The Lanes

There’s a beguiling whiff of the past in the maze of narrow streets and twittens (or alleyways) immediately north west of Brighton Pier. Many of the buildings here are 18th century and the thoroughfares they stand on date back two centuries further, to the days when Brighton was just a fishing village.

The Lanes is no longer the best part of town to find quirky little places selling antique furniture, china and oddments - for these, you’ll want to scoot over to Kemptown - but the traditional and contemporary jewellers so beloved of engagement ring hunters are still there. This is also a great area for one-off boutiques, gallery shops and cafés. There's also an interesting contemporary art space here, Fabrica, which hosts challenging installations. All in all, this is a romantic and diverting area for a wander, particularly with a significant other. See my Shopping in Brighton: The Lanes and North Laine guide for more information.