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).
There`s a lot happening at Margate, take your pick 🌊
🏆 Fancy a game of @spikeball on the beach? You`ll find a set in each Lookout Suite and we`ve got some in reception you`re welcome to borrow. May the best team win
🍨Insider scoop. There`s a 12 scoop ice cream flight by @morellisgelato at @pearlycowmargate. Now that`s summer by the sea
🍔 For team savoury, you`ll want to put Burger Night in your diary. £15 burger and fries every Wednesday. Or £20 for steak and fries every Thursday
🍽️ And it wouldn`t be summer without a barbecue! No need to book. @pearlycowmargate will be grilling all sorts of delicious eats on our @biggreenegg on Mondays and Tuesdays
Summer in the city of York is to see York at its most vibrant, historic and wonder-filled! Whilst you’re here, we`ve picked some things for you to get up 📝
Perfect for: History lovers
Until 10th August - York Georgian Festival brings 18th-century York to life with citywide talks, tours, performances and hands-on workshops.
Perfect for: Music lovers
13th and 20th August - York Minster Organ Recitals returns with six acclaimed musicians performing spectacular music beneath the cathedral’s soaring vaults
15th August - Candlelight: Vivaldi`s Four Seasons. An enchanting and essential experience for any fan of classical music, be it your first time or your fiftieth
Perfect for: Couples and groups
19th - 22nd August - Ebor festival - This four-day festival at York Race Course stages three Group 1 races as well as the prestigious Ebor Handicap on Saturday, 22nd August that lends its name to the meeting - sporting excellence, fashion, and York’s most famous races
Perfect for: Kenny Thomas fans
28th August - See Kenny Thomas at The Grand Opera House, one of the UK’s most successful singers of his generation, having had two Top 10 albums and eight Top 40 hit singles over his thirty-year-plus career
Perfect for: Families
The Watchers of York: Sculpture Trail
Full of character, humour, and mystery, discover 12 hand painted sculptures dotted across the city.
Perfect for: Seekers of grandeur
Visit Castle Howard
A 35 minute drive from No. 1, Castle Howard is a magnificent 18th-century stately home set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking parkland, lakes, and ornamental gardens
Perfect for: Active visitors
Walk the City Walls | daily from 8am
At 3.4 km long, the beautifully preserved walls are the longest medieval town walls in England
Perfect for: Thrill Seekers
Ghost Walk around York
Join an atmospheric evening of history, mystery and haunted corners, led by storytellers who bring York’s most chilling tales to life
About Saturday... Brighton Pride 🌈
A sold-out day of sun, sparkles, singing and sea views. @MichaelMarouli brought the house down and DJ @coops.png kept the vibes up, all with the parade passing right in front of us
Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it so unforgettable 💛
Details in Brighton...
Life buoys, postcards from the past and an old fairground sign along the bedroom corridors
Disco ball and giant fan at reception
Spinning Helter Skelter and a boat in The Bar
Art, everywhere
What`s on in Margate
🌈 Margate Pride (Aug 8): A vibrant LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade, performances, art, and parties across town. Celebrate with a drink up on The Rooftop Bar and food at @pearlycowmargate
🎤 Wicked: For Good ‘Sing-a-long’: An outdoor movie experience at Margate’s Oval Bandstand & Lawns with popcorn and a communal atmosphere
🎨TEARS Final Show: @Tracey_Emin_Artist_Residency culminates at @TKEstudios, showcasing diverse contemporary works from the current cohort of resident artists
🎶 Live Music at @Dreamlandmargate: Catch Nile Rodgers & Chic (Aug 21) and Bastille (Aug 22)
🖼️ See what`s on at @Turnercontemporary
🛍️ Plenty of great independent shops to browse and bring something home
🌊 Enjoy the warmth of the golden sand and a refreshing dip in the waters
Standout serve of the season at No. 15 Bath
The Biscotti Espresso Martini - Rich, velvety and made for slow sipping
An indulgent take on the classic, blending vodka, Kahlúa, amaretto and fresh espresso with notes of Biscoff, caramel and warming nutmeg. To finish, we top it with our homemade No. 15 biscotti
And Sunday-Thursday, between 8-9pm, it`s our House Hour which means all cocktails for £8
Reflexology, a gentle, holistic therapy that works on the principle that specific points on your feet, hands, and ears correspond to different organs and systems within the body.
