Design & Lo’s Favourite Hidden Gems in Hove

The Design & Lo guide to visiting Hove, East Sussex.

Here at Design & Lo we thought we would share our favourite hidden hot spots in Hove, bustling Brighton’s little sister.

Home of our design studio after relocating from London back in 2021. Although we relocated the studio to Hove from London in 2021, we visited the area lots prior to moving, always drawn to the seaside and countryside. As Brighton and Hove is literally a hop and skip away from the big smoke it was easy to visit regularly for a change of scene. The trains from London Victoria or London Bridge are very easy and direct and if you haven’t already visited then I highly recommend you plan a trip very soon, especially as summer is around the corner. A day trip from the city is super easy but if you can come for the weekend then do so, just being by the sea in any weather is wonderful. There are many quirky bed and breakfasts or boutique hotels; our personal fave is the Artist’s Residence based in a grand regency townhouse in the historic Regency Square. We recommend the balcony rooms with the sea view over the West Pier and the ‘Doughnut’.

Brighton and Hove both have a great buzz, bursting with a super creative vibe and has a real sense of community, everyone is very welcoming and friendly! Hove has always been known as the quieter sister of buzzy Brighton but don’t let that put you off, there are some excellent places to visit, shopping, and venues to eat and drink. Hove is the trendy yet quirkier side of town leaving you spoilt for choice really. We think Hove is a special place and there are endless places to a grab a bite or a cocktail. I have listed my favourite spots to help plan your itinerary when visiting the area, so I hope this helps! 

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Before making the trip to Hove we recommend you make contact ahead to any of our suggested locations as sometimes opening times alter or places may be closed for private events or appointments. 

If you wander along Western Road away from central Brighton you transition into Hove, filled with a mix of eclectic shops, bars and restaurants. We love wandering around the tiny backstreets of Hove and meandering down to the seafront, grabbing a coffee and pastry on the way. 

Part 1: Independent Shopping

Muse Lifestyle

If you are looking for that one off ‘on trend’ casual piece of women’s clothing we suggest trying Muse Lifestyle found on Western Road in Hove. The staff are super friendly and will help pull out pieces to suit you or help you find that special item for that upcoming event. They have limited stock of items/sizes and stock rotates quickly so I suggest if you see something you love buy it there and then. The shop is part of a small chain of women’s independent clothing boutiques with it’s 4^th opening here in Hove. Apart from being able to shop local, what I also love about this shop is they sell a wide and eclectic range of Danish and European clothing. Hopefully you can grab that one off piece!

Design & Lo favourite: Italian-made Metallic Bumbags

Florian

Florian, also located on the Western Road is probably one of the most beautiful shops in Hove, I love escaping here and wandering around the jungle of seasonal flowers and plants. They also have an array of vintage furniture and treasures, many French pieces hidden out in the back room, you can definitely lose yourself in here for a while at weekends. It’s also that perfect place if you are looking for a gift for a loved one. I recommend purchasing one of their ‘Regency Collection’ candles inspired by the local architecture of Brunswick Terrace and made from soy wax.

Design & Lo favourite: Easy to care for plants, seasonal blooms and vintage treasures

Loaft

Loaft, independent interiors and lifestyle store is also located just off the Western Road near Brunswick Square. Perfectly positioned next door to one of my favourite coffee shops; Wolfox Coffee, where you are treated to an elevated seaview from one of the cosy window spots. The shop offers a wide range of artisan crockery, organic cosmetics and skin care, candles, gifts and designer lighting and lamps. They often have a sumptuous dining table set up in the window with beautiful Scandi inspired furniture and minimalist accessories. If you want to be inspired to create a laid-back home vibe then I suggest a visit here. I particularly love their hand-woven textured ceiling pendants, each one unique in style.

