My favourite Brighton shops

Last updated : 4/6/2023

I wanted to write about my favourite Brighton shops because it’s such a vibrant and interesting city and the shops are unique.  Although there are plenty of chain stores in Churchill Square, the best shops are further east, in the Lanes and the North Laine, which are either side of North Street, between the railway station and the seafront.

The stress-free way to get to Brighton is to go by train because if you drive then parking can be expensive and spaces difficult to find at busy times.  If you pick the wrong car park like the NCP in Russell Road then you’ll pay over £5 per hour!

When I visit Brighton I use JustPark – a website and app which lets you book a space in advance and I’ve parked right in the middle of town and saved a fortune.  I use them every time I go and can pick a space in a variety of private and public car parks, or also on homeowners’ drives.  It’s so easy to do and is great for gigs and other events too.  I parked near Wembley too using their service and it was great value and right next to the venue.

Best Brighton shops

Here is the list of my personal favourite Brighton shops but there are many more in the area.  I have listed them in order to form a tour from the famous Lanes, where you can browse antiques, jewellery and fashion as well as stop for delicious food and drinks. 

England At Home

The first stop is England At Home, in Ship Street.  They sell funky, unique homewares and gifts, I’ve been shopping here for many years.  There are two Brighton shops, one on the corner of Prince Albert Street and one opposite.  They do mail order if you can’t get to the shop, using their website here.

The Duck House

The next stop is a relative newcomer, The Duck House in Union Street.  They are a one-stop-shop for plastic ducks, and what a collection they have!  There are ducks to suit all tastes, from Darth Vadar and Spiderman ducks to painter-and-decorator ducks.  Sporty ducks, scooter-riding ducks, teenage mutant ninja turtle ducks – you name it!  Something for everyone.  Check out their website here to see just what an amazing range they have!

 

Bravissimo

Although most of my favourite Brighton shops are independently owned, there are some smaller chains which are worth a mention too, like Bravissimo in North Street.  I pay them a visit almost every time I come to Brighton as they have a brilliant choice of bras and clothing for ladies with D-L cups (which is most of us these days!).  Their staff are outstanding, and very knowledgeable about all things boob-related.  Customer service is key and there’s a nice waiting area with comfy sofas for the men in your life who would otherwise be pacing up and down while you try on all the tempting lingerie.  They do mail order if you can’t get to a store, so pay their website a visit or give their customer service team a ring if you need advice because they are superbly trained on the fit and style of all the products.

 

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Malarkey

Malarkey is bursting with a massive range of greeting cards, gifts and pictures.  There are cards for everyone, from Brighton-themed ones to cheeky ones, to cute and mainstream ones.  Something for every occasion, in fact.  I can’t find a website so you’ll have to go in person to see what’s on offer.  I would highly recommend it though as I’ve been shopping there for decades.

Irregular Choice

This is one of the most vibrant shoe shops in the world!  The exterior is a hint of what is inside, with its amazing floral street art designs.  But you need to head inside to see the full array of what is on offer, with bright and cheery colours and designs, for both shoes and bags.  Ideal for a wedding or party, or if you simply want to be a bit different in your everyday fashion.   Their website includes shoes and accessories, all available online if you can’t get to a store.  You can also see what they offer on Amazon here.

 

 

 

Dockerills

I used to pay Dockerills regular visits when I was setting up home in my first flat in Hove, as the staff are so helpful and it’s the type of old fashioned ironmonger which is sadly lacking in most towns these days.  It’s a family-run business which is over 100 years old, and must be one of the most successful Brighton shops in history.  Their website lists the amazing array of services they provide, including key cutting, metal fabrication and a ‘grindery service’.  So you know where to go the next time you need to grind…

Vegetarian Shoes

Moving north into Gardner Street, my next stop is known in our house as the veggie shoe shop.  With a vegetarian husband who is keen to avoid leather it’s the perfect place to buy footwear.   The prices are reasonable and I’ve bought sandals and shoes from there too, as they sell veggie lookalike versions of Birkenstock, Converse, Doc Marten and desert boot styles.  They sell other animal-friendly products such as belts and satchels.

