Avoiding the crowds during Pride | Brighton Pride is one of the biggest and best weekends in the city’s calendar, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Brighton for an unforgettable celebration of love, equality and community.
But while many people flock to the main event spaces, not everyone wants to spend the weekend shoulder-to-shoulder in packed bars and busy streets. If you’re looking to enjoy the city while avoiding the busiest areas, here are a few places worth escaping to during Pride weekend.
First up, head north of the city centre and spend some time around Preston Park and the quieter residential streets surrounding it. While the park itself hosts the main festival, venturing into nearby Fiveways offers a far calmer atmosphere, with independent cafés and local businesses providing a welcome break from the crowds.
For a peaceful seaside escape, skip central Brighton beach and head west towards Hove seafront. The further you walk from Palace Pier, the quieter things become, and you can still enjoy the sunshine and sea air without navigating the intensity of the busiest Pride hotspots. There are tons of restaurants and bars offering outside spaces such as The Avenue Hove, Paris Wine Bar, Ouef, Fatto a Mano and The Gin Tub.
If you’re after greenery, Stanmer Park offers a completely different pace. Just a short journey from the city centre, the huge open spaces, woodland walks and peaceful surroundings make it ideal for anyone wanting a reset. Make sure you visit One Garden Brighton for delightful food and locally sourced produce and wines.
Alternatively, explore quieter neighbourhoods like Kemptown beyond the main Pride venues, or spend the afternoon wandering around independent shops and cafés in Seven Dials.
Many choose to throw garden parties at their own homes with the obligatory barbecue and a few cheeky drinks – less expensive and a way to celebrate on your own terms.
Pride weekend is an incredible celebration, but Brighton has plenty of quieter corners too, proving you don’t need to be in the middle of the crowds to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Where will you be celebrating this year?
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