Art & Culture

Ink_d

Ink_d is a small independently run gallery and print studio in the heart of the North Laine, Brighton, exhibiting work from established and local, emerging artist. Pick up a limited edition print from artists including Modern Toss, Ben Allen and Dan Baldwin.

96 North Road, Brighton, BN1 1NE • 01273 645 299 • www.ink-d.co.uk

Phoenix Brighton

Phoenix Brighton is largest artist-led organisation in the South East of England. Based opposite St. Peter’s Church and The Level in central Brighton, Phoenix Brighton provides studio spaces for up to 100 local artists, short-term project space for community groups, and supports a gallery and education programme which brings together professional artists and the general public in a friendly and creative environment.

• 10–14 Waterloo Place, Brighton, BN2 9NB • 01273 603700 • www.phoenixarts.org

Fabrica

Fabrica presents huge contemporary visual art installations in a former Regency church in the heart of Brighton. Recent exhibitions have featured Brian Eno and Anish Kapoor.

Fabrica • 40 Duke Street • 01273 778 646 • www.fabrica.org.uk

Booth Museum of Natural History

Kids will love this quirky museum featuring over half a million specimens, natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum, including hundreds of British birds displayed in recreated natural settings. Plus butterflies, skeletons, a whale and dinosaur bones. Closed Thursdays.

194 Dyke Road • 01273 290 900 • www.booth.virtualmuseum.info

Hove Museum & Art Gallery

Admire the fabulous Indian gateway on your way in and then marvel at one of the finest craft collections in the country and the fantastic toy collection in the Wizard’s attic. Hove pioneered the film industry in the 1890s so don’t leave without checking out the film gallery.

19 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4AB• www.virtualmuseum.info

The Regency Society Blue Plaque Walks

Head to the Regency Society’s website and download pocket sized guides to three easy walks talking in the history of Kemp Town, central Brighton or Hove seafront. Brighton & Hove have been home to many colourful and influential figures from history and these fascinating self-guided tours take in the highlights. A great way to explore the city!

www.regencysociety.org

Brighton Dome

With three venues under one roof, this stylish venue hosts a huge variety of events from modern dance, classical ballet, contemporary and classical music, big name bands, comedy, theatre and more. The Concert Hall is the largest space recently hosting Stomp, Brighton’s very own music / dance troupe, the Corn Exchange was originally the Prince Regent’s riding house and has a magnificent arched ceiling and the Pavilion Theatre used to be the stables.

29 New Road • 01273 709 709 • www.brightondome.org

Brighton Fishing Museum

Discover Brighton’s fishing history and heritage through photographs, artefacts and restored traditional Sussex clinker fishing boats. Afterward, stroll across to the smokehouse and sample some of the freshly caught fish and winkles.

Kings Road Arches, Brighton • www.brightonfishingmuseum.org.uk

Theatre Royal Brighton

Built in 1807 this Grade II listed building has a fantastic regency auditorium, with many famous faces gracing the stage, including Lord Olivier, Marlene Dietrich, John Gielgud and Dame Judy Dench. Catch the shows in Brighton before they hit the West End, there’s been the Rambert Dance Company, English Touring Theatre Company and the Royal National Theatre.

New Road, 08448 717 650 • www.ambassadortickets.com

Preston Manor

Preston Manor is decorated in Edwardian style with many original features and exhibits and has over 20 rooms to visit. The question that everyone asks is: Is Preston Manor haunted? Checkout the website for special events and Ghost tours.

Preston Drove, Brighton, BN1 6SD• www.virtualmuseum.info

The Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion is one of the most spectacular heritage buildings in the UK. A former palace, built by John Nash for the Prince Regent (later George IV), this decadent display of orientalism and chinoisery won’t fail to impress even the most jaded visitor. We highly recommended a guided tour to really breathe life into the palace.

Royal Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1EE

03000 290 900 • www.royalpavilion.org.uk

Charleston House

Charleston was the home and country meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group. The interior was painted by the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, and together with their collection forms a unique example of their decorative style: murals, painted furniture, ceramics, objects from the Omega Workshops, paintings and textiles. The collection includes work by Renoir, Picasso, Derain, Matthew Smith, Sickert, Tomlin and Delacroix.

Open 31 March to 31 October, Wednesdays to Saturdays and Bank Holiday Mondays

• Firle, Lewes, East Sussex www.charleston.org.uk

Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to interesting properties that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Heritage Open Days also includes tours, events and activities that focus on local architecture and culture.

Organised by volunteers – usually property owners or managers – for local people, Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event. Last year the event attracted around 1 million visitors. English Heritage gives central co-ordination and a national voice to the event.

Heritage Open Days provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy these sometimes hidden, often curious and always interesting places in English cities, towns and villages – and completely free of charge.