Brighton is a charming city and famous seaside resort in on the south coast of England, in the county of East Sussex and almost immediately due south of the capital city London. In 2000, the two neighbouring communities of Brighton and Hove joined together to form the unitary authority of the City of Brighton and Hove.
The city is convenient for London, and increasingly popular with media and music types who don't want to live in the capital. It is sometimes called "London-by-the-Sea" for this reason. Brighton is probably the gay capital of Britain. There is a significant gay district in Kemp Town which adds to the Bohemian atmosphere of the city.
It is home to two universities, the University of Sussex (situated on the edge of the city at Falmer) and the University of Brighton.
PLACE TO VISIT
Brighton Pier - or the Palace Pier has all the usual seafront arcade attractions. There is also the wreck of West Pier which was derelict for some time before finally burning down recently. Brighton Pier is all owned by the same company, so there's no real point shopping around for bargains on it (unlike other UK piers); but this does mean it has forced off threats to close it.
Brighton Beach - In the summer, the pebble beach is covered in tourists and Brightonians alike. Poi twirlers strike a beautiful image against the sunsets. To the east of Brighton there is a designated nudist beach. The pebble beach gives way to a flat sandy seabed just below mid tide line so time your swimming to the low tide and avoid the painful feet.
The North Laine - A wild nest of alternativism, The North Laine area is walked by dreadlocked hippies, bright colours, punks, goths and oddballs. The shops sell everything from bongs to magic potions, from giant wooden hands to fairy wings and from bagels to fire staffs.
The Lanes - an adjacent area of small shops, the tumbled street plan reflecting the layout of the original fishing village of Brighton which was located here. The merchandise is more mainstream, although the Lanes are known for their wide selection of antique shops.
Sea Life Centre - An aquarium with walkthrough underwater tunnel, adjacent to Brighton Pier. This is the oldest working Aquarium left in the world.
The Royal Pavilion - An interesting architectural attraction, transformed between 1815 and 1823 by the architect John Nash, at the direction of the then Prince Regent (later King George IV), into a sumptuous pleasure palace by the sea. The exterior has an Indian theme, whilst the interior was decorated with Chinese decor. Guided tours available and well worthwhile. open daily October-March 10am-5.15pm (last tickets 4.30pm), April-September 9.30am-5.45pm (last tickets 5.00pm), closed from 2.30pm 24 December and all day on 25-26 December, admission £8.80 adults, £5.10 children, other concessions available.
Kemptown Brighton's - gay village that owes the city the title of 'Gay Capital of Britain' is a short walk east of the city centre, not only does it cater to the LGBT community but also is home to a wealth of restaurants and cafes.
Theatre Royal Pavilion Theatre - Corn Exchange Theatre, Dome Concert Hall Theatre and music venues all located in the 'Cultural Quarter' that encompasses New Road, Jubilee Street and parts of North Laine.
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery - An interesting Museum and history, culture and art to do with Brighton and beyond. An excellent permanent collection as well as brilliant exhibitions from international artists.
Toy and Model Museum - A little, unknown museum hiding under the viaduct of Brighton Station.
Fabrica - Contemporary art gallery that specialises in new comissioned site specific work. As an artist led space this is a unique venue in the southeast that shows important new works by international artists. Fabrica is not a selling gallery but a place that offers access to exciting large scale work and media installations. It is housed in a renovated church on the corner of Ship St and Duke St in the City centre, entrance is free.
Lighthouse - Another contemporary art gallery located in Kensington Street, North Laine. Like Fabrica it has no permanent collection and is purely artist led. The gallery itself is a the site of a disused warehouse.
Grand Parade - An art gallery located in Brightons most central university campus. The gallery often has exhibitions of students work as well as a wealth of international artists. It is located near St. Peter's Church just north of the Old Steine.
Phoenix - Another art gallery housing works from artists from all over the world. The gallery is in quite a central part of the city and is right next to Grand Parade.
Ink D - A small but trendy little space that exhibits obscure artists works as well as design. It is located at the bottom of North Road, North Laine.
Jubilee Square - A modern redevelopment in the heart of Brighton's North Laine. As well as the location of the magnificent Jubilee Library, the square also offers upmarket restaurants and cafe culture.
WHAT TO DO
The Brighton Festival - in May each year is the second biggest arts festival in Great Britain (coming closely behind Edinburgh). Music (all sorts), art exhibitions, book debates, and much, much more.
The Brighton Festival Fringe - At the same time as the main Brighton Festival, has many additional arts (and other) events. These include "open houses" (local artists exhibiting in their own homes) and tours (haunted pubs, Regency Brighton, churches, cemeteries, sewers etc.).
Brighton Pride - Considered by many to be the biggest and the best Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trangender Pride Festival in the UK, attracting more than 100,000 people annually to Brighton for the week-long festival in late July-early August. In 2009, Brighton Pride Festival starts Saturday 25th July - the Parade starts Saturday 1st August, 11am at the sea front near the Palace Pier on Maderia Drive.
The London to Brighton Bike Ride - A 58 mile charity ride held each June to benefit the British Heart Foundation. The Ride has raised over £26 million for heart research since its inception in 1980, from the efforts of over 550,000 riders. Suitable for all levels of riders, the route passes through glorious countryside on the approach to Brighton.
Shop until you drop - Calling into many of the quirky shops in the Laines looking for that elusive deleted LP/ leather bound book/ one-off party dress/ organic beer, can be a highlight and a chance to uncover hidden gems.
Dreamboys - Brighton is a Mecca for hen and stag nights, with parties coming from all over the Uk to celebrate the hen or stags pending nuptials. Dreamboys are a company specialising in Hen parties in Brighton and their one-off strip show is very popular.
Eclipse Leisure - Brighton plays host to many a stag and hen weekend, as well as single nights. Eclipse Leisure put together bespoke stag weekends all around town and beyond
HOW TO REACH
By plane - The city's proximity to London means Brighton is well served by airports. Brighton can be reached from Gatwick by train in as little as 25 minutes. Shoreham's airport (also known as Brighton City Airport) is located 5 miles to the west of Brighton. It is the nearest airport for light aircraft and also offers sightseeing flights. It is the oldest licensed airport in the UK.
By train - Trains to Brighton run from Victoria and London Bridge stations in London, taking about an hour (faster for the Brighton Express services from Victoria, although expect to add another 20 minutes if travelling during peak commuting times). Trains also run along the coast from Hastings and Lewes in the east, and Portsmouth and Chichester in the west. Brighton is on a direct line to Gatwick and Luton airports (Gatwick is much closer, being to the south of London).
By car - Brighton is a congested city, and not easy to drive or park in. The principal route from London and Gatwick Airport is the A23. The A27 runs along the coast, and is dual carriageway from the M27 at Portsmouth in the west to Lewes in the east. There are several car parks in central Brighton - expect to pay about £1.50 per hour, even on Sundays. Alternatively, parking is available at Worthing or Lewes stations, about 20 minutes by train from the city centre. Another alternative is to use the city's Park and Ride service, information can be found at The National Park and Ride Directory.
By bus - National Express provide coach services to London (coach tends to be slow and takes around 2 hours) and various other cities from Pool Valley coach station, between Old Steine and the seafront.
Stagecoach bus services run to Brighton from Portsmouth, via Worthing, on service 700. It costs £6.30 for one day's unlimited travel on this route. See Stagecoach for times.
