The twentieth century saw Hove develop as a resort, with new parks, leisure facilities and sporting venues.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries large areas of parkland were opened for public enjoyment, for example, Hove Recreation Ground 1891, Aldrington Recreation Ground 1895, Victoria Recreation Ground, Portslade 1902, Hove Park 1906 and St Ann's Well Garden, Hove, 1908.

In many of these parks and along the seafront tennis, bowls, croquet and putting could all be played, whilst the Sussex Downs provided the backdrop for the West Hove and Brighton and Hove Golf Courses.

Hove has a unique claim in the countys sporting history as home to three major venues; Sussex County Cricket Club, the county's only greyhound stadium and finally, the Goldstone Ground which until 1997 was home to Sussex's only League Football club, Brighton and Hove Albion.