Old Steine Gardens

Old Steine Gardens is a compact city-centre park in Brighton, East Sussex, running along the Old Steine, the broad thoroughfare that links the seafront with the heart of the town. It is small, but it holds several monuments of national historic significance, which makes it one of the best open-air history stops in Brighton.

What is Old Steine Gardens?

The gardens are a strip of lawns, paths and flower beds beside the busy road. North Street cuts across them, so visitors effectively find two separate enclosures, each with its own set of memorials. Locals use it as a shortcut and a place for a quick sit-down; visitors tend to come for the sculpture and commemorative architecture.

What can you see in the southern part?

The southern enclosure is roughly square and is dominated by the Victoria Fountain, unveiled in 1846 and linked to the twenty-seventh birthday of Queen Victoria. It is a decorative Victorian fountain with sculpted dolphins, and it is the most photographed feature of the gardens. Nearby stands the statue of Sir John Cordy Burrows, a figure from Brighton's civic life, unveiled in 1878 and made by the sculptor Edward Bowring Stephens. Burrows is also remembered as a supporter of the fountain's creation.

What is in the northern part?

The northern enclosure is given over to remembrance. The Brighton War Memorial was unveiled on 7 October 1922 by Earl Beatty. Its architect, Sir John Simpson, designed it in the form of a Roman water garden, with a long ornamental layout rather than a single column. Close by is the Egyptian Campaign Memorial, a plain obelisk erected in 1888. It lists officers and men of the Royal Sussex Regiment who died in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882 and the Nile River Expedition of 1884-85, and it is now a listed monument.

Why is the location historically interesting?

The name "Steine" is the old local word for the open ground at the centre of the early town, and the gardens sit on that historic space. The memorials span from the mid-19th century to the early 20th, so a short walk shows how Brighton chose to honour its monarch, its civic leaders and its fallen soldiers over several decades.

How to visit

• Where: along the Old Steine in central Brighton, a short walk from the seafront and the Royal Pavilion.
• Entry: the gardens are an open public space, with no ticket needed.
• Time needed: 20 to 30 minutes is enough to see all the monuments; longer if you read the inscriptions.
• Best for: history fans, photographers, and anyone looking for a quiet pause between the Pavilion and the beach.

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Steine Gardens free to visit? Yes. It is a public park and can be entered at any time of day without payment.

What is the main monument? The Victoria Fountain is the best-known feature, while the Brighton War Memorial is the most significant memorial of the 20th century.

Is it close to other attractions? Yes. The Royal Pavilion, the seafront and the Lanes are all within a few minutes on foot.

How long should I plan? Around half an hour is enough for the monuments and a short rest on a bench.

Is it suitable for families? Yes. The paths are flat and open, and the fountain and lawns are easy for children to enjoy.