We apply mindful pressure to these reflex points to soothe a busy mind, improve circulation, release the physical tension and bring you back into a state of equilibrium
Choose between 60 minutes or 90 minutes
GUESTS WHO...
sip cocktails on The Terrace and up on The Rooftop
celebrate very special occasions
find beauty in window views
try something or somewhere new
Which guest are you?
Brighton is made for spontaneous summer getaways! If you`re visiting the city, here`s what`s happening...
20th-26th July
🏖️ On The Beach: Seafront concert series featuring Big Beach Boutique 7 and world-class live music
27th July - 2nd August
🌈 Pride (Aug 1–2): This year`s headliners are Raye and Diana Ross. Head to The Terrace Bar for our Pride Party
24th-31st August
🛵 Brighton Mod Weekender: Sharp suits, music, and a classic scooter run celebrating 21 years
🎵 Day Fever, Brighton (Aug 30): Iconic 20th-century hits, from Madonna to Prince
And...
🎭 Live music and comedy nights throughout summer at iconic venues such as Komedia
🏊 Dive in for a swim at the beach
🎡 Enjoy the nostalgia of fairground rides at Brighton Palace Pier
📚 Wander The Lanes and North Laine for antique jewellery, vintage, records, art, books and independent cafés
🧺 Visit Royal Pavilion - Regency glamour meets dramatic Indo-Saracenic architecture meets Chinoiserie interiors. Pair it with a picnic in the Pavilion Gardens
- If there`s time for more, take a day trip to Seven Sisters or Devil’s Dyke
📸 Bedroom view at No. 124 @benjiryder
BRIGHTON`S BIGGEST PARTY DESERVES THE BEST TABLE 🌈✨🪩
Think ice cold cocktails, champagne, tacos, oysters and front-row views of the parade. @coops.png will kick off the party at 10am followed by a live performance by @michaelmarouli. Expect powerhouse vocals, quick wit and plenty of sparkle!
Just 11 tickets left - click the link in our bio to reserve yours.
An unforgettable day and evening with Freya and Dave 💍
Our first wedding ceremony at No. 42 Margate!
📸 @jacksonandco
Your guide to what`s on and what to see in York this summer by local @bykatieelena
💛 @Yorkminsterofficial - the magnificent architecture is particularly striking during golden hour
🚶♀️Walk the city walls - particularly beautiful between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar and then between Micklegate Bar and the river
⚓️ River cruises - very fun when it`s nice weather and they allow dogs too
🖼️ Clifford`s Tower - recommended for views of the city. Whilst you`re here, visit the Art Gallery too
👻 Ghost Bus Tour - York`s spooky history is rather well known - get to know it
🌳 Museum Gardens, Deans Park & Rowntree Park - the parks are great for everyone but particularly the little ones
☕️ Bishopthorpe Road - stop by the coffee shops, delis and independent shops
🪄 @TheShamblesYork & Shambles Market - step foot on the famous medieval street believed to have inspired Harry Potter`s Diagon Alley
Some of my favourites...
