When people think of Brighton, they tend to imagine the windswept pebbly beach, the Palace Pier and the colourful streets of the bohemian city centre.
Walk north from the sea for 30 minutes to Fiveways and you’ll discover a completely different side to the city.
Of all the neighbourhoods in Brighton, it’s hard to beat highly liveable Fiveways for a sense of tranquillity. It’s also shaped by the local community rather than visitors, and one I’ve called home for the past 20 years.
Named after the junction its centered around, here you’ll find a handful of independent cafes, two of the city’s best vintage shops, an excellent Mexican restaurant, a few local pubs and one of Brighton’s most beautiful parks.
Fiveways, Brighton: A Neighbourhood Guide
Fiveways is the perfect Brighton neighbourhood if you like respite from the city centre action, and don’t mind a longer walk or a short bus ride into town.
Those who enjoy the leafy residential feel of sophisticated Seven Dials on the other side of town will find a similar atmosphere here.
What I love most about Fiveways are the Victorian houses and how close it is to the South Downs National Park – you can be hiking around the hills in 10 minutes!
If you’re planning a trip to Brighton, my Fiveways guide features local tips on where to eat, drink, shop and things to do including a few unusual discoveries in Fiveways.
You’ll also find my recommendations pinned to a handy map at the end. Let’s explore!
Things to do in Fiveways, Brighton
Follow a hidden Fiveways walk
If I’m walking into the centre of Brighton, I tend to follow a route through the leafy backstreets. From the junction at Fiveways, head down Preston Drove past Tilt Kitchen and turn left into Blaker’s Park.
Wander south through the park past the clock tower to the community garden at the end of Cleveland Road.
Eventually you end up at the Duke of York’s cinema, the oldest in the country, near London Road.
Find the full hidden Fiveways walk route and others, here.
Find a hidden yoga studio
Brighton is saturated with yoga studios but none compete with SPACE which I would argue is the best in the city and my absolute favourite for so many reasons.
It’s run by the coolest husband-and-wife team, John and Catia, who thoughtfully curate an evolving schedule of classes taught by the best teachers around in a beautiful, and well cared for studio.
I also love its unique setting hidden inside the nave of St Augustine’s Church near Preston Park. As you stand in tree pose, observing your thoughts, take a moment to focus on your surroundings: vibrant stained-glass windows, pipe organ barrels, and ornate architraves.
Tempting post-yoga fuel is on offer downstairs at Ceilo Cakery, a cool hidden Brighton cafe known for their epic chocolate brownies.
Find SPACE inside St Augustine’s Centre for the Arts, Spirituality and Wellbeing, Stanford Avenue, Brighton BN1 6EA
Discover a historic garden and a Victorian pet cemetery
Just down the hill from the shops at Fiveways is Preston Manor, an overlooked Edwardian house with a walled kitchen garden, where the manor house owners once grew herbs and vegetables. Today, it’s open for everyone to enjoy.
It’s most beautiful in spring when the flowers are in bloom and hides a historic secret over in one corner: several mini headstones lining a wall form a pet cemetery, home to the graves of 14 dogs and two cats – including George the Pavilion Cat.
Read more about where to find my secret Brighton garden and Victorian pet cemetery here.
Where to shop in Fiveways, Brighton
Savery Books
This unpretentious family-run bookshop is a city secret, overlooked by visitors in favour of those in the centre of town. Miss it, though, and you miss out on one of the best!
Books arranged on tables outside lure you in to browse the floor-to-ceiling shelves bursting with a huge selection of modern and classic reads, many in great condition.
As it’s the only bookshop in the area, it operates a circular economy in that the community donates books for the community to buy and donate back.
Find Savery Books at 257 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JH. Open Monday to Sunday, 10am–2pm
Preloved of Brighton
People travel from all over Brighton to visit this second-hand consignment gem. With its ever-changing themed window displays, it’s hard not to stop and be tempted inside to nab a vintage bargain.
Find Preloved of Brighton at 267A Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6FL
Hollingdean Wholefoods
Not technically in Fiveways, but very close. This hidden wholefood shop can be found within an artists’ studio and gallery space.
Seeing as it’s tucked in a residential street, it’s highly unlikely you’d discover it unless you live in or are visiting the street or someone’s told you about it.
The shop is run by volunteers and stocks all kinds of organic fruit and veg and whole food staples like lentils, pasta, rice, and other things.
