By Andy, founder
Winter in Brighton is grey, windy and often wet, but it has its own charm: stormy waves along the seafront, frosty mornings on the Downs and a warm welcome in a cosy pub. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to start.
Out in the weather
Blow away the cobwebs on the seafront
A walk along the promenade on a clear winter's day is bracing, with the waves rolling in. Follow it with a hot drink somewhere warm. Check the forecast first, and wrap up well.
Take a frosty walk on the Downs
A short walk at Devil's Dyke or Stanmer Park on a crisp morning is beautiful. Stick to the paths, check the forecast and be back before the light goes. It gets dark early and the weather can turn quickly.
Warm and cosy
Find a fireside pub
From the Lanes to Lewes, there are plenty of old pubs with a fire and a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit a museum
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is a good place to spend a cold afternoon. Talking about what you're looking at is a natural icebreaker, and it's warm and dry inside. Check opening times and entry prices before you go.
Browse the Lanes and North Laine
Plenty of cafés and independent shops to duck into when the weather turns. Easy to shorten, easy to stretch out.
Festive and seasonal
Each winter, towns across Sussex light up for the festive season, and Lewes is famous for its Bonfire Night celebrations in early November. Check this year's listings before you plan around anything, because the crowds can be big. A stroll with a hot chocolate makes a lovely early date.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by four o'clock in December, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Check the travel. Storms and icy weather can disrupt trains and buses, so have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Brighton work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- brighton