🚆 Day trips - Whitby, Knaresborough, Castle Howard
📚 Shops - Upside Down (Bootham), The Imaginarium (Blake St), Criminally Good Books (Colliergate)
🥐 Coffee shops & bakeries - @Flori.bakery, @stanandromana, @kiosk_cafe
Events and happenings to keep an eye out for
🎶 @YorkCastleMuseum - A Victorian Summer Spectacle involving gala-inspired décor, crafts, and immersive live music
🎤 York Georgian Festival: A citywide celebration of York’s Georgian era, featuring heritage events, talks, tours, and performances
🎼 York Minster Organ Recitals: Six musicians performing in this magnificent cathedral
🐎 Racing in York (Aug 19–22): The Ebor Festival returns with sporting excellence, fashion, and York’s most famous races
Check-in series #10
No. 1 York - Large Guest Room
Spread across the ground, first and second floors, there rooms are ideal for a longer stay, or if you just enjoy the comfort of more space. You can choose a super-king-size bed or two decent-sized single beds and definitely dog-friendly and children-friendly too. Most rooms can fit an extra cot or bed! All have seating areas to relax too. As always, you’ll find all the usual GuestHouse goodies too
Your guide to the different room types at No. 42 Margate 🐚🌊
Family friendly. Dog friendly. Find a room that suits you all. And if there`s more of you than can fit in one room, we have interconnecting rooms too
How to enjoy the sun... ☀️
- Late afternoon, post-work or after dinner drinks at The Terrace Bar. Borrow a hat for extra shade!
- Sips on The Rooftop Bar in Margate (now open 7 days a week!), on the terrace or back in your room, on the balcony
- Breakfast or dinner al fresco at @pearlycowyork
Places to escape the heat... 💨
- Cool off in The Bar at Bath with quintessential to unexpected cocktails and some bar snacks
- Work from ours at The Lounge in Margate and keep topped up with iced lattes
- Take a seat in one of many of our spaces at No. 124 for some desk time or to chill
- Not been able to sleep? We`ll help you reset in our soothing Spas
- Stay the night. All of our coastal properties have air-con and many of our rooms at Bath and York too
A new cocktail destination on Great Pulteney Street
Sip refined classics, signature serves and seasonal creations alongside small plates and bar snacks
Our standout serve of the season: The Biscotti Espresso Martini - an indulgent take on the classic with notes of Biscoff, caramel and warming nutmeg. Finished with our signature crunchy No. 15 biscotti
Open daily with The House Hour 8-9 PM, Sunday to Thursday, where all cocktails are just £8
COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
The ultimate summer package ☀️🏖️🌊
Check-in to a coastal or city glow up! We’ve teamed up to give you the chance to win a dreamy @guesthousehotels stay and beach-ready essentials from @dockandbay to match. Keep cool from the rooftop to the shoreline. Pack your bags, get set for summer.
WIN:
£300 voucher to spend on Dock and Bay
A one-night stay for two at any GuestHouse hotel, including breakfast the next morning, and a cocktail each
How to enter:
1. Like & save this post
2. Follow @dockandbay & @guesthousehotels
3. Tag a friend in the comments, each tag in a new comment counts as a new entry
4. Share this post
Competition ends: 22nd July, 11:59pm. Good luck.
T&Cs: UK entries only. GuestHouse Hotels stay: for two people sharing a guest room, valid Sunday–Thursday, subject to availability. Excludes July, August and 23rd December-3rd January. Must be taken by 25th March. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for money or alternative items.
Copper Cove Experience - our signature treatment at @fieldtripspa
Switch off, slow down and share a little time together
Our signature copper tub soak and magnesium salts set the scene, followed by side-by-side massages to melt away any lingering tension. Tailor your finish with a bespoke facial or foot ritual, both grounded in a restorative scalp massage
Unhurried, peaceful, and entirely yours
@margoinmargate’s Summer Residency at No. 42 Margate by @guesthousehotels
Very excited to announce our partnership which brings 12 beautiful artworks by Margo to the hotel. You’ll find them from the ground floor leading all the way up to The Rooftop Bar
To celebrate, we’ve created a Kiss Me in Margate cocktail too. Sip a glass and enjoy 10% off all prints by Margo
And, if you see a piece you particularly like from the collection, turn left out of the hotel and you’ll find Margo’s gallery just a few doors down and can arrange bringing one home!
The Margate Coast is full of coastal culture. Here’s why we think it’s a pretty special place...
@visitengland, @VisitEnglandbiz @visitthanet #AllOnTheCoast
