{"id":2152,"date":"2025-05-10T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=2152"},"modified":"2025-05-13T13:11:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T13:11:46","slug":"the-uks-most-walkable-city-is-a-vibrant-coastal-spot-just-an-hour-from-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/10\/the-uks-most-walkable-city-is-a-vibrant-coastal-spot-just-an-hour-from-london\/","title":{"rendered":"The UK\u2019s most \u2018walkable\u2019 city is a vibrant coastal spot just an hour from London"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Locals and tourists alike love this spot on the south coast (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether you don\u2019t like flying or Europe<\/a>\u2019s sweeping anti-tourism measures<\/a> have put you off, there are plenty of reasons to holiday closer to home.<\/p>\n

For one, Britain is bursting with quality staycations, from off-the-beaten-path gems<\/a>, to destination dupes<\/a> to vibrant cities.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need a car to explore the country either; simply don your trainers and head to the UK\u2019s most walkable city.<\/p>\n

This prestigious title goes to Brighton, the beloved seaside spot on the East Sussex<\/a> coast, renowned for its creative heart and diverse culture.<\/p>\n

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@waterbearcollege<\/a> <\/p>\n

With summer around the corner, it feels about time to do another round up of things you can do in Brighton! From lunches in the Garden Cafe, to finding hidden treasures in the North Laine Bazaar, there really is so much to see and do in this great city by the sea! Comment below your favourite places you\u2019ll be visiting this summer in Brighton\ud83c\udf1e #brighton<\/a> #thingstodo<\/a> #thingstodobrighton<\/a> #summer<\/a> #brightonandhove<\/a> #thelanes<\/a> #vinyl<\/a> #recordshop<\/a> #summervacation<\/a> #seaside<\/a> #holidaydestination<\/a> #brightonmusic<\/a> #brightonbeach<\/a> #musicuniversity<\/a> #workshop<\/a> #masterclass<\/a> #madegree<\/a> #bahons<\/a> #onlinedegree<\/a> #waterbearcollege<\/a> #musicuni<\/a> #brightonuniversity<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c Bim Bom \u2013 Jo\u00e3o Gilberto<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Earlier this month, it placed third in the world and first in the UK in Time Out\u2019s survey of 18,500 people, searching for the world\u2019s most walkable cities.<\/p>\n

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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As a former Brighton resident myself, I can confirm this to be true. <\/p>\n

Despite being incredibly hilly in places (damn you, Elm Grove), the city\u2019s 82.88 km\u00b2 size means that everything is within walking distance. From shops to pubs to restaurants, and of course, the beach<\/a>, nothing is too far away.<\/p>\n

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Brighton has been named the UK\u2019s most walkable city (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Things to do in Brighton<\/h2>\n

Brighton\u2019s music and arts scene is legendary. Over the years, the city has been home to plenty of famous faces from Pink Floyd\u2019s David Gilmour to Fat Boy Slim<\/a>. As for its musical history, Brighton has seen many memorable moments, perhaps most famously Abba\u2019s 1974 Eurovision win.<\/a><\/p>\n

Today, the focus on grassroots music is more obvious than ever. Venues like Green Door Store and The Rossi Bar champion emerging artists and nurture homegrown talent, putting on affordable events every night of the week. Bands like Lambrini Girls and Lime Garden are recent successful products of the city; both constantly praise their hometown for its commitment to the local music community.<\/p>\n

234 Fest and Homegrown Festival are non-negotiable grassroots events in Brighton\u2019s musical calendar, while the annual Great Escape showcases local artists and those from further afield. A four-day saver ticket for the latter is \u00a3108.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DHlIaoeNBls\/?img_index=1<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a cheap way to spend your day, Brighton Beach is a classic landmark. During the long summer days, residents and holidaymakers grab their crochet blankets, speakers, and set up camp on the pebbly stretch of coastline. <\/p>\n

The Brighton Palace Pier is close in proximity if you fancy a sugary doughnut or a few games in the arcade.<\/p>\n

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Brighton Beach can get incredibly overcrowded in the summer months. For a more relaxing beach day, walk further down the coast towards Hove. <\/p>\n

