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Area guidesCentral Brighton

Central Brighton

BN1 · BN2 · Brighton and Hove

Maintained area report

Read another area

Brighton seafront from the pier. Photograph by Harrz.

Central Brighton offers a vibrant urban lifestyle in a seaside setting, with a mix of Victorian architecture and modern amenities. The area is known for its lively atmosphere and diverse range of activities.

What stands out

  • Lively nightlife and entertainment
  • Victorian architecture and historic landmarks
  • Seaside location and coastal views

Trade-offs

  • Busy and crowded at times
  • Varied housing stock but often compact
  • Plenty of amenities but can be touristy

What is already known about Central Brighton

Live geography from the official record. A district or place name is a group of postcodes, not one address.

Live postcodes
1,579 in BN1
Localities
Brunswick, Adelaide, Coldean, Stanmer
Local authority
Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Mid Sussex
Country
England
Centre postcode
BN1 6FG
Postcode-point mapCentral Brighton

The pin uses Postcodes.io coordinates, not an exact entrance or title boundary.

Open map

Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Districts next to BN1

Found in the same 2.8 km sample around the centre of BN1, from 225 live postcodes. Proximity, not a boundary.

Official records around this point

Point sources need one coordinate, so these are anchored on BN1 6FG — the live postcode nearest the centre of the area. They describe that point, not every street. Crime is counted across the whole Preston Park policing neighbourhood, which is the Police.uk boundary containing BN1 6FG — a named area can span several of them, so this is the one covering the centre of Central Brighton, not all of it. Each keeps its source, its geography and its limits. Counts are counts: an incident total is not a safety measure, and an empty planning result is not a completed search.

Police.uk · Preston Park neighbourhood

Recorded incidents

Connected
64records in
July 2026
Anti-social behaviour15
Violence & sexual offences15
Other theft10
Vehicle crime6
Drugs3
Other crime3

One month of records for the Preston Park policing neighbourhood — the boundary police.uk itself shows, so this figure should match theirs. Not a year. Locations are anonymised to a nearby street, not an address. Counts are not adjusted for population, visitors or reporting differences and must not be treated as a neighbourhood quality score.

List the 64 records
CategoryRecorded nearLatest outcome
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Argyle RoadNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Ashford RoadNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Dyke RoadNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Dyke Road DriveNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Grange CloseNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Hollingbury TerraceNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Parking AreaNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Parkmore TerraceNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Parkmore TerraceNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Port Hall RoadNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Preston Park AvenueNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Preston RoadNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Preston RoadNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near Rookery CloseNo outcome published yet
Anti-social behaviourOn or near St Andrews CloseNo outcome published yet
Bicycle theftOn or near Dyke Road DriveInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Bicycle theftOn or near Dyke Road DriveInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Criminal damage & arsonOn or near Parkmore TerraceUnder investigation
Criminal damage & arsonOn or near Stafford RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
DrugsOn or near Stafford RoadUnder investigation
DrugsOn or near Stafford RoadUnder investigation
DrugsOn or near York GroveUnder investigation
Other crimeOn or near Exeter StreetUnder investigation
Other crimeOn or near Exeter StreetUnder investigation
Other crimeOn or near Sandgate RoadLocal resolution
Other theftOn or near Beaconsfield VillasInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Campbell RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Campbell RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Conference/exhibition CentreInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Highcroft VillasInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Hollingbury TerraceInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Hythe RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Old Shoreham RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Rookery CloseInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Other theftOn or near Stanford AvenueInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Public orderOn or near Dyke Road DriveInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Public orderOn or near Preston RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Public orderOn or near Stanford AvenueInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
RobberyOn or near Dyke RoadUnder investigation
RobberyOn or near Dyke Road DriveUnder investigation
ShopliftingOn or near Springfield RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
ShopliftingOn or near SupermarketUnder investigation
Theft from the personOn or near Chatsworth RoadUnable to prosecute suspect
Vehicle crimeOn or near Conference/exhibition CentreInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Vehicle crimeOn or near Dover RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Vehicle crimeOn or near Dyke Road DriveUnable to prosecute suspect
Vehicle crimeOn or near Lowther RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Vehicle crimeOn or near Lucerne RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Vehicle crimeOn or near Preston Park AvenueInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Beacon CloseUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Campbell RoadInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Chatsworth RoadUnable to prosecute suspect
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Dyke Road DriveUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Exeter StreetUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Highcroft VillasUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Highcroft VillasUnable to prosecute suspect
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Parkmore TerraceUnable to prosecute suspect
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Parkmore TerraceUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Preston DroveUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Southdown AvenueInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Southdown AvenueUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Springfield RoadUnder investigation
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near Stanford AvenueInvestigation complete; no suspect identified
Violence & sexual offencesOn or near SupermarketAwaiting court outcome
Preston Park on the force site

