Explore Brighton's rich fishing heritage through film, photography, paintings and memorabilia, featuring a 27-foot traditional Sussex fishing boat as the centrepiece.

Brighton Fishing Museum offers visitors a fascinating journey into the history of Brighton's fishing community and its transformation into a fashionable seaside resort. Located within two arches on the seafront west of Brighton Pier, the museum is ground level and accessible by ramp, making it pushchair-friendly and welcoming for all visitors. The museum's centrepiece is an impressive 27-foot clinker-built punt boat, a traditional Sussex fishing vessel. Visitors will discover hundreds of pictures and artefacts that capture Brighton's evolution from the Brighthelmstone of the 1700s, when seawater was prescribed for its medicinal benefits, through to the arrival of the Prince Regent and the development of Brighton as a fashionable resort town. The museum traces how the fishing community adapted over time, with fishermen eventually becoming boatmen and showmen of the sea. Exhibits cover the arrival of the railway in the mid-1800s, the story of Brighton's famous piers including the West Pier, Brighton Swimming Club, and traditional Punch and Judy shows. The museum is free to enter and does not require advance booking, making it an ideal family destination for discovering how Brighton became the iconic seaside town it is today.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

B

Becky T

a month ago

A small free museum celebrating the town's fishing heritage. Although compact, the museum makes excellent use of its two rooms with informative displays, photographs, and artifacts explaining Brighton's fishing history. You can have a quick look in around 10 minutes, or spend two or three times as long if you stop to read everything. Note: Probably not worth travelling to Brighton just for the museum, but it's an interesting stop if you're already walking along the seafront.

C

CY Honest Guide

2 months ago

Free fishing museum. Just give a donation. Nice one

J

James O'Shea

3 months ago

Whilst Brighton has some quite expensive attractions, specially round the Royal Pavilion, this unassuming little museum is free admission. It's actually quite packed with interesting history. Definitely worth visiting and making a voluntary donation.

D

Dr. Alex

3 months ago

A really tiny but free museum about fishing heritage of the English canal. Worthy a stop by if you are heading to a beach or getting a local snack nearby. But don’t make it the goal of your trip 😉 Note: the enterance is not very obvious - you have to go down to the beach and enter from there. Lots of old fishing boats will guide you in.

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mumtominibeasts

10 months ago

We had a lovely visit today and with it being voluntary donations it was something to do that we'd may not have thought of. I was with my 17 and 8 year old and they both enjoyed different aspects of the museum. It's not going to take long to get round but it's definitely worth a visit if you can. The gentleman on the desk was lovely and welcoming

Reviews last updated: 7 October 2026