The Brighton Bucket List: Things to do Before You Graduate

Luke M. Williams

Your time in Brighton will pass you by quicker than you think. One week you’re unpacking boxes at one of our properties, and the next you’re graduating, having studied hard for three short years. Amongst all of this, it can be easy to forget to cut loose and experience all that the city has to offer. That’s why we’re here to help you build the ultimate Brighton bucket list and make sure your student experience is as memorable as possible. If you’re lucky, you might even get a student discount at the University of Brighton or the University of Sussex.

The Brighton Bucket List: Things to do Before You Graduate

A Trip to the Royal Pavilion

The first place on our list is one you can get cheaper entry to with a student card. The Royal Pavilion was once the seaside palace of the Prince Regent, who would later become King George IV. The architect, John Nash, transformed the building between 1815 and 1823 to make it one of the most instantly recognisable places in the country. The exterior resembles an Indian temple, akin to the Taj Mahal, but the inside takes inspiration from Chinese décor.

Today, the Pavilion is open daily from 10 am to 5:15 pm, with last entry at 4:30 for the public. Students can take advantage of discounted entry for just £16.50, while your parents will have to pay the full £21.50 if they want to see it when they visit.

Which Museum Should You Visit First?

Start with Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. Its galleries cover fashion and style, 20th-century art and design, as well as some pieces of fine art. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and student entry is just £8. The museum is also closed on Mondays, except for public holidays.

Next, head over to Dyke Road for the Booth Museum of Natural History. Entry is free, making it a great place to visit a few times. The museum showcases all things nature, from ancient fossils to modern birds and butterflies. It may not be for everyone, as there is a lot of taxidermy and dried butterflies on display, so it’s worth noting before you visit.

The Booth Museum is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from noon to 5 pm, and at weekends from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Old Cinema of Brighton

We all love a good film, and there#s nowhere better in Brighton than the Duke of York’s picture house to enjoy one from. The cinema opened in 1910, and the Cinema Theatres Association recognises as the UK’s oldest purpose-built cinema. This makes the site a place of pilgrimage for many film buffs and Victorian-era history fans. Like many newer cinema’s, young people can take advantage of cheaper tickets. They are just £5.99 for anyone under 25 from Monday to Thursday.

A Trip to Devil’s Dyke

To get to the famous Devil’s Dyke, you simply need to catch the number 77 bus that sets off from the centre of Brighton. Passing the pier and the train station, on the way, you’ll soon arrive at a place that the painter John Constable once described at the ‘grandest view on the world’. The name itself is the stuff of legend. It is believed by some that the Dyke was crafted by the Devil to drown the local people.

The National Trust look after the area, with it being longest, deepest, and widest dry valley anywhere in the UK. This unique landscape makes Brighton an amazing to discover nature in, and to enjoy long walks all-year-round.

Don’t Forget the Pier!

Another icon of the late-Victorian period, Brighton Palace Pier opened in 1899 and stretches almost 2,000 ft out to sea. Like many piers of this kind, you can enjoy traditional seaside treats like fish and chips, sugary sweets, and more! You’ll also be able to take a ride on some fairground rides, and challenge your pals to an arcade game or two. There’s a £1 upkeep charge that runs during peak tourist season; however, this doesn’t apply during the winter months when the pier is noticeably quieter.

How to Spend a Lazy Sunday in Brighton

You really can’t beat a walk around The Lanes and North Laine. If you don’t already know, The Lanes are a maze of narrow alleyways and hidden squares, famous for their jewellers. North Laine is packed with independent shops, cafes, pubs, and market stalls. A few key streets to explore include Sydney Street, Kensington Gardens, and Gardner Street. Sydney Street is closed off to traffic, making it the best place to enjoy on foot.

More to Know

  • If you want a guided tour of the Royal Pavilion, you can hop on one every Saturday at 2 pm.
  • The Brighton Museum is closed for the festive period, between 24th December and December 29th, so squeeze in your visit before you head home for the holidays.
  • You can only secure the under 25 tickets at the Duke of York’s online or on the app when booked in advance,

To make your time in the city memorable, try and tick off one of these things every few months. There are of course, plenty more great things to do in Brighton so we hope you discover your own Brighton bucket list adventures, too! To make sure you’ve got the ideal base to do it all from, take a look at our range of Brighton student accommodation today.

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