On a sunny day, Brighton is a sight to see. The pebbles glisten, the gulls are calling, and the pier is filled with ice cream-eating tourists soaking up the sun.

Unfortunately, Brighton also has plenty of rainy days, especially in winter, and stepping outside of the house or hotel seems like a dreadful idea.

But, luckily, there are plenty of cosy indoor activities to enjoy when the rain and wind roll around.

Brighton has something for everyone, whether you want to sip coffee and nibble on sweet treats or have an exciting day out with exotic animals.

How to Enjoy Brighton On A Rainy Day? 

Tackle An Escape Room

Tackle An Escape Room

An escape room is a really fun day out for a group of friends or a family. Some escape rooms also partner single players with a group if you are visiting the city by yourself.

The two most popular escape rooms are Bewilder Box Escape Rooms and Pier Pressure. These establishments offer a couple of different scenarios to escape from, like futuristic rooms, tea parties, and ghostly murder mysteries.

Can you crack the code before the time runs out?

Bring The Casino Into Your Home

Sometimes when the rain is pounding on the windowpane, you really don’t want to leave your house. And that is completely acceptable, as the UK storms can be miserable.

If that’s the case, why not bring the casino experience to your home? There are many reputable online casinos available, where you can deposit funds and start playing classic casino games on your laptop or phone.

For a convenient option, some platforms let you skip the lengthy sign-up process. According to PokerStrategy insights, no account casinos allow you to jump into the action on safe and secure sites.

Since the Rendezvous Casino has unexpectedly closed its doors in March “temporarily”, with no further information, gambling at home is the next best thing.

See What’s On At The Brighton Dome

There is always something happening at the Brighton Dome. Whether it is stand-up comedy, theatre productions, live concerts, informative talks, or art exhibitions, you’re sure to find a production that will keep you out of the rain for a few hours.

And no visit is complete without a pre-show snack and drink. There are three bars: The Festival Bar (only open 45 mins before a show), the Gallery Bar (when the Welcome Area is open), and the Brighton Dome Foyer (open 45 mins before a performance).

The Redroaster restaurant has a heated terrace, making it perfect for a meal before heading to the day’s show.

Explore The City’s Museums And Galleries

There are more museums and galleries in Brighton than can be counted on two hands. A favourite is the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, where fashion, art, and interactive displays await.

The Booth Museum of Natural History is also an absolute treat if you’re into nature and history (as the name suggests).

There are historic books dating back centuries, and taxidermied animals like birds and bugs. There’s even a full-sized whale skeleton and dinosaur bones.

Go “Cafe-Hopping”

No seaside city is complete without cafes dotting the main road, and this is true for Brighton too.

According to the Foodservice Equipment Journal, Brighton had over 360 cafes in 2021, which is the highest number of coffee shops per person in the UK.

Instead of pub crawling, why not go cafe-hopping? Start your morning with a cup of coffee at Starfish & Coffee, grab your umbrella and walk over to Ikigai Coffee for your second brew of the day and a quiche, before heading to Granny’s Cafe near the seafront for a hot matcha and a chocolate pastry.

Catch A Movie At The Oldest Cinema In The Country

The Duke of York’s Picturehouse was opened in 1910 and is considered to be the oldest cinema in the UK.

Watching a movie is the perfect rainy day activity, and despite the cinema’s age, the seats are comfy, there are some sofas on the balcony, popcorn (of course), and a selection of sweet and savoury eats.

Even if you don’t feel like watching a movie, you can book a behind-the-scenes tour of the cinema and hear stories of the characters who worked there since before it was a cinema to the modern day.

Cuddle Some Sugar Gliders At Cuddly Colony

For a really unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience, make your way over to Cuddly Colony. It’s the country’s first dedicated sugar glider education centre.

Here you can get up close and personal with sugar gliders, learn about their natural habitat, and if you’re lucky, get to hold one for yourself.

The centre prioritises the safety and comfort of the little marsupials, and each interaction is determined by the willingness of the sugar glider.

The experience lasts 45 minutes and includes an educational talk, interactions, a Q&A, and food that can be fed to the gliders. Note that there is a minimum age requirement of 16 years.

Find Fishy Friends At Sea Life Brighton

Find Fishy Friends At Sea Life Brighton

Dive into the incredible underwater world at Sea Life Brighton, reportedly the oldest operating aquarium in the world.

It was constructed in 1872, and today you can discover over 5,500 incredible marine creatures. There are sharks, rays, turtles, seahorses, and even a freshwater anaconda.

A lot of the larger animals have been rescued and can’t be released, and the aquarium focuses on conservation and education.

It is the perfect activity to escape from the winter weather while still experiencing what Brighton is all about: the ocean.

Feast At The Open Market

Despite being called the Open Market, most of this market space is under cover. The market hosts more than 50 stalls, featuring artists, fresh produce, and creative gifts.

The historic market was revamped in 2014 and is the perfect place to find prepared meals, fresh and organic produce, and sustainable products.

You can buy local honey, eat Greek food, buy Indian spices, or simply grab a cup of coffee. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to eat in Brighton.

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