See their website for mail order if you don’t live near Brighton and want to save a few cows.

 

Lust

I won’t dwell too much on this shop in case my mother is reading, but suffice to say it has a very pretty exterior and many floors of adult fun inside.  Some very rude (and often hilarious) gifts await you on the ground floor, and then as you move upstairs the stock gets more ‘exotic’.  What’s more, the staff are extremely friendly and helpful.  If you want to find out more then visit their website here!

Jump The Gun

Righto, back to a less fruity subject!  Jump The Gun has been selling 60s style menswear for 20 years and is a mecca for anyone of the modernist persuasion.  They mainly stock own-brand clothing, including suits and a collection of colourful shirts, all made in the UK or Europe.  They sell t-shirts, badges and other merchandise related to the mod and scooter scenes.  Check out their website for some great photos and videos of the local scene.

 

 

Little Beach Boutique

One of my oldest friends also comes to Brighton regularly and recommended a new shop to me which I just had to visit as it sounded right up my street.  It’s on North Road which is a left turn at the top of Gardner Street, just a short walk from Jump The Gun.

She was right!  Owner Suzanne makes beautiful glass pictures, coasters and other lovely homewares, much of it with a Brighton theme.

She also sells a lovely range of gifts, some handcrafted, including jewellery, bags and children’s clothing.  I treated myself to one of their scarves!  They sell greetings cards too and my son chose a nice one for Father’s Day.

There’s a fab collection of clocks which would look lovely in a child’s bedroom.

They are open seven days a week and the shop doubles up as a workshop where you can watch Suzanne creating one of her masterpieces.  

It’s a great place to go if you need to buy a gift, or treat yourself to something special.   Check out their website for mail order too if you can’t make it to Brighton.  You can even learn to make your own unique glass creation and they cater for hen parties or other groups.

Retro Cards

I believe this was formerly calls the Vintage Magazine Shop but it seems to have rebranded as Retro Cards and is in Kensington Gardens.  It’s a great place for gifts, cards and posters and there is so much choice.  From badges to mugs, t-shirts to fridge magnets and too many cards and posters to count.  They have a website, which is here, if you’d like to see what’s available online.

 

 

Oddballs

Oddballs is further up Kensington Gardens and is a treasure trove of puzzles, toys, skateboards and the best supply of juggling gear in the county (I think, but don’t quote me on that!).

I come here every Christmas for presents for the boys, but often end up playing with them myself!  The last time we visited, my son and a friend had a go with the diabolos which was great fun.  Then the owner showed us how it was done with lots of tricks! 

The staff are always keen to demonstrate their products which is so useful – and fun!

 

And finally…

After a wander around the shops it’s nice to stroll along the prom, and if you’re near the i360 (the new seafront attraction next to the West Pier) then do pop in to the Brighton Photography gallery in the arches on the lower promenade.  Their prints are stunning, especially of the pier and surrounding areas.  Their calendar is always amazing and is currently proudly displayed in my kitchen!  Check out the website to see their stunning work.

 

 

And so concludes my shopping tour of Brighton!  There are too many other great shops to mention, so you have to come and see them for yourself.  It’s a busy, cosmopolitan city with so much to do and see.  What are your favourite Brighton shops?  Please leave a comment below and I will make sure I pay them a visit them on my next trip!

Don’t forget – for the best value parking you can book in advance try JustPark.

Brighton has an amazing variety of shops that are definitely worth checking out if you’re a traveller. However, if you want to shop from the comfort of your own home, you can try online shopping. BPS is a platform for custom gift gathering where you can choose any pattern or size you like to customise the products you need. They offer custom keychains, backpacks, badges, belt buckles and more – so there are plenty of unexpected surprises to discover!

 

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