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Brighton and Hove attracts over 9 million visitors a year, and while many flock to its rocky beaches, many equally rush to its diverse museum scene. The museums in Brighton and Hove are some of the best in the UK. And on a rainy day, these top 30 museums Brighton has to offer can really save the day. Is it too rainy or chilly for the beach? Not to worry. These museums have got you covered.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the best museums in Brighton and Hove – from literature to maritime and art museums. Buckle up, and let’s get going. The exhibits won’t admire themselves.

Literature Museums in Brighton

First up, we’ve got the leading literature museums in Brighton. Brighton and Hove have a great list of local authors, including Sarah Rayner and Ian Beck. The area has appeared in some of the most popular novels. It plays in the world, too, most famously in Brighton Rock, Vanity Fair, and even fleetingly in Pride and Prejudice. With all that in mind, it’s no wonder that Brighton has got it in the bag when it comes to literature museums. Check out these top two choices regarding literary history in Brighton and Hove.

1. Horsham Museum

If you love your literature, you already know who Percy Shelley and Mary Shelley are. This iconic power couple were crucial figures in the romantic literature era. While Percy penned works such as ‘Ozymandias’, Mary was best known for her gothic novel Frankenstein.

Horsham Museum isn’t solely dedicated to the couple but acts as a hive for local history preservation. However, it is best known for its sections on the Shelleys. This museum immortalises the couple through various exhibits showcasing personal belongings and history. Horsham Museum is a 40-minute – incredibly scenic – drive from Brighton city centre or just over an hour if you take the train. It is also free to enter, and Horsham is a beautiful market town to spend a day.

• Distance from Brighton: 40 minutes by car
• Highlight: A small town museum with exhibits on the Shelleys amidst local history

2. Charleston

Charleston is one of the most famous places in literature history, once a gathering place for the famed Bloomsbury Group. The Bloomsbury Group contained an inner network of the most revered writers, artists, and thinkers in the 20th century – including authors such as Virginia Woolf.

The museum was first and foremost a home to Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, a couple who both worked as painters. Charleston Museum is just a 30-minute drive from the centre of Brighton or 1.5 hours by public transport. It is set in Lewes, with a tasty culinary scene we’d recommend indulging in after your museum trip.

• Distance from Brighton: 30 minutes by car or 1.5 hours by public transport
• Highlight: The meeting place of the iconic Bloomsbury Group

Art Exhibitions and Museums in Brighton

One thing Brighton does amazingly is its art exhibitions and museums. Brighton artwork has quite a reputation. Art history in Brighton and Hove stretches back to the Bloomsbury Group days and beyond. It has always leaned towards slightly radical and free thinking. And this was further reinforced by the arrival of Banksy’s Kissing Coppers in 2004. You can tour the street art – and still see Banksy’s work – as one of the best free art-related things to do in Brighton. Or you can check out the organised, more formal art exhibitions Brighton offers in its museums.

3. Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery has one of the fanciest locations of all the Brighton and Hove museums in the beautiful Royal Pavilion Gardens. The museum building is in an ornate villa, a world-renowned collection of art, history, and design. You can enjoy a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits. The latest examples of the museum’s temporary exhibits include ‘Queer the Pier’ and ‘Finding Faberge’. Tickets are a little more pricey at £9 per person, but it is worth it if you love your art and cultural history.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: A museum and art gallery in an ornate villa in the Royal Pavilion Gardens

4. Fabrica

Fabrica is one of the most unique art museums in Brighton and Hove. If you want a community feel and a beautiful gallery setting, this museum in Brighton is one for your list. Fabrica sits in a former church in the historic Lanes district – a landmark network of narrow stone streets with medieval-style overhanging buildings in central Brighton.

