Museums in Brighton, Hove and Portslade

If you are looking for something to stimulate those 'little grey cells' then we suggest visiting some of our favourite museums and art galleries in and around the Brighton area.

Museums in Brighton

Royal Pavillion

An iconic and most unmissable structure originally built for King George IV which displays a strange yet workable mix of both Chinese and Indian styling. View exhibits which are on loan by the Queen. There is a shop which sells reproductions of items contained within the building and there are also guided tours available.

Brighton Toy and Model Museum

Formerly known as the Sussex Toy and Model Museum the collection boasts over 10,000 exhibits so there will be something there to take you back to your youth! There is a souvenir shop where you can buy both contempory items and also books and period toys. This not-to-be-missed collection is situated under the arches at Brighton Railway Station.

Brighton Fishing Museum

With Brighton’s coastal location it’s no surprise that in the King’s Road Arches there is a museum dedicated to the town’s fishing industry. Brighton’s historical past is explored using photos, prints and interesting exhibits and there is also access to a computer archive. During summer the museum operates a pleasure boat – weather permitting.

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Situated in Brighton’s Church Street but with an entrance via the famous Royal Pavilion Gardens, the museum and art gallery houses a collection of both local and national eclectic exhibits. There is a café and also a gift shop.

Preston Manor

A wonderful manor house, parts of which date back to the seventeenth century, boasting a multitude of rooms decorated and furnished in Edwardian times. Please note that Preston Manor is closed during the winter period.

The Booth Museum of Natural History

Dyke Road’s Booth Museum houses thousands of exhibits related to the natural sciences. Of particular interest are the collections of birds in there natural habits, butterflies, insects, skeletons, fossils and ancient texts. The geology section has mush to offer including insects encased in amber and examples of rocks and minerals.

Museums in Hove

Hove Museum & Art Gallery

Situated in New Church Road, just along the coast from Brighton, are the wonderful collections of toys, craft, historical exhibits and film related items all housed in the newly refurbished building of Hove Museum and Art Gallery. Please note the museum is closed on Mondays.

West Blatchington Windmill

This grade II listed building is situated just along the coast from Brighton at West Blachington in Hove. There is historical information about the windmill and agriculture in general plus scale models and refreshments.

British Engineerium

Currently closed for further development. We will post details on our site as soon as the premises (which were originally a Victorian pumping station) re-open.

Museums in Portslade

Foredown Tower

Just a short trip up the coast, west of Brighton is Portslade’s Foredown Tower Countryside Centre in Foredown Road, with its beautiful views of the Sussex Downs and exhibits of scientific and countryside importance. The tower was built during the Edwardian period in 1909 and houses a rare camera obscura.