The History of Brighton Lanes
Brighton Lanes are the historical heart of Brighton dating back to the 18th century when Brighthelmstone was just a small fishing village and is full of 'olde worlde' character, oft heard being described by passing visitors as like 'Diagon Alley'.
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Having been built mostly during the late 1790's the buildings have in their time been home to many small businesses and families, the ground floors being the shops and upstairs the living quarters. The houses in this area of the town are close together and the streets narrow and winding and one can imagine how bustling and busy this area must have been with many inhabitants to each house! Each house was home to a different business; cutlers, stationers, violin master, hair cutter, fancy cagemaker (!) milliner, corkcutter, shoemaker, clothier and so on...each eking out a living cheek by jowl with their neighbours.
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In more recent times, the Lanes have been a destination for antique and secondhand dealers and shopping since around 1900. Nowadays The Brighton Lanes boasts the largest number of independent, secondhand and antique jewellery shops anywhere in the UK outside of London; 45 at the last count!
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Read further about the history of Brighton Lanes here.... and the story of a single shop in Brighton Lanes here.