Fabrica is far from just a contemporary art gallery; instead, it offers workshops, screenings, and talks for visitors to engage with on a deeper level. Just check out the calendar online to see what coincides with your visit. It is a brilliant option for a more hands-on approach to art in Brighton.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: A contemporary art gallery and community centre in a former church

5. ONCA Gallery

ONCA is a lesser-known gallery in Brighton and Hove, just outside the North Laine district. If you Google ONCA, it will reveal a co-working space that houses an arts charity. This fantastic charity helps to bridge social and environmental justice issues through art. You can visit the gallery to browse various exhibits.

As a charity, ONCA is constantly shifting exhibits and issues of focus. So just hit Google and check out the official website to see what’s currently on show. It is a great art gallery in Brighton if you want to plug yourself into the community scene.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: A art gallery and charity in central Brighton

6. Phoenix Art Space

Phoenix Art Space is another charitable art gallery that has to sneak onto the art lover and philanthropist Brighton and Hove itinerary. The Phoenix Art Space was established in 1995 and is beautifully located just on the outskirts of North Laine, a short walk from St Peter’s Church.

The exhibitions are predominantly contemporary works from local artists, and the space is serene – light, airy, and set in a white-painted store. Tickets are free (hello, one of the best free museums in Brighton), but donations are welcome.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Contemporary art that’s free to admire

7. Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft

Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft is a beautiful little ode to the arts, situated in the picturesque village of Ditchling, just a 20-minute drive from Brighton. It celebrates local art and is set in an eye-catching rustic wooden building. Art and village life come hand in hand here, with an inspiring and tasteful embrace of the rural.

For that country experience, Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft is a brilliant independent art museum in Brighton.

• Distance from Brighton: 20 minutes by car
• Highlight: Local art and crafts history in Ditchling

8. Worthing Museum & Gallery

Strictly speaking, Worthing Museum & Gallery is dedicated to more than just the arts. It actually holds one of the most well-respected costume collections in the UK, containing over 30,000 outfit items. Not bad for a little town museum, just 30 minutes along the coastline from Brighton by car or train.

As far as its art exhibits go, though, Worthing Museum & Gallery has mostly fine and decorative arts. Think history meets artwork with plenty of archaeological artefacts on the side. If you want to get out of Brighton’s city centre and visit the surrounding towns, Worthing Museum & Gallery is ideal. And it is perfect for the more historically minded art enthusiasts.

• Distance from Brighton: 30 minutes away by public transport
• Highlight: History meets artwork, with the largest costume collection in the UK

9. The Grange

Ready to embrace artwork in a Georgian house with an onsite tea garden? The Grange is a tiny local gallery that showcases local artwork, including that of its once homeowner, William Nicholson. It is one of the prettiest museums Brighton has up its sleeve. The Grange is easily one of our top recommendations for anyone wanting a more quaint experience off of the standard tourist tracks.

Take a peek at the art collection and then treat yourself to a cream tea in the homely gardens.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Cream tea and a private art collection

10. Enter Gallery

Enter Gallery is another North Laine particular, home to a collection of rare prints by famous artists. Contemporary art lovers, this is your spot. It is also where to head to purchase a piece or two. The gallery welcomes viewers but runs as a little shop, with staff to advise you on different pieces and come to a fair price agreement.

To combine an art museum experience with an indulgent shopping spree, Enter Gallery is one of the best places for Brighton artwork.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Shop and browse

11. Kellie Miller Arts

Kellie Miller Arts is a beautiful blue-painted gallery amid Brighton’s historic Lanes district. It showcases local talent and works by national and international artists. You can admire stunning sculptures, glasswork, ceramics, paintings, and sketches.

Kellie Miller Arts is free to visit and easy to reach. Suppose you want a quick taste of Brighton’s art scene at an independent gallery. In that case, it is a winning choice for your itinerary.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Free to visit with various exhibits, including sculptures and glasswork

12. Helm Gallery

Helm Gallery is ambitiously striving to be the largest contemporary art space – which, after reading this section, you know to be an impressive title. Brighton is passionate about contemporary artwork, and Helm Gallery pioneers this further. It has a beautiful artwork display, from neon signs to textured paintwork.

