Brighton as it was - Brighton & Hove Museums

Print showing aerial view of Brighton looking towards the sea.

Peeps into the past through maps, prints and photographs of the city.

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Print showing aerial view of Brighton looking towards the sea.

Coloured map of Brighton

Map of Brighthelmston, 1779

Discover 18th century Brighton through this map.

Coloured map of Brighton

Picture showing oxen moving a mill

Oxen moving a mill

How the pulling power of 86 oxen transported a building across Brighton.

Picture showing oxen moving a mill

Print showing aerial view of Brighton looking towards the sea.

Bird's eye on Brighton, 1839

A view towards the sea.

Print showing aerial view of Brighton looking towards the sea.

VE Day proclamation, 1945

How the end of WW2 in Europe was announced to the people of Brighton.

Map showing French ships attacking Brighton

Brighton's earliest map

How French raiders inspired the first map of Brighton.

Map showing French ships attacking Brighton

Royal Zoological Gardens

A mythical mengarie?

Octagonal house, 1920s

A desirable residence?

Survey and plan of Brighthelmson, 1809

When Brighton had more than one 'Steyne'.

Etching of Brighton seafront showing the Hotel Metropole.

Hotel Metropole, 1890s

A moody depiction of Brighton seafront at dusk.

Etching of Brighton seafront showing the Hotel Metropole.

Print showing crowds gathered outside Brighton Town Hall

Election of members of parliament, 1841

19th century local democracy in Brighton Town Hall.

Print showing crowds gathered outside Brighton Town Hall

Photographic postcard showing large mock Tudor building.

Tudor Close Hotel

Not as old as it appeared, but this Rottingdean hotel attracted the rich and famous.

Photographic postcard showing large mock Tudor building.

Photographic copy of painting showing construction of a sea wall.

Building of the Madeira Road Wall, 1830s

Capturing the history of Brighton's sea defences.

Photographic copy of painting showing construction of a sea wall.