Since we brought Ruby and Nova into our lives, our holiday plans always have one extra consideration. Will the hotel allow dogs? Can we bring them into a restaurant or can we at least sit outside? Will they be allowed near the big attractions or will we be told off?
I’ve therefore listed the best activities, hotels and places to eat while in Brighton if you’re with your furry pal.
Dog Friendly Hotels
We have brought our dogs to a few hotels in Brighton, while they’ll normally go the extra mile when they know you have a pooch, often including putting a water bowl in the room and some dog treats. But don’t always expect this, so make sure to pack all the equipment you need.
Also, even if they’re dog friendly, you need to let them know, as some hotels have strict rules on which rooms they can go in, so if you don’t let them know then you might have a battle on your hands once you arrive.
The pic below is from our stay at the Hilton Metropole on the seafront, where we had views of the beach while they were happily welcomed by staff.
They even provided a dog bed, but again, you can’t guarantee this, therefore I would still pack something appropriate. We let our two sleep on the bed with us, so no issues there.
Other hotels that are dog friendly in Brighton include the below:
- Malmaison in Brighton Marina
- Hotel Du Vin (up to 2 dogs)
- Ibis (located near the station)
- Queens Hotel
- New Steine Hotel
- Holiday Inn
- Staybridge Suites
- Old Ship Hotel
We also stayed at another one along the seafront but it has since closed its doors, but it was a nice private room overlooking the West Pier (also known as the burned down pier or ruined pier), as well as the i360, plus a 1 minute walk from the upside down house (worth looking at if you haven’t heard of it before). This also made for a great walking spot in the morning, as we headed down at 7am and walked along the scenic coastline, a nice change from the local park.
The room was a brilliant size, with plenty of space to put down our bags and all of Ruby’s extra bits. They had a table at the side for Raquel to do her make-up, plus plenty of lighting and a funky decor.
The bed was incredibly large, ideal when you’ve got the two of you and the pooch in the middle. I’m a bit fussy when it comes to pillows in hotels and I loved these, they were plump and soft, but not too plump so that your head feels pushed up. I fell asleep incredibly easily and felt so comfortable.
Dog Friendly Brighton Restaurants
I have a guide on the best restaurants in Brighton, however many of those aren’t dog friendly, therefore it’s worth investigating before coming along as it is an awkward process popping in and asking the staff to find out.
For a brunch spot, Starfish Cafe served amazing food and had a couple of dogs inside. This is a great Kemptown option, while you’re also very close to Queen’s Park for walkies afterwards, which has a really nice lake and a play area if you’re coming along with kids.
If you fancy walking along the seafront then most of the bars are dog friendly, from Fortune of War to Brighton Music Hall.
If you’re after a nice dinner, you could try one of the Blackrock restaurants, including Coal Shed, where they have a selected area available for dog owners, so make sure to let them know in advance so they can book this table for you. They also have Burnt Orange in their range, but I’ve not been along to that one yet so I can’t testify to the quality there…Yet.
Dog Friendly Brighton Pubs – Sidewinder
A huge amount of the pubs are dog friendly and serve great food, from the Earth and Stars to the Pond or Lion and Lobster, we’ve visited them all with Ruby and Nova and never had issues.
There are numerous pubs I could highlight around Brighton and Hove which are dog friendly, but Sidewinder is easily one my favourites, but expect other dogs (off-lead) to be present so if you have an anxious dog then this might not be the one for you.
The pub has a surprisingly large back garden (if the weather is warm enough), with booths and heaters setup.
Ruby was one of 5 dogs out there on the day, while we let her off the lead so she could play with a couple of the other dogs which was nice. They have dog treats readily available on the bar (for free), plus a water bowl for Ruby to drink from.
Shout Out: Another great option is Brighton Zip Bar, connected to the zip wire, to the left of the Pier. This is a rooftop bar that had a number of dog owners, while you can look out and admire the Pier in the sunshine, weather permitted.
