"I was pleased to be able to visit the manor now that it has reopened. It's not huge, but interesting to walk around all 3 levels, from bedrooms, to formal rooms and below stairs. Possibly not suitable for those with limited mobility as the stairs from the basement are quite steep and narrow. The tea room had an interesting and varied choice. Not many tables inside, but it was nice, so we sat outside. The walled garden is very pretty, too."

Alison Morris

"BRIGHTON’S HIDDEN GEM EDWARDIAN TIME CAPSULE of Edwardian life is back open to the public and its the best it’s ever been.

I’ve visited Preston Manor many times over the last 3 decades. I often went as a child as I lived locally but my school didn’t do their amazing school trips fondly remembered by many locals.

The revamp has really enhanced the visitor experience. It now really has the feel As if the family and their staff have just got up and popped out for a bit, but will be back any minute. You really do feel like you’re in a movie or a time slip back to the graceful Edwardian days. Don’t be put off by the not very decorative exterior because it hides stunning rooms inside.

There is a new audio tour that you access on your phone via a QR code. The actors on the audio to take the personalities of the former residents both above and below stairs and this makes it really fun but also informative for all ages.

All of the rooms on display really do feel like a movie set and of course it is very famous for its ghosts too, even appearing on Most Haunted for a full length episode.

A wonderful new addition is the café which is situated in the former formal dining room. It’s run by Rust Café And it’s been very busy during the recent reopening, but queues have moved fast and the cafe staff are very friendly And very quick to clear tables, so that tables are clean and ready for the next visitor. We had a coffee, hot chocolate, hot cross bun, vegetarian pastry and vegan red velvet cake. The cake slice was so huge I had to ask for a box to take the rest of it home because even though I have a sweet tooth, I couldn’t eat that all in one go! The café has tables inside, but the outside part is on the manor’s lawns and on a lovely day it is very nice to sit out there.

The Mum staff are very friendly and it is clear they really love the manor and its former occupants including the ones that refuse to leave and haunt the place.

You must visit the walled garden and it contains a little pet cemetery for the dogs and cats of the manor with their tombstones still visible. Just outside the wall garden are the famous Twin Elms one of which sadly got Dutch Elm disease not its returned to its place with gold leaf inside.

Entrance to the walled garden and the café are free.

Your ticket price at the Manor includes repeated free visit for the manor for that year. Local get a discount for the admission fee.

Obviously, I’m a big fan of Preston Manor and so is my husband. We even held our wedding reception there in 2023 because we wanted a haunted house themed wedding and the museum did not disappoint! If you’re interested in small group private dining or a small group wedding reception do contact the events team at the Brighton and Hove Museums trust.

No trip to Brighton would be complete without visiting this hidden gem. The café doesn’t open all days and is open at weekends and bank holidays but if it continues to be so popular this might hopefully change as the café is a great addition.

I think some reviewers have unrealistic expectations of a brand-new branch of a local independent café trying to run out of historical building which has only just reopened to the public and is super busy. Anyone complaint on a queue clearly never been into a chain coffee shop in Brighton because the wait is a lot longer in a chain coffee shop than when it’s very busy at Preston Manor’s cafe. People around us seem to be enjoying their food and drink. Plates were certainly left empty.

You can get to Preston Manor from the city Centre by a short bus ride. To make the most out of your trip out, I would also recommend it visiting the free entry Brighton Rock Garden opposite the manor Locals know it as either the Rockery or the ROOKery.) It’s also worth exploring the mediaeval church next to Preston Manor and the churchyard around it.

If you’re really lucky you may even bump into a ghost of one of the former residents or their small dogs that are said to still scamper happily around the place."

Patcham Royal-Mail

"Lovely experience, the audioguide on Connects adds a lot to it, it is narrated "by the inhabitants" of the house. The exhibition's are nicely interactive for the kids. The gardens are gorgeous. The staff was lovely and we enjoyed a lunch in the café in the building."

Marki Čalkovská