The Level

CCTV

We’ve installed new CCTV cameras and additional lighting at The Level. 

Find out more, and watch our video about the new CCTV cameras.

Park opening times

The Level can be reached from Lewes Road, Union Road and Ditchling Road.

Bus 

Brighton & Hove Buses' frequent service 25 goes to east (Lewes Road) side, while many routes serve the Open Market stops in Ditchling Road or Oxford Street to the park's west. These include the number 21, 22, 24, 26, 37, 37B, 38, 46, 48, 49, 50 and 81 routes. Get more information about bus routes and timetables.

Cycling 

Cycle parking is provided inside the park on the northern side of the café building. 

There are cycle lanes leading to the park from the city centre, including Sustrans' National Cycle Route 20. There are cycle paths on the west, east and north perimeters of the park and several additional onstreet places to park and secure your bicycle around the park.

View the Brighton & Hove Cycle Map.

The Bike Train runs group rides from The Level, including to the city's universities and to special events.

Cars

There is on-street pay and display parking along Ditchling Road, Union Road and Lewes Road. Two disabled bays, including one suitable for a minibus with valid blue badge, are available onstreet. Vehicle parking on the park perimeter roads and pathways is not permitted. Parking enforcement is in place.

Accessibility

The Level is one of our disabled access parks, and has a large number of accessibility features. Find out about accessibility at the Level.

Services and facilities

• a space to hire for small community events in the MacLaren pavilion. Send an email to park.pavilions@brighton-hove.gov.uk or phone 01273 292 704 for more information
• drinking water fountains in playground and another by skatepark
• play fountains - summer months only. The fountains are managed by Freedom Leisure

The Level Play Fountains 

The play fountains are due to be switched on for the summer on Saturday 29 April 2023. 

The fountains are managed by Freedom Leisure.

Find out more about paddling pools in the city.

Sports and games

• The Level's landscaped playground provides a wide range of exciting play equipment suitable for all ages and abilities. There is also a sensory play garden area.
• the park has an international-standard skatepark in the northern quadrant. Find out more about skateparks in the city
• table tennis near the Maclaren Pavilion.
• pétanque and boccia on our special games area in the southern part of the park. Find out how to play boccia (PDF 2.8MB). Find out how to play pétanque (PDF 3.7MB)
• chessboards set into the picnic tables around the pétanque area

Events and activities

Interested in holding a public event at The Level? Find out what you need to know if you're thinking about organising an event on council land. 

Volunteering and The Level Communities Forum

• the Level Communities Forum (LCF) is an active community group which works with the city council for the long-term benefit of the park. The Forum is always pleased to welcome new members. Email thelevelcommunitiesforum@gmail.com
• find out more about city parks and green space volunteering
• search for volunteering opportunities on the Community Works website
• Brighton & Hove Green Spaces Forum

Conservation and sustainability

The park observes the highest sustainability and environmental standards, with particular focus on encouraging pollinators. There is a bee bed and a butterfly garden, and many other plants are specially selected for their attractiveness to these insects. Information about the park's environmental activities is on noticeboards.

Read more about the park's conservation, wildlife and sustainability.

Read The Level's Conservation Report (PDF 4MB).

Other points of interest at The Level

Awards

The park has won a clutch of awards for its accessibility, sustainability, environmental standards, heritage protection and interpretation, and landscaping. It is also a Green Flag park.

Read more about Green Flag parks in the city.

Elm trees and butterflies

The Level has a large and nationally important elm tree collection which supports a colony of White-letter Hairstreak butterflies. This endangered species lives mainly in the treetops and the butterfly's lifecycle is entirely dependent on elms for food. The butterfly was spotted at The Level during the park's restoration, and has been seen on many occasions since. Read more about The National Elm Collection.

History

Find out about The Level's fascinating history.

Education and learning

Schools and registered educational groups can book our curriculum linked school resource box free for onsite use. Contact cityparks@brighton-hove,gov.uk.

Art at The Level

Have a look at the park's community inspired artwork in the central part of the north lawns and on the chessboard tabletops of the picnic tables around the pétanque area. The artwork is textured so it can be appreciated by those with visual impairment.

Happenstance archway

An eye-catching polished steel archway, installed in 2017 at the southern entrance, has images of the park's history and wildlife picked out through the innovative use of perforations. Watch a video about the steel arch sculptures on YouTube.

Other information

The Level is in the Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere, now known as The Living Coast.

Watch a YouTube video about the park made by City College Brighton students.

Report a problem in the park

Found a problem at The Level? Contact us online to report a problem.

Find who to contact to report queries and concerns (PDF 128KB).