Brighton Palace Pier is the city’s most famous landmark and one of the best free things to do on the seafront. Stretching more than 1,700 feet out over the sea, it packs in funfair rides, two huge arcades, food stalls, bars and classic seaside views. This guide to Brighton Palace Pier covers what there is to do, the rides and food, whether it costs anything to go on, and the practical things worth knowing before you visit.
It is a proper traditional pleasure pier, busy and full of life, and you can spend as little or as much as you like once you are on it.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1899 |
| Length | Over 1,700 feet |
| Listing | Grade II* listed |
| Entry | Free most of the time; small fee at peak times |
| Best for | Rides, arcades, fish and chips, sea views |
| Location | Madeira Drive, at the bottom of the Old Steine |
Table of Contents
A Brighton Icon
Brighton Palace Pier opened in 1899 and has been the heart of the seafront ever since. A Grade II* listed structure, it is one of the finest surviving Victorian pleasure piers in the country, with its white ironwork, domed pavilions and the distinctive red-and-white styling that appears on so many photos of Brighton. It draws several million visitors a year, which makes it one of the most visited attractions in the UK.
Walking its length is an experience in itself. You pass the arcades and food stalls of the older pavilion buildings, then out towards the funfair at the seaward end, with the sea on both sides and views back along the coast to the i360 and the ruins of the West Pier. It is at its best on a warm evening, when the lights come on and the whole pier glows.
Rides and Funfair
The far end of the pier is given over to the funfair, with rides for all ages. Younger children have gentler options like the carousel and a small rollercoaster, while older kids and thrill-seekers head for the bigger rides at the very end, where being out over the open sea adds to the fun.
Rides are paid for separately from entry, either pay-as-you-go using a contactless card or token, or with an unlimited-ride wristband if you plan to go on lots. Wristbands work out better value for families spending the day there, while pay-as-you-go suits anyone who just fancies one or two goes.
Arcades, Food and Drink
Brighton Palace Pier has two of the largest amusement arcades on the south coast, packed with everything from old-fashioned penny pushers and claw machines to modern racing games and prize machines. They are free to wander through, and you only spend if you play.
For food, the pier is proper seaside territory: fish and chips, doughnuts, ice cream and sweets from the kiosks, plus sit-down options including the Palm Court restaurant for fish and chips with a sea view. There are bars too, so you can grab a drink and take in the surroundings. If you want the full chippy experience, our guide to the best fish and chips in Brighton has more options nearby.
Is Brighton Palace Pier Free?
For years the pier was completely free to walk on, and most of the time it still is. The pier has reintroduced a small admission fee, but it only applies at peak times during the main season, roughly March to October, on the busiest days. Outside those times, entry remains free.
The fee is small, around a pound or two per person, and there are some useful exemptions: children under two go free, and anyone living in a BN postcode can apply for a free Local Resident’s Card, which admits the cardholder and several guests at no charge all year. Because the exact fee and the days it applies can change, it is worth checking the official Brighton Palace Pier website for the current details before you go. Either way, the rides, arcade games and food are all paid for separately, so you only spend on what you actually use.
Visiting Tips
The pier is at the eastern end of the main seafront, on Madeira Drive at the bottom of the Old Steine, an easy walk from the city centre, the Lanes and the beach. It opens daily, though the rides and arcades often keep shorter hours than the pier itself, opening later and closing earlier, and times vary with the season and the weather.
There is no dedicated pier car park, so driving visitors usually use the seafront and Madeira Drive parking or a nearby city car park. It gets very busy on sunny weekends and through the summer holidays, so going earlier in the day or out of peak season means smaller crowds. A visit pairs naturally with a wander along the Brighton seafront and beach, which is right alongside.
FAQs
Is it free to go on Brighton Palace Pier?
Most of the time, yes. The pier reintroduced a small admission fee that applies only at peak times in the main season, roughly March to October. Outside those times entry is free, under-2s always go free, and BN-postcode residents can get a free Resident’s Card. Rides and food are charged separately.
What is there to do on Brighton Palace Pier?
Funfair rides for all ages, two large amusement arcades, fish and chips and other seaside food, bars, and a stroll along the deck with sea views. Outside admission charge periods, you can walk the whole pier for free and only pay for the rides and games you want.
How much are the rides on Brighton Palace Pier?
Rides are paid for individually using contactless or tokens, or you can buy an unlimited-ride wristband, which is better value if you plan to go on several. Prices vary by season, so check the official website for current rates.
When did Brighton Palace Pier open?
It opened in 1899 and is a Grade II* listed building, making it one of the best-preserved Victorian pleasure piers in the country.
Where is Brighton Palace Pier and is there parking?
It is on Madeira Drive at the eastern end of the seafront, a short walk from the city centre and the Lanes. There is no pier car park, but there is seafront parking on and around Madeira Drive and city car parks nearby.
Final Thoughts
Brighton Palace Pier is the classic Brighton day out, free to walk on for most of the year, full of rides, arcades and seaside food, and right at the heart of the seafront. Spend big on a ride wristband or just stroll the deck for the views and the atmosphere, it works either way, and it remains the city’s best-loved landmark.
