10 must see parks in Brighton

Situated 54 miles south of London, Brighton is a coastal city in England famous for its thriving arts and music scene, cultural diversity, vibrant nightlife, the best student life, beautiful seafront, and unique shopping areas. A popular tourist attraction for people from all around the world, Brighton can get quite busy, especially during the high season when tourists and students are out in full force.

When looking for a refreshing break, Brighton offers a number of beautiful parks to relax and recharge your energy. From large open grass fields surrounded by native and exotic trees to extensive woodland trails, streams, and ponds, you'll find everything you need at Brighton's stunning parks and gardens.

And when you spot the perfect park to stretch your legs, don't let heavy shopping bags or bulky backpacks stop you. Drop them off at one of the Bounce luggage storage locations in Brighton so you can spend a whole day in the park relaxing or exploring without the burden of bags.

Queens Park

Located near Palace Pier Amusement Park and Brighton i360 Observation Tower sits a hidden gem of the city and one of the best parks in Brighton, featuring a lake, a playground, over 100 tree species, and ravishing landscapes. Queens Park expands over 45 acres of land, part of which is a dog-friendly area, another part dedicated to a children's playground equipped with slides, swings, roundabouts, and large, extensive open lands free of dog walkers. You can also enjoy a wildlife garden planted by a local herbalist.

The park also has a few sporting facilities for active people, such as a tennis club and cultural landmarks like the Victorian Clock Tower. At Queens Park, you can sit by the picturesque pond and watch the ducks, geese, and swans and observe other wildlife around you, including squirrels, seagulls, and pigeons. There is a small cafe nearby with delicious pastries, but if a pub is what you need, you'll find some of the best pubs in Brighton Southover Street nearby. Queens Park is an excellent place for a family picnic, an evening stroll, or whenever you need to escape the city noise.

Hove Park

Situated within Goldstone Crescent, just half a mile from Hove Station, stretching over 40 acres of land, you'll find Hove Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Brighton and Hove, perfect for family outings, dog walkers, hikers, and runners. The park is a combination of many lovely spaces such as flower beds, large open grass, picnic tables, elm trees and other mature trees, sports facilities, and playgrounds for the youngest.

Whether you want to take a short stroll and relax, picnic with your friends and family, or hide under the shade of the elm trees on a hot summer's day, Hove Park is the place to be. If you're looking to break a sweat, you can do so at one of the many sports courts, including seven tennis courts, two football pitches, a basketball court, a rock climbing wall, or the gyms.

Points of interest in Hove Park are the seasonal Miniature Steam Railways, the Fingermaze, the Gouldstone Boulder (a huge rock weighing 40,000 pounds, believed to be the place for worship among Druids), and the Storytelling Chair. When thirsty, head down to the Hove Park Cafe for hot and cold drinks, lunch and homemade cakes.

Preston Park

Stretching over 63 acres near Preston Village, Preston Park is the largest urban park in Brighton and home to the biggest adventure playgrounds. The large open space features picnic tables, barbecues, beautiful woodland walks, and many gardens, including a wildflower meadow, a walled garden, and a rose garden. People visit Preston Park for various reasons, sports being the most popular. The park has several sporting facilities, including football and cricket fields, bowling greens, tennis courts, a softball pitch and a velodrome.

A few other facilities to check out within Preston Park's grounds are Preston Manor and Brighton Sound, a healing sound chamber in the heart of the park. There are a few attractions nearby, such as the largest municipal rock garden in the UK. What sets Preston Park apart from the other Brighton parks is that it's home to Pub in the Park, one of the UK's most popular food and music festivals. Apart from that, Preston Park hosts concerts, events, and circuses throughout the whole year, making it one of the best parks in Brighton for people from all ages and walks of life.

When you need refreshments, you don't need to walk far, as there are a few cafes where you can grab a bite, such as The Preston Park Chalet Cafe.

Dyke Road Park

If you're up for spectacular views of the sea, Dyke Road Park may be just the place for you. Located between Preston Park on the east and Hove Park on the west, Dyke Road Park is the perfect outdoor space for picnics, relaxing, hiking, running, or dog walking. The large park boasts a fun children's playground with slides, rope bridges, roundabouts, and balancing elements. At the north end of the playground is the English Garden, featuring hedgerows, paving stones, and ornaments turned into a maze for the youngest.

At Dyke Road Park, you'll also find the Brighton Open Air Theatre, hosting many performances throughout the year. Some of the highlights of this stunning Brighton park include the perennial garden and the Booth Museum, a natural history museum with many interactive displays. When you need to refuel your energy, stop by the cafe within the park with a raised terrace and stunning sea views.

St Ann's Well Gardens

Located just half a mile from Hove seafront is St Ann's Well Gardens, one of the most beautiful parks in Brighton and Hove, home to many native and exotic trees. Enjoy the tennis courts, a children's playground, a tranquil fish pond, a Scented Garden for the blind, and a conservation area. St Ann's Well Gardens is a favorite among families with children, couples, and older crowds, as it offers a little bit of everything for everyone.

