Posted: 05.05.26
When did you start getting into photography?
I first picked up a “real” camera in 2017, an old DSLR that my parents no longer used, but really I think photography has been a part of my life since I was a kid. I used to love my old point-and-shoot film camera, I even made a photo diary of our family trip to Australia when I was 7. Jump forward some 20 odd years later, a friend of mine showed me how to use my camera in manual mode and it completely opened the door for me to learn everything I have since.
Where are some of your favourite places to capture that you’d recommend to people visiting in Brighton?
I love wandering around the Clifton conservation area and down to Seven Dials. There are lots of pretty houses and gardens, and being high up the hill there are great views across the city. Seven Dials also has some great cafés and pubs for a nice pit stop whilst you’re exploring.
Where to enjoy sunrise or sunset?
The seafront is a winner for both, and actually I’ve found time of year really affects how good a sunset in particular will be. When you’re on the beach in summer it sets behind the buildings a little early so it’s great to watch from the pier, but in winter it sets over the sea which combined with the weather often makes them much more dramatic.
You have a day away from work, what would be your ideal way to spend it?
Stamner Park is really lovely to visit to get that much needed hit of green open space. Just take a picnic, setup on the hillside and take in the views over the park. One Garden Brighton is also a must visit with its gorgeous walled garden and restaurant serving locally grown produce from their own veg patches.
What are your favourite events that take place in Brighton? Anything you’re looking forward to in the new year?
Brighton Fringe and Pride are always a good time! Brilliant atmosphere and performances, lots of pop up bars and venues to explore.
What’s a fun fact about the city?
There’s a whole network of hidden service tunnels under the city! Some even rumoured to have been built for King George IV to use in secret. You can book tours to go through some of them, and many still have entrances in places like Prizm, although they’re off limits to the public sadly.
Tell us one tip you’d share with budding photographers? Top tips for capturing the perfect shot for Instagram?
Try not to get sucked into the gear culture wars and don’t niche yourself down too early on, stay open to all styles and explore them until you find one that feels good to you. Chat to other photographers you find inspiring, social media can be amazing for that, and you’ll learn so much about composition and editing styles too just from studying other people’s work. And learn the basics; there are amazing cameras out there that can do all the work for you, but I really believe if you understand how the thing works at the foundation level you’ll make much better work than if you let the camera make all the decisions all the time.
I think with social media it’s important to not get too bogged down in making work that ticks the trend boxes. If you happen to be making work that fits a current style trend then great, use that to your advantage. But I also think you should just make work that feels good to you and inspires you to keep going, that way you’ll actually develop a personal style and not just follow the current favourite.
When you wander away from Brighton on your travels, what do you miss most?
The sea, the community, and ease of walking around. And I’m also always eager to get back in the ocean, no matter what time of year.
Where are the hottest places to be in Brighton? Restaurants? Coffee shops? Bakeries? Independents?
I definitely lean more on the alternative side for my favourite Brighton spots. I’ll always recommend places like The Bee’s Mouth, The Hope & Ruin, Green Door Store and The Prince Albert for awesome live music and great drinks! There’s Resident Records too for getting your new releases, lots of local bands and independent labels featured, plus they often host intimate release shows from some incredible artists. For coffee, Small Batch for a solid cup, and Presuming Ed’s for a real Brighton feel. There’s tons of great vintage and independent clothes stores too, too many to name but I do love Family Store for a cool T-Shirt and a badge or zine.
Book your seaside-stay and discover your own favourite Brighton spots. When you stay with us at No. 124 Brighton, you'll find a set of postcards, featuring Jack's images, in your room.
Why not drop a loved one a note and hand your postcard to Reception for our team to post (postage to a UK address is even included).
Check-in series #7
No. 15 Bath - Coach House Large Guest Room
If you liked the sound of staying in The Coach House in one of our previous posts, you’ve got the option for a larger room too. These rooms are family-friendly, with space for a cot in all rooms, and room for our fun mini teepees. Keep them entertained with toys and Yoto Players with story-filled cards during your stay
We’ve got a few rooms left for the Bank Holiday and Half Term. Catch the summer feeling with a family getaway
📸 @wearethelesueurs @alldadstalk, @allmumstalk
No. 124 Brighton can make your seaside wedding dreams come true! 💍🌊
Take over @pearlycowbrighton or The Courtyard for the day, or go all-out with the whole house...