Even better, you can browse Helm Gallery with a cocktail in hand. What’s not to love? It’s easy to reach too, scenically located in North Laine.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Cocktails and contemporary art

History Museums in Brighton

You can only visit Brighton and embrace the city’s history. It has transformed from a humble fishing village to a Victorian seaside powerhouse and creative capital of rebellious artists, thinkers, and society shakers. Even now, Brighton is redefining itself and embracing new aspects of its history. There’s just so much to embrace.

You can take a walking tour on a sunny day in Brighton’s history. Or, you can check out some of these top history museums in Brighton and Hove.

13. Booth Museum of Natural History

You can’t visit any leading destination and ignore its inevitable natural history museum. Natural history museums are the perfect place to better understand somewhere’s connection to nature. The Booth Museum of Natural History is no different. It is a beautiful place to learn all about the fossils and bones dug up long ago in Brighton and Hove. In fact, it can teach us in equal parts of its past, present, and future.

Booth Museum of Natural History takes the environment and conservation seriously, which we love. It also has free admission, making it one of the best free museums in Brighton and Hove.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Natural history and conservation inspiration

14. Hove Museum of Creativity

This classic-looking museum is set in a stunning Italianate villa just 20 minutes from the city centre via the coastliner. The once-private villa sits in Hove along the coastline and hosts an insightful collection of local history exhibits. You can learn about Hove’s development over the centuries and get up close to more family-related history through toy exhibits.

Hove Museum of Creativity is also free – a nice touch and ideal for a budget-friendly trip to Brighton.

• Distance from Brighton: 20 minutes via public transport
• Highlight: A beautiful Italianate villa setting

15. Anne of Cleves House Museum

Anne of Cleves House Museum is one of the most essential history museums in Brighton and Hove. Just looking at the 15th-century timber house, you know it’s unique. The medieval property was actually gifted to Anne of Cleves – aka, the fourth of the six fated wives of Henry VIII. Tragically, Anne never got to live there. However, you can still take a walk through the preserved medieval decor. It is an eerie way to learn more about Anne through the ‘future’ house she never saw.

The museum is in beautiful Lewes, just a 20-minute drive or 30-minute train ride from Brighton’s city centre.

• Distance from Brighton: 20 minutes by car or 30 minutes by train
• Highlight: The home-to-be of Henry VIII’s 4th wife

16. Seaford Museum of Local History

Seaford Museum of Local History is iconically set in the Martello Tower, a circular construction erected in the early 19th century. The beautiful tower was initially built as a defence against Napoleon. However, it was never needed, so it has just ‘looked pretty’ since then. Set right on the beachfront, this historic landmark is the perfect place to house a local history museum. And if you fancy local history in a novelty setting, we’d highly recommend a visit.

Seaford Museum of Local History is just an hour away via bus or 30 minutes by car. And if you drive it, you’ll hop along the coastline through some of the most iconic seaside towns.

• Distance from Brighton: 1 hour by bus or 30 minutes by car
• Highlight: A novelty tower originally built to defend against Napoleon

17. West Blatchington Windmill

Speaking of novelty history museums in Brighton and Hove, West Blatchington deserves a definite mention. This historic windmill was constructed in the mid-19th century and is packed with memorabilia and heartfelt exhibits. If you’ve never seen a traditional windmill up close, West Blatchington Windmill is a must. It also has a lot of personal history,, with exhibits on its past and current owners.

West Blatchington Windmill is only a 15-minute drive from the city centre or 25 minutes on the bus. It is a breeze to visit transport-wise and offers an absolute novelty.

• Distance from Brighton: 15 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus
• Highlight: A novelty windmill with heartfelt exhibits

18. The Keep

The Keep is one of the most unique museums in Brighton and Hove. Rather than being a doors-open-all-the-time-to-the-public venue, the Keep is a centre for archives. This means it oversees all the archive collections for the East Sussex Record Office. In short, it is where you’ll find some of the rarest texts and documents in the country.