Find Hollingdean Wholefoods inside Coachwerks Studio, 19a Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton BN1 7HB
Where to eat in Fiveways, Brighton
Raven’s Bakery
Everything is baked on-site at this long-standing, down-to-earth, family-run bakery in Fiveways – in a 100-year-old stone oven. Its decor is timeworn, and baked goods are classic and unpretentious.
Think: savoury treats like sausage rolls and pasties and sweet treats like Chelsea and iced buns, donuts and Bakewell slices.
It’s also half the price of others in the community. Seasonal treats fly out the door, like hot cross buns come Easter, and mince pies at Christmas.
Find Ravens Bakery at 277 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JH
Tilt Coffee Shop + Kitchen
This unsung veggie hero serves mouth-watering toasties, heaped salads, fragrant soups, gooey brownies and much more from a postage-stamp-size open kitchen.
The coffee is consistently good, too. I dread how many cups I’ve had there while writing my guidebooks.
Find Tilt Coffee Shop + Kitchen at 132 – 134 Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6FJ
Model Fish Fryer
I call it the ‘Accidentally Twin Peaks’ fish and chip shop for the throwback interior that reminds me of the 80s TV show for its classic mountain lodge interior of wooden panelling, a co-ordinating checkerboard flooring, orange Formica counter frontage, chintzy china lamp shades, and retro menu board with all the colourful fonts. The chips are pretty good, too, served in retro-style illustrated paper bags.
Take a peek inside the Model Fish Fryer and find its location, here.
*This place is now called Mr Dandy Fish and Chips and has been completely revamped which as a fan of retro decor I’m sad about. However, what’s important is that the fish and chips are excellent and new owners lovely!
Where to Drink in Fiveways
Preston Park Tavern
The PPT as locals call it, is a welcoming local gastro pub in an elegant Victorian corner building. Peaceful during the week, crowds gather at the weekend, especially on Sunday for one of their incredible roasts. It’s a favourite with families.
The menu changes regularly and there’s always a fish, meat and veggie option. The chargrilled beef burger is consistently good. It’s nice to sit on the sun-trap terrace come summer.
Find The Preston Park Tavern at 88 Havelock Road, Brighton BN1 6GF
Jolly Brewer
A stone’s throw from Fiveways, this small, lively local pub is full of eccentric charm and character. It stands out in the area as a good old traditional drinking pub. Tipples are cheap, and they also do cocktails.
It’s the kind of place you go to intending to have just the one, see a familiar face and end up leaving at closing time! Events like quizzes and music nights take place, some more bizarre than others. It’s not unusual for one of the owners, Zac, to play tunes on the saw.
Find The Jolly Brewer at 176 Ditchling Road, Brighton BN1 6JA
WHERE TO STAY IN FIVEWAYS, BRIGHTON
If you’re looking for a quieter base in Brighton, Fiveways is hard to beat. This village-like neighbourhood combines excellent local cafés, green spaces and independent shops with easy access to the city centre and seafront.
Most Brighton hotels I like to recommend are located nearer to the city centre, but there are a few AirBnBs in Brighton nearby, like this stylish garden flat for two (pictured above). See the full listing here.
Or this huge family-sized townhouse with four bedrooms that sleeps eight on a leafy residential street. See the full listing here.
Getting to fiveways
Fiveways is located around two miles north of Brighton seafront, which is a pleasant 40-minute walk away.
London Road station on Ditchling Rise is the closest, offering regular trains to Lewes and Hastings.
It takes 35 minutes to walk to Brighton Station, and 15 to get to Preston Park station on foot.
Several Brighton & Hove buses stop in the neighbourhood, making it easy to reach from central Brighton.
Although it takes a little longer to get to Fiveways than other Brighton neighbourhoods such as the colourful central North Laine, Fiveways rewards visitors with a strong community feel, a handful of much-loved independent businesses and easy access to the South Downs National Park.
Fiveways Map
Find a useful map of Fiveways independent shopping and nearby addresses of note below and here.
If you want more inspiration, my secret guidebooks will take you off the beaten path.
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1 Comment
It’s wonderful to tour by Google. I can go to Brighton and still stay at home with coffee and a turnover. I am an Anglophile since I was 6 yrs old, been to England twice, London area and Durham area. Sometime I’d love to stop at a cottage and have tea. From these photos I can feel the sea air, taste the salt in the wind and absorb the ancient feel of the profound history of the Brits.