With Brighton Artists Open Houses in full swing and heading in to our second weekend, I thought it might be handy to share a few pearls of wisdom gathered from years of flinging open the doors and visiting a fair few venues myself to help you make the most of your adventure. Before you get into the top tips, if you can't make my Open House, you can have a look at my work in my online shop by clicking here.
1. Plan Your Route
Step one: get your hands on a copy of the Artists Open Houses brochure. They're dotted all over the city: cafés, libraries, train stations. You’ll know it when you see it: the cover features an utterly brilliant knitted fish and chips by Kate Jenkins.
Or if you’re not local (or you’d rather go digital), the full brochure is online, complete with downloadable maps and artist info:
https://aoh.org.uk/may2025/brochure
My own open house details are here:
www.fayebridgwater.com/new-events/2025/5/3/artists-open-houses-2025
And I’m on Google Maps here:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ffnEKFmBbDdBoJD46
2. Check (and check again)
Each venue is independently run, and we all have our quirks including different opening hours. I know, it’s a bit of a faff, but double-check the days and times. Jot things down, scribble on the brochure. It saves you turning up somewhere closed and shouting “WHY?!” into a hedge. Check the little red boxes on the calendar for each listing.
Good news though: I’m open every weekend from 10am–5pm. No hedge-shouting needed.
3. Parking: Be the person who doesn’t get a ticket
Brighton is beautiful, arty and patrolled by traffic wardens with the stealth of ninjas. Fear not! There’s usually parking opposite my house and you can pay via app or phone. Just don’t chance it. Nobody wants to end their art day with a fine and a bad mood.
Hot tip: If you’re doing the Hanover & Queen’s Park Trail, start at Debbie Lawrence’s house: free parking and a great house to start your art adventure.
4. No car? No problem. Buses are brilliant.
Brighton’s bus system is fab. Use Google Maps or the Brighton Buses app for real-time info: www.buses.co.uk/app
From the station, hop on the Number 18. It’ll practically drop you at my door. The 2 and 21 also get very close.
Feeling fit? It’s about a 25-minute walk from the station to mine… but it’s a big hill. Might be nicer to walk back down.
Taxis are at the back of the station and will get you here in 7–10 minutes.
Tip-within-a-tip: If you’re on the top deck of the bus, look out for JJ Waller’s and Martin Parr’s exhibition, it’s all displayed on the tops of bus shelters. Full info here: www.buses.co.uk/Beside-The-Sea
5. Dogs welcome!
We had some absolute furry legends visit last weekend: waggy tails, polite sniffs, and big smiles. Dogs are very welcome in my home and there’s a brilliant dog-walking park just two minutes away in Queen’s Park.
6. Children welcome too (and entertained!)
Got a small person or two? Bring them along! I’ve set up a drawing table (with Sketch Squares), for them: but adults can of course have a go too!. They can create their own masterpieces while you browse. They’re usually fascinated by how messy my studio is (me too, to be honest).
7. Food, Glorious Food
Never look at art on an empty tummy.
Luckily, Starfish and Coffee (just around the corner) does an award-winning brunch. It gets busy at weekends, so I recommend booking:
https://starfishandcoffee.cafe
Later on? The Tennis Pavilion (also on the trail) has excellent cake. Or treat yourself to afternoon tea at The Secret Garden on the Kemptown trail. It’s a treat.
This side of town is spoiled for cafés: Portland Coffee, Egg & Spoon, Café Rust, Marmalade, Reading Rooms. All delicious. If you’re after something stronger:
The Independent Pub: great beer apparently (I like a Shimmy cider!)
Bison Beer at Sea Lanes for that perfect sea view
Spiegel Gardens - just opened for the Fringe Festival and full of energy when I popped in.
8. Card or Cash? Both! (Unless I forget the float… again)
Most venues take card, I do (even for £3.50 greetings cards!).
I forgot the float last weekend (whoops) but I promise to sort that out this week, carrying a bit of cash isn’t a bad idea, just in case the card machine decides to play up.
9. Join the mailing lists!
Most artists have one and we don’t bombard you. I certainly don’t just the odd cheerful ramble, a peek at new work, or a heads-up about events. It really is the best why to keep in contact with your favourite artist.
Pop your email down at houses you love or click here to join mine.
10. Take Photos! (Future You will be grateful)
You’ll see so much art your brain will get filled up. Snap photos of anything you love. Always good if you need to share a hint with a partner of something you want. If you post them on social media, artists really appreciate being tagged. If you share something from my house, please do tag me on my Instagram. I love seeing your favourites and will share to my stories.
And that’s it! My ten tips for making the most of Artists Open Houses. I hope they help, and I hope you have a magical, joyful, cake-fuelled day. Oh and if you’d like to visit another time in the week or later in the year (maybe when it’s quieter, or to bring someone special), just email me. We’ll arrange something.
If you fancy making a weekend of it, Brighton is absolutely buzzing right now, book a show, catch a gig, have a dance. There’s so much on: Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, and The Great Escape are all in full swing.