AttractionLagoon

Hove Lagoon

Watersports, playgrounds and skating right on the seafront

9.3/10

Local score

No. 5 of 41 outdoor spots on r/brighton, from 43 locals across 46 threads.

83% would send a mate. Still recommended in 2026.

Popular for wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding lessons, plus a paddling pool, playground and new skatepark with a dedicated roller-skating area. Locals also rate it for open-water swimming ("water's relatively clear, doesn't get too overcrowded") and there's a well-regarded fishmonger, Fish, right by it.

Go for: Paddleboarding, wakeboarding or a family day out
Heads up: Keep dogs leashed near the beach huts

What locals say

…if don’t want to walk back. If into sports, try climbing at Boulder Brighton or Withdean Sports Centre. Lots of tennis courts are around too. St Ann’s Gardens have reasonable court booking fees without being members. And friends have recommended the padel courts in Hove. Hove Lagoon also has stand up paddle board classes which are quite fun. Take the train to Worthing or Lewes, both aren’t too far. We frequently visit for a change of scenery and to explore. There’s a cool old-school cinema in Worthing called Dome Cinema with reasonable prices. And an amazing independent restaurant…

u/Dry_Tax_3475, 202542 upvotes“Help! We've exhausted all the classic Brighton date nights and need some weird and wonderful inspiration for tomorrow!!!!”

Learn wakeboarding or stand up paddleboarding at Hove Lagoon Go ice skating at the pavilion or tour the pavilion inside Play beach volleyball (think summer only?) Do a the ghost walking tour of the lanes Go up the i360 Go walking on devils dyke, ditchling beacon, cisbury ring or head to seven sisters Play Footgolf in hangleton Visit the llama park in…

u/bramble007, 202134 upvotes“Thinks to do that aren't eating/drinking based”

Besides eating and drinking: Learn wakeboarding or stand up paddleboarding at Hove Lagoon Tour the pavilion inside Play retro videogames for free whilst having some drinks at a Gaming Retro-bution event (there is one tomorrow at The Sidewinder) Play one of the escape rooms Go Bouldering at Boulder Brighton Watch a film at the Duke of York’s cinema Footgolf in Hangleton Glow in the dark…

u/bramble007, 202214 upvotes“My boyfriend & I are visiting Brighton for the day tomorrow. What should we do?”

I'm sure there are some exposed sewage pipes near Hove Lagoon somewhere. I often catch a whiff there and it doesn't seem to be coming from the industrial units further along.

u/foomandoonian, 20181 upvotes“Where is the worst smelling place in Brighton ? Just walked past the bus stop by Morrisons on St James St and for some reason it smells so gross.”

Ranked from 21,200 r/brighton comments. Summaries are written by AI from what locals said; quotes are word for word. Not affiliated with Reddit. Back to the guide