Brighton, England

Brighton Pier

I always find that people who make a quick visit to England, go to London and then leave.   Of course there is so much to see in London,   but just an hour south by train is Brighton, an English seaside resort town and a popular day-trip destination.    It doesn’t have your typical sandy beach, instead, it has a famous pebble one, but that doesn’t stop people flocking to it when the sun shines,  sitting on the beach and looking out to the English channel and France just 82 miles across the sea.

Stroll along the bustling promenade and enjoy the atmosphere at the cafes and bars or relax on the famous beach and enjoy an ice cream.   The promenade area is backed by Regency-era buildings and a variety of different shops.   The town is known for its nightlife with some of the best clubs in the country, also the arts scene and festivals. Brighton, with its bohemian atmosphere has long been considered the UK’s gay capital and everyone is welcome here.  

The Brighton Pier is a famous Victorian land mark reaching out to the sea.  It was opened in 1899 and now has various food/drink outlets, fairground attractions and a large arcade.   It’s worth a walk to the end just to look back at the town.

The Royal Pavilion is just a short distance inland from the Pier.    A spectacular seaside palace created for Prince Regent (George IV) between 1815-1823.  A dazzling and exotic building which houses furniture and works of art.  

If you are looking for some a different shopping experience, take a stroll through the The Lanes a short distance from the beach and the Royal Pavilion.   Full of independent shops and boutiques set in a historic maze of lanes and alleyways you can get lost in here for an afternoon.  Crammed with antique shops, jewellery, designer boutiques and art shops.   Take a break at one of the wonderful cafés or funky restaurants where you can sit in the sun and enjoy the live music played by the buskers.  

Just north of The Lanes, is North Laine, oozing retro chic,  a real mix of the ethnic, exotic and funky, vintage clothing, over 300 shops and a very laid back atmosphere,   a lovely place to relax and watch the world go by.

Brighton train station is a short walk from all of these places, and an hour from London, so next time you visit, try to get out of the city and spend a day by the sea.

Brighton Pavilion