Brighton Beach, Sussex
Traditionally, Brighton has always been a playground. Preferred by the Prince of Wales as a pleasure resort back in the late 18th century, it’s continued to attract weekenders, partygoers and culture lovers. It also offers a range of overnight options, from the high-end hotels to the traditional Brighton B&B.
Key to its character is its diversity. There’s probably no other city in the UK that can claim to be as bohemian, and as quirky.
With a longstanding proud reputation for tolerance and freethinking, it’s a veritable melting pot of styles, fashions and all manner of freakery.
Obvious attractions include the Palace Pier, which opened in 1899, and the Pavilion. As piers go, it’s a classic, and the Pavilion will confuse and amaze in the same breath. Built for the Prince Regent (later crowned King George IV) between 1787 and 1823, it embraces Regency style and opulence, and is filled with oriental treasures.
Most roads lead to the sea and miles of pebble beach. There are distant views of the stunning chalk cliffs at Seven Sisters and long seafront walks to the avenues and architecture of neighbough, Hove.
Back off Brighton beach, you’ll find yourself in a rabbit warren of curio shops in the south laines. Here, boutiques and antiques meet. Further west there’s the North Laine area with a similar, but larger network of street cafes and entertainment venues.
Brighton has more pubs than you’ll ever visit, and bars frequented by the stars. Weekends in Brighton are never short of surprises; make the effort and leave the capital behind, pick up the latest information from a Brighton blog, but just make sure you leave enough time to get to the return train!
Guest post is by Mark Pawlak, editor at Travel-copywriting.com
