Hove beach is very close to Brighton beach but has a far more relaxed child-friendly feel. The beach itself is mostly shingle. The sea can become deep at the edge if the pebbles have shifted. It can get busy but not overcrowded.

Along Kings Road and Kingsway esplanade there are a great selection of well-kept attractions (bouncy castles/trampolines), cafes, restaurants and lawns. There is a playpark/sandpit/paddling pool that is a young child’s delight just past Brighton’s old pier (maybe techincally still Brighton): an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. Free too! rightbeach‘s niece has spent many an afternoon pootling around there.

rightbeach recommends Hove for people who enjoy the vibrant mix of quirky shops, cafes surrounded in salty sea air. Not as intense as Brighton, with a charming laid back air.

Beach blurb

• Tide and weather »
• Lifeguards: Lifeguard service June to mid September 9.30am-6pm
• Water quality: Basic pass
• Dogs: Are banned May-September. Dog bins are provided.

See Hove beach on a map …

Things to note to ensure your trip goes well:

• After a busy morning playing pebbles and people watching in Brighton, take a 10 minute walk along the sea front to the paddling pool and keep the youngsters amused in the fabby dabby paddling pools and play park. Finish off with a fish and chip supper before heading off home with some weary babies in the back of the car.
• Marroco’s Ristorante-Bar Grill and Fish, but more importantly…24 flavours of ice cream plus an awful lot of bejazzelling besides!
• When your feet are tired of sand and stones then head up onto the lawns for a foot fresh feel! No sand in the picnic either!
• Parking is available but you do need to move well out of Brighton to ensure you get value for money.

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Area	Rating	Observation
Beach		Shingle.
Crowded (1=deserted)		rightbeach doubts that you would ever be alone but at least the kiddies can become best beach buddies for the afternoon.
Surf		There are some waves but nothing to write home about.
Sand		Shingle and pebbles.
Toilets		Toilets by paddling pool, ncluding disabled access and baby changing. Clean.
Parking
Food		Lots of cafes, ice-cream shops and pubs along the esplanade. VBites cafe (Heather Mills’ vegan cafe) is within the Hove Lagoon complex.
Shopping		An impressive array of funky interior design shops, fashion boutiques and specialist shops jostling alongside international restaurants, organic greengrocers and independent cafes. Regular French markets.

reviewed by Kerry T and the rightbeach Team