The Keep is where to head if you want a scholarly-level museum in Brighton. It is definitely academic leaning rather than standard tourist entertaining, but that’s ideal if you want that extra stimulation. You can check out opening times for the general public on the official website. There are ‘Welcome Wednesdays’, tours and introductions to the Keep and its archives. These cost just £7.50 and run on the first Wednesday of each month.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Scholarly levels of exhibits and collections

19. Anna’s Museum

Anna’s Museum is a bit of a local secret. This quirky little spot is in Montpelier, one of Brighton’s central districts. It is a museum crammed into the space of a single window display. This weird layout attracts flocks of onlookers’ in the know’ and speaks to Brighton’s unique creative spirit. There’s everything from taxidermy to natural history exhibits. And, of course, Anna’s Museum is free to admire.

Anna’s Museum really takes window shopping to a different level. Allow around 10 to 15 minutes to peer at the bizarre exhibits and their tiny, handwritten, explanatory notes. Then, head for a walk in the nearby St Nicholas Rest Garden.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: A unique set of exhibits in a window display

20. Old Police Cells Museum

This is by far one of the most exciting history museums in Brighton and Hove. The Old Police Cells Museum documents the history of the area’s policing, starting from 1830 and continuing to the present day. Brighton has seen everything from high-profile arrests and gang violence to the murder of its first Chief Constable. The Old Police Cells Museum captures this through engaging exhibits and tours. Get ready to embrace the dark and sketchy.

Ring and enquire about tours, as the online booking system is a bit hit and miss. Alternatively, just pop in and see if there are any running.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Dark history and crime tours

21. Brighton Toy and Model Museum

Who doesn’t love a toy museum? The Brighton Toy and Model Museum was founded in 1991 and sits outside Brighton Station. Despite being an independent museum, the little treasure trove has over 10,000 items in its collection. And a visit to this small museum really packs a punch as far as British and European toy history goes. There’s everything from model planes and puppets to three working miniature railway systems.

At £8 per person, we’d say that Brighton Toy and Model Museum is well worth a visit. It is easily reached too, just a short walk from central Brighton.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from the city centre
• Highlight: Vintage toys set scenically next to the Brighton railway station

22. Preston Manor

Fancy wandering the 20 rooms of an elegant Georgian manor just a 15-minute train ride away from central Brighton? Preston Manor is one of the biggest ‘wow factor’ museums within easy reach of the city centre. Walking the ornate rooms and the private walled garden feels like an entirely different world from the gritty Brighton promenade. And if you’d like to immerse yourself entirely in the Georgian period, Preston Manor is the most scenic place to do so.

For just £9 per person, Preston Manor has visitors embracing Downtown Abbey-style aesthetics. This museum opens seasonally, closing to the general public throughout winter and reopening at Easter.

• Distance from Brighton: 15 minutes away by train
• Highlight: A grand Georgian manor

23. Henfield Museum

Henfield Museum could be better known. Get ready to put Google Maps to the test and get off the standard Brighton tourist path. You’ll be venturing out on a 25-minute drive through the rural scenery of South Downs National Park into the popular village of Henfield. Here, you’ll find the Henfield Museum, which houses exhibits dating from prehistory to the 20th century.

Henfield is a beautiful village to detour to, and this museum is a brilliant way to combine a village day trip with a drive through South Downs National Park and a bit of history. As a one-room museum, Henfield Museum is one of the cutest museums you’ll find near Brighton. And it is a sweet insight into the city’s rural outskirts.

• Distance from Brighton: 25-minute drive
• Highlight: A cute one room museum with rural, local history

24. Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion is the crown jewel of Brighton and Hove. This palace was built for King George IV, inspired by Indian and Asian architecture and decorated with eccentric luxuries. It is easily the most famous landmark in the whole of Brighton and one of the best-known sites in the UK. You can admire the exterior’s striking architecture in the Royal Pavilion Gardens for free. Alternatively, head inside for a – slightly steep but worthwhile – entrance fee of £18 per person.