I’d also highlight Shelter Hall as another dog friendly spot you can enjoy a pint or two, albeit the tables are a little closely placed together, so you just have to hope the person sat next to you doesn’t mind dogs. They also have a photobooth, so you can get a pic with your furry friend.
Dog Friendly Things To Do In Brighton
Having lived in Brighton for 15 years, I certainly feel comfortable talking about the different activities and experiences you can try while in the city if you’re with your pooch. Inevitably, some of the big ones have to be left off. For example, you can’t bring your dog on the Pier. But hopefully you will have enough on your itinerary from the list below:
1) Visit The Beach
It was inevitable this one would make the list, but I was so excited to take Ruby to the beach! If you go early in the morning then it’s virtually empty, whereas if you arrive midday during the peak season it can get pretty rammed.
Make sure to avoid the part of the beach straight down from the station, as this is the busiest area. You’re allowed your dog on the beach, but they do have some rules during peak season when it’s really busy that you can’t necessarily take yours on, but I’ve seen plenty on there during those peak hours.
2) Go To The Pavilion Gardens
Another dog friendly area is the Brighton Pavilion Gardens, great to eat some lunch, see other dog owners or listen to the live music which is often in place from a busker. The backdrop of the Pavilion makes this a must for anyone visiting Brighton for the first time.
There are a couple of benches, but other than that you’ll most likely have to sit on the ground, so this isn’t the best option for those who may struggle with sitting on the ground.
Entrance to the gardens is completely free, you have to pay if you want to visit the museum or go inside the actual building, which aren’t dog friendly, but the gardens is the best bit in my eyes.
3) Get Some Doggie Ice Cream On The Beach
There are a few spots that offer this, we picked up some from Archie’s Empawrium on the seafront, but a number of ice cream parlours also offer doggie ice cream nowadays.
These are dairy free, meaning they won’t cause issues for their stomachs, but they look identical to the ice cream we all love and enjoy, plus it’s a tasty treat for them to enjoy on their summer holiday.
4) Explore The Lanes
The Lanes is one of the most famous shopping areas of Brighton, not where you’d find your typical high street vendors, but the little tight lanes with unique stores (plus a hell of a lot of jewellery shops).
Located just off North Street, the Lanes are a great place to explore with the pooch, whether you’re just window shopping or actually planning to buy something.
Not to be confused, you should also head to the North Laine, further up North (obviously) from the Lanes, where the streets are a bit wide and the shops are a bit more bizarre. There are also a number of cafes you can sit and relax in.
5) Hove Lawns
I used to live just up from Hove Lawns, so I have a soft spot for this one, but Hove Lawns is ideal for dog owners. It’s arguably the most scenic ‘park’ you will find in Brighton, with beautiful views of the sea without having to sit on pebbles.
The only issue I would highlight around Hove Lawns is there is no gap between the grass and the bike lane and then the busy road. We didn’t have issues, but if you had a dog that is more likely to dart, then this may have to be a consideration if you want to let it off the lead.
A benefit to this green area is you also have a public toilet available, so even if it is a lengthy walk from where you’re based, you can quickly pop into the toilets, so you’re not left short.
6) Stanmer Park
If you take a train up to Falmer (where Brighton FC stadium is) then you’ll be on the doorstep of Stanmer park, a huge grounds where you can walk your dog for miles. There is a dog friendly cafe on-site, where you can stop off for a coffee and cake (plus a toilet break).
We’re talking 5,000 acres of green woodlands, so plenty of space to explore, I’ve been here a good few times but still have so much more to see. The vast area also means you can let your dog off lead and free to run around and sniff everything in sight.
As you walk through, you’ll find Stanmer Village, with small cottages and a little church. Considering how packed central Brighton and the seafront get, this is a nice out of town option if you’re willing to make the journey over.
You can park here, but it is a pay and display. If possible, it’s better to visit during the week, as many dog owners will be over on the weekends. If you are heading over on the weekends, try early in the morning, as many others will have a lie-in, so you can skip the crowds.
If you want a more expansive list of ideas, make sure to have a read of my list of the best things to do in Brighton.
