Brighton is famed as one of the more eccentric cities in the U.K., famed for its rocky beaches, young community and calm way of life. The home of Brighton Pride, one of the most famous Pride parades in the U.K., Brighton is an extraordinary city in so many ways. And another of its well-renowned attributes is its street art. Avenue after avenue, lane after lane, Brighton is filled to the brim with incredible artistry and is worth a visit simply for this! So following my recent visit to the southern city, here is my take on the art gracing Brighton’s buildings, and which had my heart (and my eyes!) completely captivated.
The Prince Albert
The home of Banksy’s Kissing Coppers, the Prince Albert pub is also home to a breathtaking wall of artwork, featuring a range of famous faces, rainbows and symbols, including John Lennon, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley and Freddie Mercury. This powerful tribute to music is a defining piece in the Brighton street art scene, and located close to the train station, can be the first welcoming piece you see as you arrive into Brighton! I particularly enjoy the wide range of famous faces featured, as well as the striking use of colour emanating from the central window, symbolic of the welcoming and friendly nature of the city. When you’ve just got to Brighton for the first time, often after a long journey, having such a stunning mural ready to greet you is a great way to prepare for everything else this wonderful city has to offer!
Location: Prince Albert, Trafalgar Street, BN1 4ED
Rating: ★★★★☆
Gloucester Road
Animals and wildlife aplenty, with a mix of mythical and realistic, Gloucester Road has a few unique pieces to boast of, including dancers above a shop and bright mural with monochrome figures just across the road from each other. Whilst not teeming with artwork, there are definitely enough pieces to warrant a visit, even a fleeting one, to see how the buildings and walls have been spiced up with an inspired mural or two. Gloucester Road doesn’t have as much to see or work of as high a quality as the other areas on our list, but it shouldn’t be written off before you have a chance to go yourself!
Location: Gloucester Road, BN1 4AQ
Rating: ★★★☆☆
North Laine
North Laine, a small Brighton neighbourhood, is a fantastic area to find remarkable and powerful pieces of street art. From a pure white owl gliding towards you, to flowers and butterflies, a purple-haired figure emerging from a building and puzzle pieces over the brickwork, there is no shortage of fantastic and colourful pieces in these few small streets. Dotted with independent cafes, restaurants and bookshops, not only is the street art worth a visit, but a tour of the entire neighbourhood can be a fun activity for any visitor curious about the creative minds hiding in the city. Spend just a few minutes exploring North Laine and you’ll be taken by the range of the artwork, and sure to grab a few pictures of the talent on display.
Location: North Laine Neighbourhood
Rating: ★★★★★
The Lanes
Heading back towards the seafront, The Lanes is another spot famed in Brighton’s street art scene, but unlike many of the other locations, is much less appealing. Whilst I really enjoyed the labyrinth of side streets, lanes and passageways that leave you lost within minutes, it’s notably lacking on the street art side. The main piece, depicting Alice from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland as trying to fit onto the side of the building, is a nice work, but compared to many of the other places the city has to offer, unfortunately is left wanting. Whilst the shops and Lanes themselves are worth visiting, if you’re looking for a plentiful collection of street art, maybe consider some of the other spots on our list!
Location: The Lanes Complex
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
The Open Market
Heading slightly further north, The Open Market is the next location on our whistle-stop tour of Brighton’s creativity, and another great place to see bright and inviting pieces aplenty! Seen most prominently on Francis Street, this narrow road is home to tall artworks adorning the buildings on both sides, with colourful muses, graffiti writing and block colours adding a new dimension to the flat white brickwork base. The focal point of this area is Presuming Ed’s Coffee House, with colourful triangular patchwork patterning on the front of the building, and a large astronaut-like figure on the Francis Street side. Defining this building as a key feature of the street’s identity, the art on display here is expertly crafted and created to give this area a unique feel in such a small geographical location.
Location: Francis Street, BN1 4JG
Rating: ★★★★☆