Planning Data · England

Intersecting designations

Connected
Conservation area

Preston Park2075 · from 24 September 1970

Screened at the postcode point, not a title boundary. Coverage varies by dataset and local planning authority; absence is not a clear result.

About Planning Data

Nearby planning applications

London only

Application-level planning data comes from the Planning London Datahub, which covers the 35 London planning authorities. No other authority publishes an equivalent feed, so nothing has been substituted.

Daily essentials

Supermarkets, pharmacies, healthcare, gyms and libraries mapped near BN1 6FG, ordered by straight-line distance. OpenStreetMap is contributed data: a place missing here is not proof it does not exist, and nothing here confirms opening hours or that a business is still trading.

25everyday places mapped within 1.2 km of the postcode point

Food shopping

8

Supermarkets and convenience stores.

  1. 290 mCo-op Food269, Preston DroveMap ↗
  2. 325 mFiveways Convenience Store302, Ditchling RoadMap ↗
  3. 548 mBest Deal Convenience Store178C, Ditchling RoadMap ↗
  4. 592 mMulberrys14, Hollingbury PlaceMap ↗
  5. 885 mViola Convenience Store38, Preston RoadMap ↗
  6. 989 mCrestway Convenience Store1, The CrestwayMap ↗
  7. 1.0 kmPamir Grocery2A, Preston RoadMap ↗
  8. 1.1 kmSainsbury's93, Lewes RoadMap ↗

Health

8

Pharmacies, GP surgeries and dentists.

  1. 259 mThe Haven Practice100, Beaconsfield VillasMap ↗
  2. 331 mBupa Dental Care288, Ditchling RoadMap ↗
  3. 341 mKamsons Pharmacy94, Preston DroveMap ↗
  4. 586 mHarpers Pharmacy12, Hollingbury PlaceMap ↗
  5. 601 mPreston Park Surgery2A, Florence RoadMap ↗
  6. 633 mKamson's Pharmacy88-90, Beaconsfield RoadMap ↗
  7. 863 mThe Dental Practice UKDyke Road Drive, Round HillMap ↗
  8. 876 mPreston Park Dental ClinicGrange Close, Round HillMap ↗

Exercise

1

Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools.

  1. 661 mSurrenden Swimming PoolStringer Way, WithdeanMap ↗

Civic and everyday

8

Libraries, post offices and community buildings.

  1. 259 mHollingbury Post Office148, Preston DroveMap ↗
  2. 299 mMethodist Church HallStanford Avenue, HollingdeanMap ↗
  3. 553 mSt Augustine's Arts and Events CentreStanford Avenue, HollingdeanMap ↗
  4. 579 mBlakes7, Hollingbury PlaceMap ↗
  5. 804 mKnoyle HallKnoyle Road, WithdeanMap ↗
  6. 969 mHollingdean SureStart CentreBrentwood Road, HollingdeanMap ↗
  7. 1.0 kmHollingdean Community CentreLiphook Close, HollingdeanMap ↗
  8. 1.1 kmExeter Street Hall16-17, Exeter StreetMap ↗

Places mapped in OpenStreetMap within this distance of the postcode point, measured straight-line, and kept only where the map tags them as the kind of place the heading claims. OpenStreetMap is volunteer-maintained and this search returns the closest matches rather than every one: a short list is not proof that nothing else is there. Distances are not walking routes, and nothing here checks opening hours, whether a surgery is accepting patients, or whether a place is still trading.

