The Lanes are Brighton's oldest quarter, a warren of narrow alleys following the street pattern of the original fishing village that preceded the resort. Today they hold one of the densest concentrations of antique shops and jewellers in England, alongside independent boutiques, cafes, and the odd fisherman's cottage now selling vintage clothes.
The streets are barely wide enough for two people to pass in places. Duke Lane, Meeting House Lane, and Brighton Square form the core of the area. It gets very crowded on summer weekends, but on a weekday morning in spring or autumn the Lanes retain something of their original character: unhurried, a little musty, full of things that have outlived their original owners.