Find out how The Level has been restored into a popular open space and events venue.
The Level forms part of the Valley Gardens Conservation Area. It is the main open space in this area and is a popular events venue.
People played cricket here from the mid 18th century until 1822. At that time, The Level was laid out by A H Wilds and the local botanist and landscape gardener Henry Philips. Elm avenues were planted along the outer pathway in 1844.
Download a historic timeline of The Level
The 2 men responsible for most of the buying and modernising of Brighton's parks were:
In the 1920s Captain Bertie Hubbard MacLaren redesigned the south end of The Level as a playground and boating pond, with surrounding columns and pergolas.
His designs were illustrated in his plans and described in his journals.
Download MacLaren's plans for The Level
The general layout of The Level is mostly unchanged. The northern part is still a level grassed area for events. The southern part has the remains of the children's playground.
One of the two restored pavilions at the park (the one on Ditchling Road side) is named the MacLaren in his honour.
The Level was restored in 2013, and our People's History of The Level exhibition opened. This was a community oral history project to mark the restoration.
Local people shared memories and memorabilia and history and heritage information. It is now admired and enjoyed by many people who hire the space for community meetings and events.
Our research included working with an oral historian who trained volunteers to interview and document local residents' stories and memories. The project revealed the park's rich social history. These are the key events and activities associated with The Level in the past:
My Brighton & Hove website has information on the history of The Level and events taking place there.
Go to our website page for park facilities, latest news and updates.