We do like to be beside the seaside. Especially this one! Whether you crave the bright lights of Brighton or hanker for the haven that is Hove, you will soon find the perfect home in East Sussex’s twin towns
5 REASONS WE LOVE BRIGHTON & HOVE
- The full seaside experience!
- The awesome range of shops and restaurants
- Excellent transport links
- The South Downs on the doorstep
- Brighton Pride
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
The motto on Brighton and Hove’s coat of arms “inter undas et colles floremus”, which translates to “between downs and sea we flourish”, sums up succinctly this _ ne city’s enviable location. Positioned between the South Downs and the English Channel, and just 50 miles from London, this relatively new city (granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II as part of the country’s millennium celebrations) is the largest in South East England.
The arrival of the London and Brighton Railway in 1841 first put Brighton on the map, and between 1801 and 1901 the population rocketed from just 7,000 to over 120,000. The Victorian era brought a sense of grandeur, with attractions built including the Grand Hotel, the West Pier and the Palace Pier. As Brighton boomed, so did its neighbour Hove, with the development of the grand Regency Brunswick estate. Despite its growing population, the town gained a reputation as a retirement destination, but it enjoyed a 1990s renaissance and its popularity hasn’t waned since. Today, Brighton is famous for its vibrant arts scene, quirky shops and fabulous beaches. It is also known as the UK’s unofficial “gay capital”.
Brighton has excellent rail links; frequent trains operate from Brighton railway station to London Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras, offering access to London in under an hour. Hove has three railway stations and a London commute of just over an hour. The city centre is easy to get around on foot, cyclists are well catered for, bus services are plentiful and Brighton is well-connected by road. Much of the city’s parking is for residents.
Brighton and Hove has a large proportion of adults aged 20-44, with fewer children and older residents. This demographic is increasingly young professionals, and the area attracts more young people than anywhere else in the country. Many commute, but it is regarded as one of the best places in the UK to start a business, with a new business survival rate of an incredible 87%.
Families lean towards Hove Park, but just 10-minutes from the centre and with some of the best primary schools, these homes come at a premium. Hanover, still less than a mile from Brighton station, is more affordable, and has some excellent primary schools. Preston Park, a mile from the centre, is popular with commuters. Kemp Town, right on the beach, is popular with students so has a more mixed demographic overall. Property prices are high, particularly in the centre, but there’s a huge range of property available, and plenty of Government and housebuilder schemes to assist first time buyers.
OUT AND ABOUT
The star attraction of Brighton and Hove is the beach – all 13km of it! The main focal point is the Palace Pier with a_funfair, arcade halls and delicious doughnuts. Further along the beach, the British Airways i360_observation tower is at the shore end of the West Pier. At 162m high, and with an observation pod rising to 138m, it is Britain’s highest observation tower outside London.
Locals head to the quieter beaches, such as Hove, Saltdean and Rottingdean. Brighton is famous for its shopping, including tons of independent shops which add to the city’s charm. The_North Laine_area alone boasts over 400 shops. Further south, The Lanes are characterised by a maze of narrow alleyways consisting mainly of independent clothing stores, jewellers, antique shops, restaurants and pubs. High street shoppers will find everything they need in Churchill Square, with over 80 shops. There are two weekly flea markets.
Meanwhile, Hove remains the city’s best kept shopping secret and is generally preferred by the locals who enjoy the same high standard of local products and service, without the hustle and bustle associated with the Lanes. Fish and chips are synonymous with a trip to Brighton but locals will testify that they are just the tip of the iceberg of the city’s food scene. The city is awash with small dining establishments, including one of the highest densities of plant-based restaurants in the country. Brunch and Sunday lunch are also both a big deal here!
When the sun sets there are countless pubs and bars to explore, each with their own character. The city centre can attract rowdy groups at weekends so consider Hove for nightlife with the same edgy vibe as Brighton but with a little more class.
There is so much to do in the city, whatever your tastes. Brighton hosts many festivals, including the Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe annually, in addition to the world-famous Brighton Pride, which attracts a staggering 450,000 visitors to the city over the August weekend. The historic Royal Pavilion is open to the public and there are plenty of museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas to visit too.
If you’re up for an adventure, walk the South Downs Way, taking in the white cliffs at Seven Sisters, or visit Devil’s Dyke. If you enjoy water sports, Hove Lagoon is home to wakeboarding, paddleboarding, windsurfing, SUP yoga, kayaking and sailing, and caters for kids and adults of all levels. Sussex County Cricket Club is also based in Hove. The southern coast of England has a mild and sunny microclimate compared to the rest of Great Britain, so there are ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
FACT FILE
Average property price in Brighton and Hove (June 2024) – £424,988
- Property breakdown*
- Detached – £792,472
- Semi-detached – £522,764
- Terraced – £473,734
- Flat – £334,988
*According to the Land Registry House Price Index
Famous Residents
- DJ Norman Cook
- Actor and comedian Steve Coogan
- Singer James Morrison
- Actor and author David Walliams
- YouTube stars Alfie Deyes and Zoella
HOMES ON THE MARKET
GRAND AVENUE – Hove
From
- £123,750* (SHARED OWNERSHIP) *Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £495,000
- £540,000 (OPEN MARKET SALE)
Grand Avenue offers a collection of 72 apartments in Hove, available through shared ownership and open market sale. The energy-efficient homes come with Bosch and Hoover integrated appliances in the kitchen, a balcony or terrace, zoned under floor heating and video entry system. Located just metres from the beach, with several apartments enjoying spectacular views towards Hove Lawns or the seafront, homes bene_ t from local amenities, entertainment, and excellent nearby transport links to London Victoria, London Bridge, Brighton and Gatwick airport. There is a unique mixture of open space just minutes away from Grand Avenue, so whether you go by bike or on foot you can breathe the fresh sea air, explore tranquil woodland, or roam the open countryside.
HOME X
Brighton
From:
- £80,000* (SHARED OWNERSHIP) Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £320,000
- £225,000 (OPEN MARKET SALE)
Home X is a collection of 318 apartments in Moulsecoomb across both open market sale and shared ownership. With a contemporary special cation these open-plan homes come with Siemens and Bosch integrated appliances in the kitchen, full height windows, under floor heating, communal gardens, flexible work and collaboration spaces on-site and at nearby Plus X, a supermarket and pharmacy. Home X is conveniently connected with plenty of transport links by bus, train, bike or foot, making travelling around Brighton easy.
WHARF TWENTY ONE
Shoreham-by-Sea
- Coming Soon
Experience modern living crafted with a contemporary touch. These one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments offer style and private outdoor space. Through a remarkable regeneration initiative, Shoreham is undergoing an exciting transformation, and significant investment is being made into the local community and economy. A sprawling 3.5 acres will be rejuvenated, breathing life into the landscaped public areas and giving residents access to the picturesque riverfront. The harbour is also poised for revival and will include charming cafes and restaurants. The open-plan apartments come with a private balcony or terrace, zoned under floor heating and integrated appliances in the kitchen. It is less than a 10-minute walk to Shoreham-by- Sea station offering good transport links.
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