UK Edit: Exploring Brighton’s Boutique Streets

Brighton North Laine

I love escaping London to explore. It doesn’t happen very often but it’s always a good reminder that there’s more to life than this crazy city. We went to Brighton a few weeks ago for a blogging collaboration with ibis Hotels. Grabbing the opportunity of an overnight stay, we took the following day off work and explored.

Instagram is the best for recommendations. I don’t know Brighton at all so we took all the suggestions and set off on our adventure. But you know, lots of walking needs to be fuelled by a great breakfast. Our first stop was Cafe Coho, practically next to the hotel and as you’d expect, ever so hipster-ish with exposed brick walls and industrial vibe.

Decor aside, they serve probably the best breakfast in the world. Or rather, if you’re vegan and gluten-free, it’s insane. Replacing bread with a slice of toasted sweet potato and piled high with beetroot, falafel, avocado, sun-blushed tomato, houmous, chia seeds and micro herbs. It may sound like I’m being ridiculously smug, but believe me when I say it’s super easy to eat a lot of vegan junk food. This is a rare attempt from me to be healthy and it just worked as an amazing breakfast.

Cafe Coho Vegan Breakfast

Tummies full, we set off down Queen Street before cutting down a side street into the area known as North Laine. All the recommendations that came to us had been for The Lanes which we did move on to, but it was North Laine that became my absolute favourite part of Brighton. So many independent boutiques and cafes that I wish I had the appetite of 100 people. Not to mention all the colourful street art. If feels these days that quirky London is disappearing into a sea of homogeneity with a Pret on every corner and glass buildings all around. To find somewhere that still feels individual and quirky is a treat.

One of my favourite finds is Eden Perfumes. It’s the most incredible perfumery who can replicate, almost exactly, your favourite designer fragrance. The difference? They’re entirely vegan. So not only not tested on animals, but using no animal-derived products in manufacture either. And the scents are just amazing. I picked up one which is a match for Cacharel’s ‘Amor Amor’ which I love and it cost only £12.

From homewares and stationery to artisan ice cream and fashion, we could have popped into every shop. This is worth a visit to Brighton for me. I grew up in little seaside towns and so the seafront and main high streets in the city hold no interest particularly. It’s these independents which make the difference.

We criss-crossed the commercial shops to make our way into The Lanes and it’s easy to see why this is such a popular tourist destination. It reminds me of the narrow quaint streets in York. Full of jewellery shops, cafes and the eponymous Choccywoccydoodah. My favourite shop and one I’ll return to again and again is Workshop Living. Simple, modern, stylish living. Channelling Scandi vibes with a gorgeous tranquil space. Stockists of the amazing SOH Melbourne candles which we could smell from outside and loved so much one came home.

As the day wore on our train back to London beckoned. We had enough time for a late lunch pitstop and headed back North behind the station to award-winning Coggings & Co. Specialising in burgers made with local Sussex meat, the restaurant is so light and stylish and lunch was delicious. Aside from the meat burgers, they do offer a vegetarian burger which can be adapted to be vegan (spiced falafel) and it’s that good.

Just over an hour away, Brighton is now on my list of favourite places to visit. With Christmas shopping right around the corner, I’ll be making a beeline for the shops here.

Brighton Street Art She Votes

Workshop Living Brighton

Cafe Coho Brighton

Brighton North Laine

Eden Perfumes Brighton

Brighton North Laine

Welcome To Brighton

Brighton North Laine

Brighton North Laine

MummyTravels

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12 Comments

  1. Miriam @londonkitchendiaries
    September 11, 2017 / 7:22 am

    Looks like you had a fabulous time in Brighton! So many great shops – would love to buy a scent at Eden Perfumes and brows through Workshop Living 🙂

    • Lins
      Author
      September 12, 2017 / 9:58 pm

      It’s such a brilliant place once you know how to escape the main streets, I love wandering behind all the quaint back streets X

  2. September 19, 2017 / 12:16 pm

    I love that street art. I have never been to Brighton. Looks like a unique and quirky kind of a place. Lorelle 🙂
    #CityTripping

    • Lins
      Author
      September 19, 2017 / 10:02 pm

      Quirky is exactly right! It’s known for being very individual and independent, such a vibrant city X

    • Lins
      Author
      September 19, 2017 / 10:07 pm

      This was our first real proper visit and I loved it too! x

  3. California Globetrotter
    September 20, 2017 / 7:34 am

    I honestly don’t know how I missed these street art and the amazing bars when I was there in 2014! But I’ll be back! #CityTripping

    • Lins
      Author
      September 24, 2017 / 10:53 am

      I totally rely on Instagram now when I go to a new place, either looking for hashtags or asking people what they recommend. I’d be lost without it 🙂

  4. MummyTravels
    September 21, 2017 / 6:29 pm

    I do love Brighton – had such a fab sunny day here recently and while I had to scamper through the Lanes and North Laine faster than I would have liked, It Is the best place to browse and the food is always amazing too. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

    • Lins
      Author
      September 24, 2017 / 10:55 am

      Now I’ve realised just how close it is I can’t wait go to back! Perhaps a little pre-Christmas shopping trip. Thanks so much for hosting x

  5. September 25, 2017 / 5:22 pm

    I live in Brighton but it’s always nice to read about other experiences. It certainly is a vibrant and colourful town. I still haven’t been to Cafe Coho and will have to go and try their breakfast, sounds delicious! Polly #citytripping

    • Lins
      Author
      September 26, 2017 / 10:38 am

      Thanks so much Polly, it’s amazing how you can get another perspective on places you live in – I always love reading about what people think of London too. Hope you enjoy Cafe Coho if you get there X

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