Brighton City Open Market

You'll find Brighton City Open Market tucked into the heart of the city centre, and it's the kind of place that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick dash through. The covered market hall has been operating since the 1800s, packed with independent stalls selling everything from fresh veg and cheese to vintage clothes, flowers, and the sort of trinkets you didn't know you needed until you spotted them. It's got real character - wooden beams, natural light streaming through the glazed roof, and the smell of fresh bread and coffee mixing with something indefinably "old building."

This is brilliant for families who want their kids to see how a proper market operates without the chaos of a street market. You can pop into the fishmonger, watch someone actually slice your cold cuts, grab a coffee and people-watch from the cafe areas dotted about. Plan for an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're browsing the vintage stalls or chatting with stallholders. It's not the sort of place kids will moan about, and it genuinely reflects how Brighton locals actually shop and spend their time.

Free to wander, though you'll obviously spend money if you buy anything. Given that Pegs and Pitches Camping is less than a mile away, and Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is just under two miles out, the market makes a solid morning stop before heading back to camp or exploring the seafront. Open most days - check locally for hours as they vary seasonally.