While there, keep an eye on squirrels, as the park is home to a large population of Grey Squirrels, for which the locals renamed it the Squirrel Park. St Ann's Well Gardens is also known for its Saxon Chalybeate (containing Iron) spring, once the finest natural spring in Europe. Today's spring is the starting point of a ley line going as far as South Downs and beyond. The Garden Cafe within St Ann's Well Gardens is the perfect place to stop and grab a bite.

Hollingbury Park and Woods

Situated on Ditchling Road, at the highest point of Brighton and Hove, Hollingbury Park covers 240 acres. This is one of the largest parks in Brighton, boasting a large golf course, extensive woodland walks, a children's playground, and picnic tables from which you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the city.

People come to Hollingbury Park for various reasons, including Hollingbury Castle, also known as Hollingbury Hillfort, and Hollingbury Camp, an Iron Age fort listed on the National Heritage List for England. Right next to Hollingbury Park is Wild Park, making it easy to explore the grounds of both parks. At 593 acres, Wild Park is the largest Local Nature Reserve in Brighton & Hove, boasting beautiful woodland walks, football pitches, a children's playground with a multi-use games area, and stunning city views. When hunger strikes, go to Sanah's Mixing Bowl bakery at the northeast end of Wild Park for some delicious pastries and coffee.

Stoneham Park

A small park on Tamworth Road, right next to Holy Cross Church and St. Peter's R C Church, Stoneham Park features sporting facilities, a community-run café, and two play areas. The Hove Community run café organizes various events, classes, and workshops for everyone to enjoy.

Stoneham Park is the best park in Brighton for families because of the fun and educational play areas equipped with a sandpit, slides and swings, climbing elements, and more. In the center of the park, you'll find a wooden sculpture of pigs in a row, a memorial for the Duke of Portland, who once kept pigs on the gravel pit of the park and gave part of Stoneham Park to the locals for recreation.

The Level

Spacious, fun and triangle-shaped, The Level is the largest urban park in central Brighton, offering numerous activities for people of all ages. Visitors can explore the Sensory garden and the beautiful flower beds along the rose walk, practice at the international standard skatepark or watch their kids play at the fun playground and the play fountains.

A highlight of the park is the elm trees providing shelter for White-letter Hairstreak endangered species of butterflies. There's so much to do and see at The Level, so prepare to spend at least three hours. If you forgot to prep a picnic basket, stop by the The Level cafe for pizza or the Pelicano for coffee.

Blakers Park

To the right side of Preston Park, in the Fiveways area of Brighton, is Blakers Park, a small park with a lot to offer. The park features a recently renovated playground, tennis courts, and a distinctive Victorian clock tower. The land now Blakers Park belonged to Alderman John George Blaker, mayor of Brighton, a knight, and a Chairman of Brighton Council’s Works Committee. In 1894, he donated the land to the town for recreation.

Blakers Park is an excellent spot for birdwatching, as over 50 birds were spotted living within the park's grounds. People come here to relax, have a picnic and let the kids blow off steam at the recently renovated playground, which includes 15 new pieces of play equipment. Dishy Kitchen coffee shop is in the heart of the park, making it easy to grab a bite and rehydrate.

Old Steine Gardens

Walking along Brighton and Hove Seafront, right next to Sea Life Brighton Aquarium, you'll come across Old Steine Gardens, a triangle garden with historical landmarks and memorials. Though small, the gardens offer plenty of things to see and do, and being right next to Brighton Palace Pier and the aquarium makes it an easy stop to escape the crowds.

Once an open green space where fishermen stored their boats, Old Steine Gardens today is home to a dense forest and a tranquil pond with swans playing around. Right in the center of the gardens is a 19th-century Victorian Fountain, the park's highlight and a popular tourist attraction. Walking around the beautiful park, you'll encounter several monuments of historical importance, such as the Statue of Sir John Cordy Burrows, the Brighton War Memorial, and the Egyptian Campaign Memorial. People come to Old Steine Gardens for many reasons, whether to escape the Brighton Pier crowds, do their morning exercise, or relax and have a picnic.

There are a few shops nearby selling drinks and snacks, but it's easy to find food around this area, as there are many restaurants and cafes.

The best Brighton Parks to stretch your legs and relax

Brighton parks offer a variety of landscapes, from extensive open lands with beautiful gardens and spectacular views of the city to extensive woodland walks surrounded by mature trees. If you are looking for other parks to stretch your legs and connect with nature, you can also visit Kipling Gardens, Easthill Park, Stanmer Park, East Brighton Park, Withdean Park, Saunders Park, and many more.

Are you up for something more adventurous? With so many hiking trails, it's easy to explore the wilder side of Brighton on foot and connect with nature. And if you are looking for something easier to do with your kids, you can try Brighton's nearby beaches instead.