Brighton City Guide

This charming beach town on the Coast of Sussex, England makes up the majority of the city of Brighton and Hove. Located almost directly South of London, Brighton has a plenty to do, but is ideal for escaping the noise and crowds of the country’s capital.

The city has a strong bohemian style which can be explained by the large gay population in Kemp Town. For this reason, Brighton is known as the gay capital of Britain. The proximity to London and the sea has also attracted media and music types, creating a fantastic nightlife.

Getting to Brighton is easy as the city is well served by train with direct services to and from London throughout the day. Gatwick airport can also be reached by rail in around 30 minutes.

Brighton is known for its pebble beach which may not be as comfortable as a sandy beach is, but with a number of small shops and fish and chip cafes scattered along the walkway, it has a certain character which seems to have progressed from the classic British beach town style of the 1950s. The city has two large piers, Brighton Pier, AKA the Palace Pier, which holds a number of games and attractions. The burned out wreck of the West Pier sits on the other side of the beach, but is out of bounds to the public.

Further inland, adjacent to the pier, the Sea Life Centre is the oldest working aquarium left in the world. It features a walkthrough underwater tunnel and a number of interesting sea creatures.

The Lanes is an area of small shops with thin, interesting streets, reflecting the layout of the original fishing village of Brighton. Further up is The North Laine which is a collection of alternative streets and buildings with shops selling alternative products like bongs, potions, and fire staffs.

For an interesting piece of architecture, The Royal Pavilion is a wonderfully strangely designed building, transformed between 1815 and 1823 by the architect John Nash. The Indian themed exterior of the pavilion stands out compared to the surroundings and looks fantastic on a sunny day or in the evening. Guided tours are available and allow visitors to see the Chinese style décor inside.

Brighton is an interesting city with great character and plenty to see. The attractions and buildings are varied throughout the area but the best part of visiting is to wonder through the streets, taking in the culture and looking at the strange shops on offer. One drawback to the city’s relaxed style is the constant pretentious feeling of the people and places, however for a short break, this doesn’t become an issue. Brighton and Hove has gained a fully justified reputation as one of Britain’s finest beach cities and is well worth a visit on a sunny day.