📸: @charlotterebeccaphoto
Things to do in Brighton - save for inspiration 🔖
@artistsopenhouses - 16-17th and 23rd-25th May - visit local artists’ homes and studios
@brightonfestival - until 25th May - celebrate the 60th Brighton Festival with theatre, music, dance, circus, art and family events
@brightonfringe - until 31st May - comedy, cabaret, theatre and pop-up shows
UB40 - 1st June - get your tickets for the big indoor concert
London to Brighton bike ride finish - 21st June - cheer at the finish line
@royalpaviliongardens - one of the city’s best-known landmarks, a great addition to your trip
The Lanes and North Laine - Explore indie shops, vintage stores and street art
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Our very own...
Signature scent with @oastandrye
Bespoke @ivyandduke dog beds
Curated newspaper
Our candles and reed diffusers in `Persia` create the memory of a stay through scent (available to purchase in our hotels!). We welcome our four-legged friends with their very own dog set-up for those all important naps 💤 And, if there`s one place to find out about all the happenings in the hotels and beyond, it`s by flicking through our seasonal newspaper
Bath summer stay incoming
Need a little help choosing the room for you? Scroll for interior design inspo and we`ll see you when you get here
Supawstars at GuestHouse 🐾
Gus - @katharinee.anne
Max - @sofiacolturanigrassi
Spoon - @spoon_iggy
Moose - @moosethecockapoo_
Darla
Bonnie - @sophie.m.robinson
Kobe - @kobeshowdog
Odie - @odies_adventuress
Louis - @npanagarry
GUESTS WHO...
can’t wait for summer
conquer goals
celebrate milestones
care about the little details
Which guest are you?
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Coffee and tea stations with a twist ☕️🫖
Open for a surprise! Some of our rooms at No. 1 York and No. 15 Bath have a whimsical doll`s house and some of our rooms at our beachside properties, No. 42 Margate and No. 124 Brighton, have beach huts. Inside you`ll find everything you need for a morning brew, afternoon cuppa or bedtime wind down!
Just making sure that your Bank Holiday weekend plans include some drinks at The Terrace Bar, @pearlycowbrighton. The vibe? Music by @coops.png tonight and then sea-views and sips until the sun goes down 🌊
Top to toe glow in 90 or 120 minutes ✨
We start with the back scrub to awaken the skin before moving onto a tension-releasing back, neck and shoulder massage. Then it’s down to a rejuvenating foot scrub before finishing with a radiating organic facial and scalp massage. Scroll for a virtual experience of the treatment
Walk out with your new glow and use the code TOP2TOE10 for 10% off, only in May at @fieldtripspa
Check-in series #6
No. 42 Margate - Large Guest Room with Sea View and Balcony
If the beach right at your doorstep and opening the doors to a private balcony with front row sea views sounds like your beach dream come true, you’ll want to be making yourself comfortable in of these rooms. These rooms have a separate bath and shower and a super-king size bed. This is one for those who not only want a room with a view but want to be part of it.
And if you’re travelling from London, we’re less than 1.5hrs with @se_railway!
What`s your `that makes it a staycation` moment?
Making time for a proper breakfast
Zero plans
Going all out - pamper time!
An extra long lie in
A late-night tipple
Tell us in the comments...
We`re very much ready chilling up here at The Rooftop Bar of No. 42 Margate and we know you are too 🐚🌊
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
Station Luggage Pick-up 🧳
You didn’t pack light and that’s okay. You decided you want to head straight into town, that’s no problem.
When you book a stay with us, we offer complimentary luggage pick-up. Step off, hand over and we’ll whisk your bags back to the hotel for you. Simply share your journey’s schedule, and allow us to handle the heavy lifting 🚆
Zowie and Jack put a ring on it by the sea 💍
Huge congratulations to the happy couple and our first official ceremony at No. 42 Margate!
📸 @tomcawdronphotography
💐 @thedarlingbudsofwade
Browse the room types at No. 124 Brighton to decide where you`ll be spending the night 🔑
The Terrace Bar by @pearlycowbrighton is back for its second summer... and it`s all about the bar
Coastal cocktails, long spritzes, cold rosé and proper sundowners. First come, first served
No. 1 York through the seasons 🍃☀️🍂🌧️
Spring, summer, autumn or winter. Plan ahead staycation or spontaneous getaway to York. Whatever traveller you might be, a trip to York is always a good idea. And less than 2 hours by train from London Kings Cross!
Re-introducing some of the things that just make sense at GuestHouse
If you`re new here, let us show you round...
Starting with our Record Players. If you`re a sing to country, dance to pop, chill with jazz or kick back with rock, we`ve got record players in every room and a library with even more records to take up to your room
P.s If silence is your thing, that`s okay too 😉
Spaces for events of any and every kind
Drop our teams a message if you’re looking for a place for your next conference, team meet-up or something a little more fun