The Royal Pavilion is the most iconic of all the historic landmarks and museums in Brighton and Hove. You can’t miss it.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from city centre
• Highlight: Incongruous Indian and Asian inspired architecture

25. The Regency Town House

If you are willing to get more organised and book a guided tour, the Regency Town House is one of the most rewarding museums in Brighton. This former residential abode is now a museum and heritage centre. The Regency Town House preserves local history between the 1780s and 1840s, protecting a niche slice of Brighton and Hove’s story.

You can arrange a guided tour through the museum’s official website or take a sneaky peek on one of its exhibition days.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable from city centre
• Highlight: Niche 1780s-1840s history

Gardening Museums in Brighton

As a quick interjection, gardening and greenery are vital parts of Brighton’s history. The city is sandwiched between South Downs National Park and the ocean. It has a vast agricultural industry and fishing history. Similarly, less than two hours from London by car, it quickly rose to fame as an escape to nature and ‘fresh air’ for inner-city-living Victorians. As such, gardening and flora are a massive part of the city’s identity. You can see this in public gardens like the Royal Pavilion Gardens. Or you can visit a special museum.

26. Museum of Gardening

Perhaps one of the most wholesome museums in Brighton and Hove, the Museum of Gardening is an unmissable attraction for anyone with green fingers. The cute museum is set on the outskirts of Keymer, a village just a short drive away through South Downs National Park.

Visitors can admire various niche exhibits, including vintage gardening tools and early mowing machinery. It’s small but passionately created and a real novelty to experience first hand. The museum itself is adjoining to a functioning gardening centre. So you can pick up some plants and check out the cafe afterwards.

• Distance from Brighton: 20 minutes by car or train
• Highlight: Antique gardening equipment and a scenic drive through South Downs National Park

Maritime Museums in Brighton

Last but not least, we have the best maritime museums in Brighton. Brighton and Hove has one of the most critical naval histories in the UK. Not only did early residents rely on fishing for income and diet, but Brighton was also a defence line from naval attacks. Brighton has much to say about maritime, whether you learn about fishing or naval military strategy.

27. Brighton Fishing Museum

The Brighton Fishing Museum is one of the quirkiest maritime museums you’ll ever see. The venue is in the Kings Road Arches arch, overlooking the beachfront. You can’t miss it, with its red, vintage sign emblazoned in a curve over its arch and double-door entrance. The Brighton Fishing Museum is volunteer-run and preserves the city’s fishing history.

For those who know Brighton, you know the importance of its early fishing days. Initially, it was just a humble fishing town. So preserving the area’s fishing tales – no pun included – is a vital part of its story as a whole.

• Distance from Brighton: Walkable in city centre
• Highlight: Fishing history and vintage aesthetic

To Conclude

As you can see, Brighton and Hove offers far more than just beaches and seaside cheesiness. It may have a reputation as an LGBTQ+ friendly, gritty beach getaway, but Brighton and Hove have lots to offer in the way of museums, too. There are dozens of excellent museums in Brighton and Hove; the museum scene is incredibly varied. You won’t be scrambling for spots to visit and exhibits to see. There’s everything from the Brighton Fishing Museum to the iconic Royal Pavilion.

If you want to learn more before you visit Brighton, it is worth checking out our safety guide.

Don’t forget to look at day trips as well – Brighton is ideal for day-tripping to the South Downs and Seven Sisters, Stonehenge and Bath, Leeds Castle and Canterbury, and the Isle of Wight. There are also many other attractions in Brighton, including the stunning view from the Brighton i360 and activities like cycling tours.

Allow a few days in Brighton to visit as many of its museums as possible and squeeze in a day trip and a few of its other attractions. 3-4 days is adequate time to assemble the ideal Brighton itinerary.