Shopping, lip smacking food, superb beaches and a wild nightlife, all on your mind? Head straight to Brighton
Gaudy yet glorious, City of Brighton and Hove situated in East Sussex is Britain's most colourful city. Over half of the city’s area is open downland, most of which lies within the South Downs National Park and forms part of the UNESCO-recognised Brighton and Lewes Downs biosphere reserve.
Brighton has been England’s most interesting seaside city, and today it’s more vibrant, eccentric, and cosmopolitan than ever. For more than 200 years it has been a city of rich cultural mix— Regency architecture, specialty shops, sidewalk cafés, lively arts, and a flourishing gay scene— makes it unique and unpredictable. Its lanes revel in booming arts scene and the street life makes it the archetypal seaside home. Brighton is also the place to go if you’re looking for hotels with offbeat design and party nights.
The town is all about its eccentric buildings and even more eccentric people. The imposing railway viaduct next to the Duke of York’s Picture House, England’s oldest functioning cinema is a local landmark and is frequented by tourists. The immense gable end of St Bartholomew’s, a giant brick-built barn of a church that is said to have been constructed to the precise dimensions of Noah’s Ark as stated in the Bible is also a major attraction. From iconic Brighton tourist attractions to beachfront cool, Brighton is a treasure trove of things to do and places to go. Vibrant, colourful, fun and free, Brighton offers the energy of the city and freedom of the sea. It really is unique.
From the stunning heritage of the Royal Pavilion, Regency architecture and Victorian aquariums to the traditional seaside fun of the famous Brighton Pier and pebble beach, Brighton offers something for every walk of life. You may also get nose to nose with marine life at Brighton Sea Life Centre.
Once this English port town was considered louche and seedy, with crumbling piers and weathered hotels for so-called dirty weekends. But with cosmopolitan London just an hour away, it was a matter of time before this funky town regained its color. Recently the Londoners have rediscovered Brighton’s lanes and Regency-style buildings, turning it into what’s now called “the gay capital of England.” Londoners check into the boutique hotels during the weekends and get lost into the dance-tilldawn clubs. Its like a Miami Beach by the side of the English Channel.
The secret ingredient to the perfect break is finding that fabulous restaurant, cosy pub or hip bar. And Brighton is packed full of them. From veggie treats and beachfront brunches to fine dining and tasty value options, Brighton is bursting at the seams with every type of international cuisine on the menu. Some fabulous cafes, bars and pubs serve afternoon tea to beachside drinks with friends, you can find the best Brighton and Hove has to offer.
Legend has it that in 1750 physician Richard Russell published a book recommending seawater treatment for glandular diseases. The fashionable world flocked to Brighton to take Dr. Russell’s “cure,” and sea bathing became a popular pastime. Few places in the south of England were better for it, since Brighton’s broad beach of smooth pebbles stretches as far as the eye can see. It’s been popular with sunbathers ever since.
The next windfall for the town was the arrival of the Prince of Wales (later George IV). “Prinny,” as he was called, created the Royal Pavilion, a mockAsian pleasure palace that attracted London society. The Royal Pavilion is a former royal palace built as a home for the Prince Regent during the early 19th century, under the direction of the architect John Nash, and is notable for its Indo-Saracenic architecture and Oriental interior. The exotic Royal Pavilion, was sold to the city in 1850 for £53,000.Other Indo-Saracenic buildings in Brighton include the Sassoon Mausoleum, now, with the bodies reburied elsewhere, in use as a chic supper club.
Today the elegant terraces of Regency houses are among the town’s greatest attractions. The railway set the seal on Brighton’s popularity: with the Brighton Belle the beach was about an hour’s ride for the busy Londoners.
Brighton and Hove really is a city of festivals.
From the biggest arts Festival in England to comedy, food, music, film and artists’ open houses, you’ll usually find somewhere in the city that is in full festival swing. And its not just the summer months that draw the festival crowds. The city knows how to celebrate arts and culture year round with Brighton festivals packing venues and filling the streets right across the calendar.
e streets right across the calendar. Brighton Festival is an annual celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and family events — taking place in venues both familiar and unusual across Brighton & Hove for three weeks every May. In 2016 Brighton Festival celebrates 50 years of commissioning and producing innovative arts and culture with Guest Director Laurie Anderson at the helm.
Established in 1967, Brighton Festival has become one of the city’s most enduring symbols of inventiveness and celebration over the past half century. Now one of Europe’s leading arts festivals, Brighton Festival is known for its ambitious and daring programme that aims to make the most of the city’s distinctive cultural atmosphere, drawing some of the most innovative artists and companies (and adventurous audiences) from the UK and around the world.
From silver screen and comedy gold to the local fare of the Brunswick Festival and Sussex Beer Festival, the Brighton festival fever is firing up the city throughout the year.
In the month of April the town celebrates Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival ‘Spring Harvest’. The local producers, growers, restaurants, bars and food retailers and showcases fantastic food, drink and hospitality across the city.
Pack your bags, lace up your boots and plan your official ride to the festival.