Brighton Fishing Museum
Welcome to Brighton Fishing Museum. Uncover the history and heritage of Brighton’s fishing industry through a wealth of photographs, remarkable artefacts and restored traditional Sussex clinker fishing boats.
The Museum
The museum is situated in the Fishing Quarter, the heart of Brighton seafront, where Brighton’s fishing industry is very much active today. Locally caught fish and shellfish arrives off our fishermens’ boats every day for you to snap up. Or come and try our smoked fish from our traditional smoke house, situated right in the Quarter.
The Quarter
The Quarter also supports local artists and photographers. The Fishing Quarter Gallery showcases work from 14 different artists a year, while over at the museum shop you can browse and buy some wonderful images of Brighton seafront from our resident photographer.
Fish
Brighton Fishing Museum traces the unique story of the fishing community in Brighton, captured in a wealth of film, photography, paintings and memorabilia of Brighton seafront life. Let us guide you through the Brighthelmstone of the 1700s, when patients were first prescribed the seawater at Brighton for its medicinal benefits. You’ll discover how Brighton soon developed into a fashionable resort town, a retreat for the rich, following the patronage of the Prince Regent – all with mixed reception from Brighton’s fishing community at the time.
By the mid 1800s, with the arrival of the railway, Brighton had become a haven for daytrippers. Discover how many of the fishermen began scrubbing down their punts each day after fishing and turn them into pleasure boats. Fishermen became boatmen, showmen of the
sea and the water a funfair. With the arrival of the piers, you’ll see how Brighton became the town we know today. Brighton Fishing Museum offers a truly intriguing look at the history of this famous town and it’s community.
You’ll find hundreds of pictures and artefacts and if that wasn’t enough, we’ve managed to squeeze in a 27 foot clinker built punt boat – the traditional Sussex fishing boat – as the museum’s centrepiece.
Now on at Brighton Fishing Museum is an extraordinary exhibition which tells the story of the West Pier. Packed with memorabilia, signage and actual pieces of the now deteriorating old pier, the display presents a unique look at the story of this famous, historical Brighton landmark.
Visiting We’re on the Beach below the Old Ship and Ramada Hotels between the Piers. We’re open seven days a week so we hope to see you soon. The map below shows our position on the seafront, as marked by the red pointer. Parking Local parking only Public Transport Nearest Bus Service: Pool Valley - 5 mins walk Nearest Railway Station: Brighton - 15 mins walk Accessibility Fully Accessible Vehicles only have access for loading and unloading between 6 and 11 in the morning.