St Nicholas' Church Gardens
Find out about the facilities at St Nicholas' Church Gardens and how to get there.
The St Nicholas' Church Gardens Conservation Management Plan
Consultation update
We ran a public consultation on the above in June and July 2018. Thank you to all those who took part.
We have noted the comments we received, and will accommodate these wherever possible. Most notably we will not be removing the high chain-link fence in the play area.
In order not to delay progress on the ground, Cityparks has been working with the Church, Friends of group, and other partners to form a focus group to implement changes on site. This includes the Conservation Management Plan as highlighted through the comments received.
We hope to make a number of changes to all 3 sites, once we have secured approval from the Diocese of Chichester.
For further information about this work, send an email to cityparks@brighton-hove.gov.uk or phone 01273 29 29 29.
About St Nicholas' Church Gardens
There are three areas that make up St Nicholas' Church Gardens:
- St Nicholas' Churchyard
- the Children's Garden on the opposite side of Church Road from the churchyard
- the Rest Garden on the other side of Dyke Road.
The church lies towards the north end of the churchyard. The picture shows an image taken by Robert Farmer around the middle of the 19th Century.
St Nicholas' Gardens sit on sloped land in the very centre of Brighton.
They are the burial grounds which surround the ancient mother church of Brighton St Nicholas'.
A site of pre-Christian importance, a church is thought to have been present here since at least the 11th Century.
Combined, these three sites offer a tangible archive and social history of Brighton during the Regency and Victorian period.
These gardens formed the main burial grounds for Brighton residents until the 1850s, when the substantial parish and private cemeteries opened in Brighton's Lewes Road.
Opening times
St Nicholas' Churchyard and the Rest Garden are always open. The Children's Garden and playground is locked at night by volunteers.
Getting there
Bus
As St Nicholas' Church Gardens are so central within Brighton, they are easily accessible by almost all bus services serving the city - the majority of these services stop at Churchill Square which is approximately 5 minutes' walk away.
Cycling
There is onstreet cycle parking on all surrounding roads and areas, including at Churchill Square, and the adjacent Western Road. Download a Brighton & Hove cycle map.
Train
St Nicholas' is approximately 15 minutes' walk from Brighton mainline railway station.
Car
The area around St Nicholas' church gardens has paid-for onstreet parking. There is an NCP car park at the rear of Churchill Square.
Report a problem in the park
Have you found a problem at the park? Contact us using our online CityParks problem report form.
Facilities
The Children's Garden and playground contains a variety of equipment including swings and roundabouts and space for picnics. Find out more about playgrounds in the city.
Points of interest
The grounds are the final resting place for a number of noteworthy and fascinating characters associated with the city's past. Find out more from the Brighton Mortiquarian.
This park is protected by Fields in Trust.
Don't miss this
Brighton Mortiquarian website offers two fascinating and informative tours (or "perambulations") guiding visitors around the Gardens.
Get involved and find out more
- Interested in volunteering at St Nicholas' Church Gardens? Visit our Cityparks volunteering webpage
- The Friends of St Nicholas' church works in partnership with the Parochial Church Council to care for the church and its history.
- Park Rangers - What are they doing in your area?