How to spend a day (or two) at Brighton Marina

A day out in Brighton can come in many forms.

While the seafront and nearby city streets take up much of the visitor footfall, one place that’s well worth a visit is Brighton Marina. The UK’s biggest marina, it has plenty on offer to keep all comers entertained, whether it’s a cinema trip for the family or drinks and fun on the town with a stag or hen party.

You’ll also find plenty beyond the usual entertainment staples down at the marina, from craft shops and clothing boutiques through to water sports and the world’s first public electric railway. So, if you’re planning a day or two down on the harbour, here are a few suggestions on where to go and what to do.

Board the Volk’s railway from Brighton Marina to Brighton Pier

While we’re all busy switching to futuristic electric cars these days, you might be surprised to know that Brighton is home to the world’s oldest still-operational electric railway. At 135 years young, Volk’s Railway offers up a novelty experience for all visitors, not to mention a handy travel option between the pier and the marina along Brighton seafront. Running season is limited to spring and summer, so you’ll need to time your visit right, but it’s a cheap and cheerful way to enjoy one of the best stretches of Brighton’s coastline.

Go neon golfing

Globalls is Brighton’s very own 12-hole indoor mini-golf course. A proper fun-for-all-the-family activity, the course is based on a mix of aquatic, carnival and tropicana themes, with a Jurassic mini-golf course too. Featuring life-sized sculptures and wall art splashed in UV-boosted neon colours, it’ll certainly be a visual experience to remember, no matter how good or bad you are at golfing. Plus, there’s a cocktail bar serving up some distinctly unique mixes for the adults – although the drinks probably aren’t quite as luminous as the decor.

 

Get out on the water

While plenty of people visit Brighton, not many actually use the sea for anything more than a shin-deep paddle. Over at the marina, however, you’ve got plenty of ways to get out on the water. Brighton Marina is great for fishing, with mackerel fishing trips available. You can also go hop over some waves at a frightening pace on a powerboat or jet ski, or take one of a few guided Brighton Marina boat trips visiting the nearby wind farms or surveying the town coastline.

 

Have a go at the casino

Should you be feeling both lucky and fiscally responsible in equal measure, Brighton Marina has its very own casino in the form of Rendezvous, open until the early hours every day. You’ll find all the favourite casino games in there to enjoy, but Rendezvous is also a popular location on big event nights. So, if you’re out on a stag or hen do and there’s a big sporting event that you’d like to see, you’ll likely find plenty of atmosphere and excitement over in the bar area.

Enjoy the usual suspects

Beyond the more unique attractions available, you’ll find plenty of old favourites at the marina too. Brighton Marina’s cinema is bigger than the one you’ll find in Brighton centre and a safe bet for a few hours of family entertainment. You’ll also find bowling and beyond at The Hollywood Bowl, which includes an arcade and bar area. Brighton Marina’s shops and restaurants are also plentiful, so if you’re simply looking for a shop-‘til-you-drop sort of day out, the marina has plenty on offer on that front too.

Getting to Brighton

You may get aboard the Volk Railway once you’re at Brighton Marina, but what about a nice, easy rail trip to get down to the coast in the first place? Trains to Brighton run every day at regular intervals as a much less stressful travel solution than sitting in traffic in the car.

Book your tickets today.