Guide to Visiting Brighton By Boat
0One of the UK’s most vibrant cities, Brighton is a great destination for some seriously good retail therapy, dazzling cultural entertainment, and traditional seaside fun. Plus, with easy access to open water, it is an excellent starting point for exploring the South Coast or for a quick cross-channel passage to northern France.
Spotlight on Brighton Marina
Following extensive development in recent years, Brighton Marina is fast becoming a premier location for boat owners looking for a chic waterside city destination. With over 1200 water berths for boats of up to 41m and 2.3m draft, it is the UK’s largest marina and holds The Yacht Harbour Association’s Five Gold Anchors award.
First-Class Facilities
You’ll find everything you need for a hassle-free stay here including 24-hour security patrols, a self-serve fuel bay, and pump-out facilities, upgraded showers, free wifi, and a cosmopolitan mix of bars, restaurants, shops, and leisure activities for all of the family.
Full-Service Boatyard
You also have access to a fully serviced boatyard with a 60-tonne hoist, 15-tonne boat mover, and static crane, and if you require assistance with any boat work or repairs, Brighton Marina is home to a number of marine companies offering a mix of services including rigging, engineering, fabrication, GRP repairs, valeting, sail repairs, covers and marine electronics. A well-stocked chandlery is also on site.
Prestige Berthing
If you have a vessel over 14 metres in length, Brighton Marina offers annual berthing packages with free prestige benefits. Wide berths, generous-sized pontoons, dock-safe fenders, ‘mooring mates’ dock lines, and free wifi are all reasons why this is a popular location amongst owners of larger-sized boats.
What To Do in Brighton
Family Fun At The Marina
With an array of well known restaurants lining the marina boardwalks you’ll be spoilt for choice for a spot of lunch or dinner. Keep the kids entertained in the evening with an 8-screen cinema and bowling alley, or, if a bit of relaxation is what you are after, head to the Spa for some luxurious pampering or the Malmaison Hotel for a good night’s rest in a warm and cosy bed.
Cultural Delights
Brighton is well known for its thriving arts and culture scene. From theatres and art galleries to festivals and a vibrant nightlife, Brighton has something for everyone. Choose from well known musicians at the Brighton Centre, west end shows at the Theatre Royal, opera and ballet at the Brighton Dome or explore an art exhibition at one of Brighton’s many museums and galleries. The Royal Pavilion is an architectural gem not to be missed - once owned by the then Prince Regent George IV, it was later developed by John Nash into one of the most dazzling and exoctic buildings of 19th Century Britain.
Shop Till You drop
The Lanes is one of Brighton’s most loved and visited attractions. An intricate maze of independent shops and boutiques selling a wonderful array of clothes, jewellery, homeware, antiques and much more, it is a little piece of shopping heaven. This incredible bazaar is also a great place to find tasty food and drink, often using fresh and locally sourced produce. Plus, you’ll never get bored with talented buskers and skillful street artists keeping you entertained wherever you go.
Explore the Countryside
If you want to escape the city, head to the the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. Covering over 1,600km2 of beautiful countryside, the South Downs is a great place to take a scenic walk, go cycling or enjoy some tasty pub grub in a warm and friendly country pub. From picturesque villages and parks, to stunning coastline vistas and ancient woodlands, the South Downs National Park has plenty of interesting places to explore.
Get Active
You don’t need to leave Brighton to get your fitness fix. Brighton is a great place to explore by bike and with several bike hire companies to choose from there really is no excuse - you can even opt for an electric bike if you don’t fancy peddling up the hills! For more of a thrill, head to the beach for an exhilarating zip wire ride, climbing or a variety of watersport activities including stand up paddleboarding.
Take To The Skies
Head to the BA i360 tower and glide up to heights of 450 ft to enjoy breathtaking views over the South Coast. The world’s tallest moving observation tower, the BA i360 experience allows you to step inside a fully enclosed glass viewing pod from which you can admire incredible vistas over Brighton, the Solent, South Downs and even the Isle of Wight on a clear day.
The Ancasta office in Brighton is well established, assisting boat vendors and buyers for over 22 years. With a fantastic location right in the heart of Brighton Marina, in Marina Square, Ancasta offers vendors a fantastic place from which to list their boats and the enthusiastic and knowledgeable sales team can offer great advice to buyers looking for their next boat.