Regency crescents, Volk's Electric Railway, the aquarium and St James's Street east of the pier
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
Regency crescents, Volk's Electric Railway, the aquarium and St James's Street east of the pier
Kemptown runs east from the Palace Pier along Marine Parade and St James's Street, with guest houses, pubs, bars and restaurants. Visit Brighton says it hosts its own Pride Village Party as part of the Pride celebrations every August.
Below the cliff, Madeira Drive has SEA LIFE Brighton and Volk's Electric Railway. At the eastern end, the Regency squares and crescents of the Kemp Town Estate lead on towards Brighton Marina, with Queen's Park inland.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Heritage railway
Volk's Electric Railway
Narrow-gauge line along the beach, opened by Magnus Volk in 1883: the oldest working electric railway in the world. No booking needed.
Directions Website Report a problem with Volk's Electric Railway
Historic building
Madeira Terrace
Victorian cast-iron arches and walkway, 865 metres long, closed as unsafe in 2015-16 and now being restored in phases by the council.
Attraction
Brighton Zip
Zip wire from a 30-metre tower running 300 metres along the beach near the Palace Pier, with a rooftop bar and kitchen.
Historic housing
Kemp Town Estate
Regency estate of Sussex Square, Lewes Crescent, Arundel Terrace and Chichester Terrace, financed by Thomas Read Kemp and built by Thomas Cubitt.
Park
Queen's Park
Park laid out from 1825 by Thomas Attree as a private residential park inspired by Regent's Park, later named after Queen Adelaide.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Kemptown and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Ride the seafront railway
Volk's Electric Railway runs along the beach; its website says there is no need to book, just turn up and ride.
2
Madeira Terrace works
The council is restoring Madeira Terrace in phases, so parts of Madeira Drive may be fenced off. Check the council page for progress.
3
Naturist beach
Visit Brighton says the naturist beach is at the eastern end of the main beach, about a mile east of the Palace Pier, and is signposted.
4
Marina by bus
Brighton Marina is a short bus ride from the town centre, according to Visit Brighton, if you do not want to walk the seafront.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Regency squares, beach huts, Church Road and George Street west of the Peace Statue
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The Lanes & seafront
Narrow shopping lanes, the Palace Pier, the i360 and the pebble beach in the centre of Brighton
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North Laine & the Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion, the Dome and the independent streets between the station and the Old Steine
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Kemptown (area photo): Hassocks5489, CC0, source
- SEA LIFE Brighton: Robert-brook, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Volk's Electric Railway: Dr Neil Clifton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Madeira Terrace: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kemp Town Estate: A bit iffy, Public domain, source
- Queen's Park: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Egremont Gate: Robert-brook, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Park Street Gate: Robert-brook, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- St Mary the Virgin: The Voice of Hassocks, Public domain, source
- St George's Church: The Voice of Hassocks, Public domain, source
- St John the Baptist's Church: The Voice of Hassocks, Public domain, source
- Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dorset Gardens Methodist Church: The Voice of Hassocks, Public domain, source
- Brighton Marina: Jim Linwood, CC BY 2.0, source
- Hove: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Lanes & seafront: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- North Laine & the Royal Pavilion: Qmin, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Brighton & Hove