Ghost Walk of The Lanes

If you're looking for something different to do in Brighton that taps into the city's darker history, the Ghost Walk of The Lanes is probably the most established option. This is a walking tour focused on the oldest and reportedly most haunted part of the city. The walk was founded back in 2008 by actor and master storyteller Rob Marks, who often leads the tour himself, appearing as the eccentric character Silas the Ghost Walker. You might also see other narrators like Andrew Allen, Marielle Holman, 'Jasper', 'Ebenezer', 'Rosa', or 'Layton', all performing in full Victorian costume. Rob Marks is also the author behind the book 'The Ghosts of Brighton’s Lanes', which had a new extended edition published in 2023.

The tour itself covers eight different haunted locations in and around The Lanes. The stories are quite macabre, delving into tales of murder, apparitions, poltergeists, wandering nuns, and even Brighton’s historical connection to Jack the Ripper. The guides make sure to include touches of comic relief alongside the spooky narratives. The walk lasts between 70 and 80 minutes, depending on the night. If you want to join, the public walks run every week, specifically on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. They all start promptly at 7:30 p.m. (19:30), with the season generally running from February through December.

Getting started is straightforward: you don't need to book ahead for the public walks; you can just show up. The meeting point is outside The Druid’s Head pub on Brighton Place, which is right across from Donatello’s restaurant. Regarding costs, an adult ticket is £12.00. Concessions (students and under 16s) are £8.00, and seniors (65+) pay £10.00. They also offer a family ticket for £32.00 (covering 2 adults and 2 children). They accept both cash and card payments on the spot. It’s worth noting that the walk is generally considered family-friendly and is accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with disabilities. Plus, if you want to bring your dog, guide dogs and general dogs are welcome too. If you have a large group, private walks are also an option any day of the week for a flat rate of £200.00 (based on a minimum of 15 people).