5 things to do this bank holiday weekend

2020 has been a bastard of a year, so we reckon we really deserve a good bank holiday. Luckily, Brighton and Hove have answered our call for fun and there’s a lot of that going on…

Take a dip
The sea is the obvious choice here, not least because it’s currently a balmy 18C, but there are some other great local options, too. We’ve got two open-air pools just down the road – the beautiful Art Deco Saltdean Lido – heated! – and the lovely Pells Pool, the oldest freshwater public pool in the UK, over in historic Lewes. Look out for Saltdean’s doggy swims (19/20 September and 26/27 September) and Lewes’ midnight swims, too! To comply with the new government guidelines, you’ll need to book your session and pay online in advance at both and arrive with your cossie on under your clothes. Slots go fast, so if you fancy a bank holiday swim, get booking!
Saltdean Lido, The Oval Park, Saltdean Park Road, Saltdean, BN2 8SP
Open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday 7am to 7pm; season runs until 13th September; £8 for an adult swim (season tickets available)
saltdeanlido.com
Pells Pool, Brook Street, Lewes, BN7 2BA
Open daily, 7am to 7pm; season runs provisionally until the end of October; £3 for an adult swim
pellspool.org.uk

(Lobster) roll with it
We’re pretty excited about this one. THE snack of lockdown is back! Yep, Riddle and Finns are bringing their incredible lobster roll to Sea Lanes for a special bank holiday collaboration with Bison Beach Bar and Wood & Coal. Ridgeview’s selection of crisp bubblies will also be on sale – that’s got to be the perfect bank holiday treat. And wonder of wonders, the forecast is looking pretty dry for the whole weekend. And even if it does rain – come on, this is the UK, you know it will – there’s now a covered area to drink in those sea views with a beer or bubbly chaser. It’s one of our favourite places to let lazy days ease into evenings (especially when the dancing gets going!). The lobster roll of dreams is only available at Sea Lanes this bank holiday weekend, so you know what to do!
Top tip: If you want to be sure of a seat, book a table, and look out for Lois O’Hara’s new piece of art bringing some extra joy to the side of the new seating block.
Sea Lanes, 284 Madeira Drive, BN2 1EN; daily from midday
sealanesbrighton.co.uk

Go on a boot sale ramble
We’re loving these street sales that seem to have proliferated since the end of lockdown. With people selling goods outside their houses instead of out of a car boot, it’s a great way to meet your neighbours, get some pre-loved bargains (as well as new items from local businesses, veggies and lots of plants), and nosy around a new area. This weekend it’s the Boot Sale Ramble in the pretty village of Ovingdean. You’ll find details of all the 55 households taking part below. Need an extra incentive? All stallholders are donating a portion of their profits to local charities and artisan pizza geniuses Wild Flour Pizza are opening their ovens from midday to 3pm. There will also be coffee, crepes, cakes and fudge on sale and live music on the Green and on Longhill Road. Bring cash!
Top tip: Park at the village hall on Ovingdean Road for free.
Ovingdean Village Hall, Ovingdean Road, Ovingdean BN2 7BB; Saturday, 10am – 3pm
bootsalewalk.co.uk

Get some outdoor entertainment
We’re big film and theatre fans over here at BOTI and we love an open-air cultural experience. Luckily, there’s still time to enjoy the last weeks of White Wall Cinema’s Socially Distanced Cinema or watch a film at one of the local drive-ins. There are heaps of other outdoor options this summer, too, from theatre, music and comedy at the Brighton Open Air Theatre or The Warren Outdoor Season on the beach. If you want to get a bit more active, then check out Vibe Tribe‘s socially distanced outdoor dance party on Hove Lawns on Sunday (£8, including a glass of bubbly; midday).
Top tip: If you’re heading to BOAT or White Wall Cinema, do remember to bring something soft to sit on to avoid the dreaded numb bum. And if you’re Warren-bound, check out the outdoor Electric Arcade bar below Brighton Zip for a pre- or post-show tipple.

Drink and eat al fresco
Ok, we’re not basking in the temperatures we saw a few weeks ago, but if it’s not raining, you’ll find us outside (sometimes even if it is raining). We’ve already waxed lyrical about Sea Lanes above, but there are heaps of options with outside seating in the city now – the view at the new beachside Rockwater Hove (over in, shocker, Hove) is hard to beat (pictured) and there’s a great variety of food and drink options from the Shacks by the Shore there. If you’re over Brighton way, get a take-out drink from Concorde2 – just £3 all bank holiday weekend (11am – late) and order a fantastically comprehensive Pitbox BBQ kit for delivery right to your spot on the beach. Bank holiday sorted. You’ll find more of our favourite outdoor terraces and rooftops here.
Top tip: If you want to make sure you get a seat, we’d definitely recommend booking. For a quieter spot on the beach, head east of Sea Lanes in Brighton and west of Rockwater in Hove.

Image credits: Simon Carey (Ovingdean)