Secrets of the Lanes Tour Brighton: Fishermen's Cottages

Hidden passageways reveal Brighton from Tudor times to now

Secrets of the Lanes is a small group walking tour through Brighton's historic quarter, led by a Blue Badge guide in English. You explore the narrow alleyways of 18th century fishermen's cottages and trace the city's development through hidden passageways to the present day. The tour runs 90 minutes and suits all fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Brighton's historic Lanes

• Walk narrow 18th century alleyways
• Discover old fishing town history
• See modern independent shops and cafes
• Learn Brighton's development to present

The experience

The Lanes are Brighton's oldest neighbourhood, a maze of narrow streets that grew from a Tudor fishing settlement. Your guide leads you down the hidden passageways most visitors miss, pointing out the contrast between the low stone cottages built by fishermen and the modern independent shops, cafes and galleries that now occupy them. You'll walk through alleyways that have barely changed in layout since the 18th century, even as the city around them transformed into a bustling seaside resort.

A Blue Badge guide (the UK's official accreditation for expert local knowledge) narrates the story as you move through the quarter. The tour is kept small so the guide can answer questions and adjust pace without losing anyone in the crowds. At 90 minutes, it's long enough to cover the history and the hidden corners without feeling rushed, and short enough to fit into a morning or afternoon without eating up your whole day.

What’s included

• Blue Badge guide leading the tour in English.
• small group size to keep the experience intimate and allow for questions.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and SaturdayDeparts at 11:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Under 16: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Only in Brighton

Is this one for you?This small group format keeps numbers low so the guide can move at a conversational pace and answer questions about the history without rushing through the alleyways: ideal if you want detail and context rather than a quick walk-through.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

19 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What exactly are the Lanes in Brighton?

The Lanes are Brighton's historic quarter, a network of narrow alleyways that grew from a 18th century fishing village. The streets are lined with original fishermen's cottages alongside independent shops, cafes and galleries, creating a mix of old architecture and modern independent businesses.

How long does the Secrets of the Lanes tour take?

The tour runs 90 minutes, which gives you time to walk the main alleyways and hear the history from Tudor times through to today without feeling rushed.

Who leads the tour?

A Blue Badge guide leads the tour in English. Blue Badge guides are officially accredited and trained in local history and heritage interpretation across the UK.

Can I bring children on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You'll be walking on narrow alleyways and uneven historic streets, but the pace is manageable and the guide can adjust it for the group.