Parks and green space

Parks, playgrounds, nature and outdoor sport mapped within 1.5 km of BN1 6FG, ordered by straight-line distance. Distance is not a walking route, and OpenStreetMap says nothing about whether a space is open to the public, its hours or its condition.

25open spaces mapped within 1.5 km of the postcode point

Parks and commons

8

Named parks, commons and village greens open to the public.

  1. 73 mBlakers ParkRound Hill, BrightonMap ↗
  2. 648 mPreston ParkPreston, Brighton and HoveMap ↗
  3. 973 mHollingbury ParkHollingbury, BrightonMap ↗
  4. 1.1 kmSaunders ParkHollingdean, BrightonMap ↗
  5. 1.3 kmDyke Road ParkBrunswick, Portslade by SeaMap ↗
  6. 1.3 kmPark Crescent ParkRound Hill, BrightonMap ↗
  7. 1.4 kmSurrenden FieldWithdean, Portslade by SeaMap ↗
  8. 1.4 kmProvidence Place GardensRound Hill, BrightonMap ↗

Playgrounds

2

Children’s play areas mapped as such.

  1. 589 mPreston Park PlaygroundThe Ride, Round HillMap ↗
  2. 1.3 kmDyke Road Park PlaygroundDyke Road, BrunswickMap ↗

Nature and water

8

Nature reserves, woodland and waterside.

  1. 756 mLiz Williams Butterfly HavenWithdean, BrightonMap ↗
  2. 763 mDorothy Stringer Nature ReserveWithdean, BrightonMap ↗
  3. 942 mHollingbury WoodsHollingbury, BrightonMap ↗
  4. 995 mSealed spoil heapWithdean, BrightonMap ↗
  5. 1.1 kmBurstead woodsHollingdean, BrightonMap ↗
  6. 1.1 kmButterfly reserveWithdean, BrightonMap ↗
  7. 1.3 kmGreenwayRound Hill, BrightonMap ↗
  8. 1.3 kmVienna WoodRound Hill, BrightonMap ↗

Outdoor sport

7

Recreation grounds, pitches and courts.

  1. 562 mSt Peter's Cricket ClubRound Hill, BrightonMap ↗
  2. 679 mCourt 2Front Road, PrestonMap ↗
  3. 706 mCourt 1Hollingbury Wood path, HollingdeanMap ↗
  4. 877 mVarndean College PitchStringer Way, WithdeanMap ↗
  5. 1.3 kmLong JumpThe Upper Drive, BrunswickMap ↗
  6. 1.4 kmTop FieldBrunswick, Portslade by SeaMap ↗
  7. 1.4 kmBHASVIC fieldBrunswick, Portslade by SeaMap ↗

Places mapped in OpenStreetMap within this distance of the postcode point, measured straight-line, and kept only where the map tags them as the kind of place the heading claims. OpenStreetMap is volunteer-maintained and this search returns the closest matches rather than every one: a short list is not proof that nothing else is there. Distances are not walking routes, and nothing here checks opening hours, whether a surgery is accepting patients, or whether a place is still trading.

Postcode districtsBN1, BN2outcode-proxy-v1 · Greathome editorial boundary proxy
Local authorityBrighton and HoveCurrent · ONS Postcode Directory via Postcodes.io

Everyday life

Central Brighton provides easy access to shops, cafes, and restaurants, with a range of independent and chain outlets. Residents can enjoy the seafront, parks, and cultural attractions. However, the area can get busy, especially during peak tourist season.

