Summer is finally here and people are already flocking to the beach.

Our beaches will hopefully be full of people safely enjoying the sun, sea, and sand but they also need to be aware of current restrictions and rules.

Here are the rules currently in force on Brighton beach and other nearby beaches. 

Litter and recycling

As of June 2019, Brighton & Hove City Council has installed 300 new recycling bins along the seafront.

The bins have three separate sections in different colours to help people recycle easier.

They have blue for plastic bottles and cans and maroon for glass.

The third section will be black for ordinary rubbish.

The Argus: A busy Brighton beach in the summerA busy Brighton beach in the summer

Although the bins can take plastic bottles, empty cans, glass or rubbish, they should not be used for BBQ materials as these can create a fire hazard.

There are special barbecue bins along the seafront near the sections of the beach where barbecuing is allowed.

Cycling on the seafront

You cannot cycle along the promenade. Equally, if walking do not go into or block the cycle path.

Cycle lanes are provided along the seafront and are clearly marked.

Dogs on the beach

Taking your dog to the seafront

Dogs are permitted on all beaches in Brighton & Hove from 1 October to 30 April. The rest of the year, dogs are only permitted on beaches listed as dog-friendly beaches.

When you take your dog onto the beach they must be supervised and under control at all times and any fouling must be cleared immediately.

Dogs must be on a lead at all times while on the promenade.

Please be aware of the changing conditions on the beach and keep your dog safe and away from the waters edge when the sea is rough.

Dog-friendly beaches

From 1 May to 30 September dogs are only permitted on some beaches. Where possible, we have a sign on each entrance to the beaches that states whether dogs are allowed or not.

Our online map shows the locations and the seafront office has leaflets.

If you have any further enquiries please contact the Seafront Office or speak to a lifeguard.

Barbecues on the beach

In Brighton & Hove you may use barbecues on the beach after 6pm except for in the areas listed below...

You may not barbecue:

  • between the two piers in Brighton
  • between Hove Street and Fourth Avenue (this is the area between the end of Hove Lawns and King Alfred Leisure Centre car park)
  • on Hove Lawns or its surrounding areas such as behind the beach huts
  • on the promenade or its surrounding walls

Bathing and boating bylaws

Bathing

The bathing Bylaws cover the seafront from Hove Lagoon to Saltdean.

The bylaws create 10 bathing areas from May to September inclusive every year. These bathing beaches are at:

  • Braemore Road 
  • King Alfred
  • Second Avenue
  • West Pier
  • West Street
  • Palace Pier
  • Kemptown Slopes
  • Ovingdean
  • Rottingdean
  • Saltdean

Lifeguards

When lifeguards are on duty on the bathing beaches a system of red and yellow flags are flown to show where you can swim. It is always a good idea to speak with the lifeguard and ask about local sea conditions.

Boating

Vessels propelled either by motor or sail are not permitted to enter these bathing areas during May to September inclusive. Vessels powered by sail may use the waters everywhere else along the 11km of seafront.

From May to September motorised craft can only come with 200 metres of the beach at designated areas. These are at: 

  • Hove Lagoon 
  • Westbourne Villas 
  • Adelaide Crescent
  • Ship Street 
  • Royal Crescent 
  • Lewes Crescent

At all times of the year, motorised craft may not exceed a speed of 5 nautical miles per hour within 200 metres of the shoreline, and must not exceed 10 nautical miles per hour within 400 metres of the shoreline.

Between October and April inclusive, there are no designated bathing areas. Vessels powered by sail or motor may use all of the beaches provided that the motorised craft keep within the speed limit.