Here, you\u2019re guaranteed more space to spread your belongings, and it\u2019s often a little quieter. There\u2019s still a vibe, though, as Rockwater Hove, the loungey beachfront destination, is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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A perfect day in Brighton includes lounging on the famous beach (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brighton Pride <\/a>is arguably the<\/em> main event of the year. Taking place on the first weekend in August, it\u2019s been firmly established as the UK\u2019s most popular Pride Festival. The city is widely considered to be the unofficial LGBTQ+ <\/a>capital of Britain, thanks to its vibrant queer culture.<\/p>\n

The parade through the city centre is an electric celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, while the event as a whole is a time for remembrance and advocacy. This year, major artists like Mariah Carey, Sugababes <\/a>and Confidence Man will take to the stage in Preston Park. Weekend tickets start from \u00a3103.<\/p>\n

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Brighton Pride is the UK\u2019s most popular Pride Festival (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\t\tThe best pubs and venues in Brighton\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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Inn on the Square <\/strong>\u2013 A city centre pub with heaps of outdoor seating. The bar staff are fun and friendly, and put on regular gigs. Their Greek-inspired kitchen does some of the best side dishes ever. The famous meatballs, at \u00a39.50, are a standout.<\/p>\n

The Exchange<\/strong> \u2013 A \u2018hidden gem\u2019 pub nestled in the heart of Hove, head here to check out incredible artwork created by the general manager, and try delicious local beers.<\/p>\n

Hope & Ruin <\/strong>\u2013 Described as a \u2018music-led watering hole,\u2019 the reclaimed, neon interior is just as impressive as the events they put on.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DIlXNa7t6kU\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Fancy a bit of history? The Royal Pavilion Garden allows you to \u2018bask in regency splendour\u2019, inside and out. The palace is literally fit for a king \u2013 the Pavilion was constructed as the seaside pleasure palace of King George IV. Complete with Gothic and Indo-Saracenic architecture, plus a preserved interior dating back 150 years, entry is \u00a317.00.<\/p>\n

And finally, when in Brighton, be sure to check out the North Laines. An iconic landmark within the city, the area is home to a slew of independent boutiques, vintage shops and antique stores. <\/p>\n

Whether you grab a bite to eat from one of the vegetarian cafes (Iydea is a personal favourite), or sip on a cold pint in one of the many pubs (the White Rabbit opposite can provide your after-dinner beverage), it\u2019s the ideal spot to soak up the bohemian vibe synonymous with Brighton.<\/p>\n

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@georgiablankson<\/a> <\/p>\n

Snoopers Paradise, Brighton\ud83d\udccd#thingstodoinbrighton<\/a> #brighton<\/a> #snoopersparadise<\/a> #snoopersparadisebrighton<\/a> #brightonlaines<\/a> #northlainesbrighton<\/a> #brightontok<\/a> #brightondaytrip<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c original sound \u2013 ShellacSoir\u00e9e<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The Lanes (also referred to as the South Lanes) offer narrow, labyrinth-like walkways and are nestled between the North Laines and the seafront. Head here to find homeware shops and high-end brands, plus other popular pubs like The Black Lion and East Street Tap, which sits on the edges of The Lanes.<\/p>\n

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From London, Brighton is super easy to reach. A train from London Victoria or Blackfriars takes just over an hour, and one-way tickets start at \u00a323.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Why are walkable cities important?<\/h2>\n

Like we said earlier, as sustainable travel continues to rise in popularity, many people are searching for destinations where they\u2019ll make a positive environmental impact. Walkable cities receive fewer cars; when needed, people take public transport. This helps to improve air quality.<\/p>\n

Additionally, studies<\/a> have shown that people who live in walkable cities are healthier and happier. It\u2019s just as easy to get your 10,000 steps in a day as it is to make friends and forge a community with your neighbours.<\/p>\n

This article was first published on April 23, 2025.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Locals and tourists alike love this spot on the south coast (Picture: Getty Images) Whether you don\u2019t like flying or Europe\u2019s sweeping anti-tourism measures have put you off, there are plenty of reasons to holiday closer to home. For one, Britain is bursting with quality staycations, from off-the-beaten-path gems, to destination dupes to vibrant cities. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2152"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2155,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2152\/revisions\/2155"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}