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).
In one month’s time York will look like this... ✨
Wake up to the tide. Unwind with the horizon 🌊
Just steps away from the beach…
Help yourself pantry…take your pick!
Slow sunset evenings
Golden hour magic in your room ✨
A cocktail at the bar. And another…
Views from your bed 🌊
A good seat, a perfectly shaken drink, and nowhere else you need to be.
Settle into the evening with us in Bath, York, Brighton, or Margate 🍸✨
If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll book a spa day ‘once things calm down’ — you’re the exact person The Spa at No. 1 York was designed for...
The Virginia Creeper has been signalling Autumn in York...🍁
If you want to make the most of your weekday getaway to this city there`s The `Ber month break offer
Stay 1 night = 15% off, 2 nights = 20% off, 3 nights = 35% off - book 3 weeks ahead
For stays Sunday-Thursday, room only until 11th November
Check-in series #12
No. 124 Brighton - Guest Room
Looking over the spa and city, these rooms make for the perfect cosy getaway for two or a very lovely solo staycation. All the usual GuestHouse goodies, walk-in shower and king-size bed. Found on the first, second, third and fourth floors
The best beach getaways don’t follow a season 🌊
Every Lookout Suite comes with its own @spikeball set— because a little friendly competition is always in style
Autumn in Brighton looks like this...
What’s on in October?
The Story Trail - until 8th November. More than 30 beautiful hand-painted BookBench sculptures by a local artist are dotted across Brighton’s streets, parks and seafront inspired by the stories that shape our city
@brighton_dome Comedy Festival - 16th - 25th October. Stand-up, podcasts, family shows and more
Photoworks / Brighton Photo Biennial - 2nd October - 1st November. Photography exhibitions, installations and talks
Brighton Food Story - 2nd - 4th October. Explore how to build a food culture that is good for the city, for its people and the planet in a day of talks and a network of supper clubs over the weekend
Mutations Festival - multi-venue alternative music festival on 23 & 24 October
Concerts including Westlife and Soul II Soul at the Brighton Centre, plus shows at Brighton Dome, Concorde 2, CHALK and smaller venues.
Professor Brian Cox will also be performing his new tour Emergence at The Brighton Centre on 21 & 22 October, just five minutes from us
Photo credits - Emma Bailey and Brighton Dome
Charlotte and Matt turning heads at York 💍
📸 @ellieniamhphotos
Whisky & Vinyl Nights at Margate 🥃 🎶
Each month, we will explore one bourbon, one Scotch and one world whisky, all while spinning a mix of new and classic vinyl
13th October | 7 - 9pm
17th November | 7 - 9pm
15th December | 7 - 9pm
Tickets are £20 per person, secure your place now at @pearlycowmargate
10 days, 3 drinks, 1 bar not to be missed
@brightoncocktailfestival is back with ten days of the city’s best bars shaking, stirring and showing off their skills, 18th-27th September
Tickets are £20 which gives you access to £6 cocktails and £4 mocktails at No. 124 and over 50 other bars across the city.
Find us at the bar for a sip of Don’t Beet Around The Bush, Notorious F.I.G and Citrus Got Real (non-alc)🍸🍹 🥃
Get your ticket
The longer you stay, the more you save
With the `Ber month break, save 15% on one night stays, 20% on 2 night stays and 35% on 3 night stays.
Book at least three weeks ahead and stay Sunday-Thursday from 27th September to enjoy our happiest rates
Last of the summer escapes in Bath...
Ready to step into Autumn?
Deep sigh relaxation post summer madness
From releasing the tension in your back to getting your glow back on with a tailored facial, find what you`re looking for in The Spa at Bath, York, Margate and Brighton
Soaking up the last of the summer sun in Brighton ☀️🌊
What a summer we’ve had! Thank you to all who joined us
GUESTS WHO...
dine alfresco
host fabulous events
enjoy a quiet moment after exploring
say cheers to cocktails with a view
Which guest are you?
Every September Bath turns Regency for ten days of dances, talks and costumed promenades!
Jane Austen Festival 2026 - Friday 11th - Sunday 20th September
The world`s largest, longest-running Austen festival, don`t miss The Grand Regency Costumed Promenade. Setting off at 11am on 12th September from the Royal Crescent, via George Street, and finishing on Great Pulteney Street - home to our hotspot, No. 15, everyone is welcome
Read all about it in the Guest Insider on our website!
Promenade photos by @visitbathuk
National Dog Day! Celebrating some of our four legged friends and their visits
@beccapearsonstyle at York
@life_with_haz - at Brighton
@travisnuneshair - at Margate
@moosethecockapoo_ - at Bath
@m.mdogwalking74 - at York
@joy_hung_ - at Margate
Darla - at Brighton
@albert_thecavapoo - at Margate
