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Favourite Brighton spots
by @jackfromafar

We spoke with Brightonian and Photographer Jack Rowan who shared his favourite Brighton spots and his stunning photographs with us.

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.

It’s such a small city that you can explore on foot easily and discover your favourite spots.

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). 

You can find jack AT
@jackfromafar
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Your own secret door into the main hotel, a separate lounge, private pantry and a copper hot tub This is a stay in The Hideout Suite at No. 124 Brighton. Yours for the long weekend if you’re looking for a little luxury

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