Located in the beautiful county of Sussex, in the south of England, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the UK. After the frenetic tourist-filled summer months, when it’s all about beach time and BBQs, the autumn in Brighton brings with it a host of festivals and events, and endless ways to enjoy nature at its best.
Here are just a few suggestions of what to do enjoy in and around the city over the coming months.
1. Enjoy the autumnal colours in the Sussex countryside
The beautiful reds, oranges and yellows of the trees and bushes in autumn are always a lovely sight, and with some of England’s most picturesque countryside, Sussex is full of great places to see it. Sheffield Park and Garden (pictured below) are particularly famous for their autumn show, as are fellow National Trust venues Nymans and Wakehurst Place.
For something entirely free, and much closer to home, Stanmer Park on the edge of Brighton is also a fabulous place to soak up the autumnal vibes.
2. Treat your tastebuds to one of the festivals of food and drink
There's no shortage of food and drink festivals in Brighton and Sussex, including the Brighton Foodies Festival in September. Brighton and Hastings will both be holding their own Oktoberfests this autumn too, celebrating traditional German food and beer.
3. Get cosy with a Sunday roast in a traditional British pub
Autumn is the perfect season to enjoy a traditional British roast dinner at one of the many city or country pubs in the area. Great after a nice long walk, or to escape the damp on a grey autumn day.
Some good Brighton pubs for a roast include the Eagle, the Sussex Yeoman, and the Earth and Stars, all of which are close to Kings Brighton.
Slightly further afield, and great after a country walk, include traditional pubs such as the Shepherd and Dog in Fulking, the Royal Oak in Poynings and the Bull in Ditchling.
4. See spectacular sunsets and starling acrobatics from the i360
Take a sunset flight on the British Airways i360 and you’ll see the striking orange hues over the sea as the daylight fades.
If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of a starling murmuration over the West Pier!
5. Enjoy some Halloween-related pursuits
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween, and the run-up to it, in Brighton and its surroundings. Pumpkin picking at the Picking Patch in nearby Sompting offers a fun pick-your-own experience, and you could get in the Halloween spirit with one of Brighton’s many ghost walks!
As for Halloween itself, Tulleys Farm in Crawley is famous for its ‘Shocktober’ Fest, featuring actors, special effects and scary surprises.
6. Experience Sussex bonfire season
Straight after Halloween comes Bonfire Night, and no county does bonfires quite like Sussex!
On November 5 towns and villages county-wide hold events but the one not to miss is the renowned Lewes Bonfire Night.
Rebecca Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com
7. Catch some live entertainment at one of Brighton’s many venues
Whether you’re in the mood for comedy, music, theatre or film there will always be something to enjoy in Brighton. Popular venues include the Brighton Dome, the Brighton Theatre Royal, the Brighton Centre and the Old Market, although there are also a host of smaller venues. What's On Brighton is a good site to visit for an overview of what’s on and what’s coming soon across all.
8. Soak up some culture on a rainy day
If you’re looking for some indoor activities on a rainy autumn afternoon, why not explore one of the city’s museums or galleries. The Royal Pavilion is a fascinating place to visit, as is the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