Design & Lo favourite: Scandi inspired furniture, lighting and beautiful storage containers to elevate your kitchen

Brass Monkeys

Brass Monkeys Jewellery based on the Portland Road in Hove is a treasure trove of stunning handmade jewellery all made by British contemporary artists. The store displays items made by over 40 UK artists and creators. As a huge advocate for British handmade items, I think this place is a real gem of a shop. You will find rings, necklaces, bracelets and cufflinks and earrings and they even work on commissions. The interior of the shop is very welcoming with vintage display cabinets and warm interior finishes, providing a lovely atmosphere for browsing at leisure.

Design & Lo favourite: British designed and handmade one-off pieces. We love the coastal inspired signet rings

Wick

Another stop along Portland Road in Hove, you will find Wick Candle Boutique. Do you love filling your home with candles as much as I do? They call themselves the ‘scent boutique’ specialising in everything that smells incredible from candles to diffusers and everything in-between. It’s the aroma that hits you as soon as you enter the shop, the candles are sourced from all over the world so it’s easy to find something a little unique. It’s definitely a feel good shop where you can spend hours sniffing all the testers on offer.

Design & Lo favourite: Bella Freud candle collection – sexy and quirky candles by the iconic designer in keepsake vessels, my go to is Fairytale of New York

Sutherland and Sadler

Sutherland and Sadler is another independent shop you must make a visit to on your journey down Portland Road in Hove. The family run business selling exclusive hand-picked goodies from gifts, furniture, clothing to homewares. Keep an eye out as the stock is always evolving with new one-off items and perfectly curated selection of clothing to suit all seasons.

Design & Lo favourite: Handmade leather coin purses by local Hove based accessories maker and cosy classic knitwear by British designers and makers. We love to support British craft.

Part 2: Coffee & Sweet Treats

I will write a blog specifically about coffee in Brighton & Hove and it’s one of my favourite things and quite frankly I couldn’t survive the day without it. According to ‘Time Out Magazine’ it recently suggested that the residents of this seaside town spend more per head on coffee that anywhere in the UK!

Flat Out

Flat Out coffee house based on Church Road in Hove has a laid back vibe mixed with a rebellious biker chic atmosphere. A perfect combination of great coffee (most importantly), funky music and friendly staff. Situated in a historic building oozing with character, high ceilings, tall windows and traditional coving, it’s a lovely place to just sit and take in the traditional architecture of historic Hove. If you are lucky enough to nab one of the cosy two seater high stools in of the two bay windows, it’s a perfect place to people watch and while away the afternoon. Also, if bikes are your thing as well as coffee then not only do they sell clothing geared to bikers but once monthly they hold a ‘Bike Night’ where you can dust off your wheels and meet other like-minded riders.

Design & Lo favourite: Visit in the morning on a sunny day, light fills the shop or you may prefer to sit outside on the south-facing terrace. This coffee shop is a gem come rain or shine

Flour Pot Bakery

A couple of locations to choose from here in either Brighton or Hove, however our favourite spot is to perch for coffee on the outdoor stools of the Seven Dials, Hove spot. Flour Pot Bakery is known for it’s artisan baked goods made by passionate people in the city. Yummy baked pastries, sourdough bread and sandwiches are made by artisans and coffee responsibly sourced and roasted in Brighton too. We like the easy-going Nordic inspired setting of copper, marble and wood with monochrome accents. Make sure you also try the hand-made jammy dodgers with your coffee!

Design & Lo favourite: Look out for ‘Donut Friday’. Unique flavours up for grabs each week, get there early because once they’re gone they’re gone!

Maroccos

After a breezy walk along Hove esplanade, a pit-stop location which should be top of your list is the famous, rustic Italian establishment which goes by the name of Maroccos. The family run gelateria opened in 1969 and has been a city favourite since. Usually there is a super long queue for the kiosk but it’s well worth the wait. Still hand-made on the premises since it opened, there are normally 24 different flavours to choose from. It’s a place to visit come rain or shine, so let’s face it, ice cream in any weather puts a smile on your face. Maroccos also has indoor seating and serves Italian seafood cuisine in a rustic environment.

Design & Lo favourite: Its vintage appeal and the chocolate ice cream is the go to with added sprinkles. Look out for special flavours, maybe the answer is to have several scoops with the waffle cone