Housing character

The area features a mix of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, as well as modern apartments and developments. Housing stock ranges from compact flats to larger period homes, often with some original features. However, space can be limited, and some properties may require renovation.

Getting around

Central Brighton has good public transport links, with a mainline station and regular bus services. The area is also relatively flat and walkable, with bike-friendly roads. However, traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hour.

Things to investigate

Potential residents may want to explore the local community and amenities, such as parks like Queen's Park and Regency Square, and cultural attractions like the Theatre Royal. They may also want to research local services, including healthcare and education providers, and consider factors like noise levels and proximity to main roads like Western Road.

Schools

Measured by distance from the area centre, straight line. Primary is a walk and secondary is a journey, so they are counted on different radii. Ofsted's published judgements, not a Greathome rating.

Primarystate-funded, within 2 km

11 schools

Judged by Ofsted
9
At least Good
9
Outstanding or equivalent
0
Below Good
0

Secondarystate-funded, within 5 km

7 schools

Judged by Ofsted
7
At least Good
7
Outstanding or equivalent
0
Below Good
0

22 open schools of every phase sit within 2 km, 4 of them independent. Independent schools carry no Ofsted judgement in this release, so they appear in the total and never in the judged figures. Nothing here establishes catchment, admissions eligibility or available places.

The nearest 6 schools, with their published judgement
SchoolPhaseDistancePublished judgement
Downs Junior SchoolPrimary0.5 kmGood · Overall effectiveness, pre-September 2024
Balfour Primary SchoolPrimary0.6 kmGood · Overall effectiveness, pre-September 2024
Downs Infant SchoolPrimary0.7 kmNot judged · Graded inspection, no overall grade
Dorothy Stringer SchoolSecondary0.8 kmGood · Overall effectiveness, pre-September 2024
Varndean SchoolSecondary0.9 kmGood · Overall effectiveness, pre-September 2024
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary0.9 kmExpected standard · Report card, curriculum and teaching

Open Schools & Education

Housing market context

£407,803average house price across Brighton and Hove, June 2026

A year earlier the same measure was £406,616, a change of +0.3%.

Average price across the whole local authority for one month, from the ONS series built on HM Land Registry UK House Price Index data. It is not a neighbourhood median and not a valuation of any property. Two guides in the same borough share this figure while their streets differ. House-price data is revised, and recent months are the most likely to move.

Source: Average house price by local authority, Office for National Statistics, from HM Land Registry UK House Price Index.

What this report does not cover

  • neighbourhood median sale price (not_available): Only a local-authority average is connected, from ONS. A neighbourhood median needs enough geocoded transactions inside the guide boundary, which the per-postcode HMLR queries cannot supply.
  • rents (not_available): No rent series is connected. Advertised rents and official all-tenancy measures are different things and neither is available here yet.
  • journey times (not_available): No journey planner is connected. Transport is measured as nearby stops, not as time to anywhere. TfL PTAL and journey-time APIs would replace it for London.
  • school admissions history (not_available): Admission arrangements are held by each admission authority and are not in the GIAS or Ofsted snapshots.
  • licensed premises and venues (not_available): No licensing register or venue dataset is connected. Food-hygiene categories are not a pub register.
  • image rights (not_yet_verified): No licensed image library is connected. Return an image brief rather than an asset.
  • approved boundary polygon (not_yet_verified): Boundaries are postcode-district proxies. Counts describe the districts named, not a town-centre polygon.

Boundary

Central Brighton, taken as the BN1 and BN2 postcode districts. BN1 also reaches into Lewes and Mid Sussex, so authority-level figures must name the authority they describe. These are postcode districts standing in for an approved polygon. Present every count as "in these postcode districts", never as a neighbourhood or town-centre figure.

Sources

Evidence checked 2026-09-11. Last content change 2026-09-10. Next review 2026-09-18.

Look this place up in detail

Each of these opens on BN1 6FG, the postcode anchoring Central Brighton, and queries its own source only when you open it.