Brighton Overview
The most recognisable image of Brighton has got to be the Royal Pavilion. Built for the Prince Regent who would later become King George IV in the style of an Indian prince's palace, the building stands out from the surrounding architecture. The Prince Regent's extravagant lifestyle set the tone for what is Brighton today. It quickly became one of the country's leading and most fashionable seaside towns, creating a legacy of fine buildings and high-class shopping. One of the more famous areas of Brighton is the famous Lanes, originally 17th century fishermen’s cottages, and now a great place to discover many boutiques, antique and book shops. Recently, mixed among the old is a nice mix of the new with many candy shops and seaside souvenirs.
Combined with Hove, the town offers a seven mile stretch of beautiful beaches. It has a long promenade, two piers (Palace Pier and West Pier) and a Sea Life Centre. The houses in Brighton are typically Georgian or late Victorian and it has two churches containing rare examples of Pre-Raphaelite art. Shopping is great in Brighton. The Lanes have plenty but can be quite expensive shops. If you go behind the North lanes than the area offers a rich collection of ethnic, second hand and oddball shops: perfect for browsing and good bargains.
Things to do in Brighton
The Theatre Royal offers many productions of London West End standard, from serious plays through to comedy and the odd musical now and then. The theatre dates to 1774 and has a Victorian red plush interior. The large concert hall seats 2,000 and has entertainment from classical concerts to popular shows and the circus. The city also has a conference centre. The Brighton Centre seats up to 5,000 spectators for concerts, sporting championships and exhibitions. Brighton also has quite a few cineplexes. The ABC film centre has three screens, the Odeon six, the MGM Multiplex eight. The Duke of York's is one of the oldest independent cinemas in the country. There are also many pubs, from the glitzy to the downright basic type. Clubs are no exception. Brighton has a good club scene and the wide range means you will usually find something for all budgets. In terms of restaurants, Brighton is hard to beat. You will have to go to London to find more restaurants than in Brighton. Whatever you fancy to eat, or can afford, you will find it in Brighton. Brighton also hosts the largest arts festival in England in May called the Brighton Fringe. Moreover, in late August, the city every year hosts the largest Pride Parade in England.
Sport in Brighton
Brighton has a large indoor swimming pool complex close to the Royal Pavilion with all the facilities you would find at a top leisure centre. Hove, too, has an enormous leisure centre with pools, water flumes, a sauna and solarium, ten-pin bowling, indoor bowls and two sports halls for indoor football and basketball. Brighton's yacht marina is the largest in Europe. Brighton also offers nearby horse-riding, many different water sports, ice-skating, etc…The list is very long. For football fans, Brighton and Hove Albion football team are in the Premier League and many of England’s top teams come to play against them. Brighton also has Sussex County cricket and Brighton racecourse which regularly has greyhound races and horse racing. Then there is all the fun of the seaside you would expect from a city like Brighton. Brighton annually hosts the Veteran Car Run and the London to Brighton Bike Ride! These two events attract some of the most unique cars you will ever see and good fun.
Escape Brighton
Sussex is one of the southernmost counties in England and has many wealthy seaside towns and villages with beautiful timbered houses and unique architecture. Should you wish to leave Brighton behind, there are many options present from nearby London to Seven Sisters National Park. You can also explore the banks of the River Arun, and Arundel Castle located in the nearby Village of Arundel.
Transport in Brighton
Brighton has a great rail service to London which makes travelling to the capital quick and less than an hour in most instances. There is also a direct line running east and west. Coach services from Poole Valley Coach Station will take you almost anywhere in the country. The A23 links with the M23 and M25 eventually and the M27 is also easily accessible. Brighton itself doesn’t offer any ferry services to continental Europe but the nearby town of Newhaven has ferries to Dieppe, France.
