Brighton Beach
- © Vittorio Caramazza / Shutterstock
A seaside town bursting colour and warmth
A town known for its extravagance, openness, cool independent shops and charming streets, Brighton is the ultimate southern seaside getaway. Brimming with cool, the city holds space for all kinds of people and has been a subcultural hub for decades. From its trendy music scene to its prominent LGBTQ+ community and blossoming independent arts spaces, Brighton is the ultimate free-thinkers’ beacon. Whilst popular among Londoners for its proximity to the Big Smoke, Brighton couldn’t be more different from the capital. Its uniquely eclectic character has very much been its own for decades, and there are no plans for that to change anytime soon.
If you’ve never been to Brighton before, you won’t be able to miss the iconic Lanes and Royal Pavilion. Both quintessential landmarks of the city, you’ll have to make your way through the both labyrinth like and historic Lanes that give the city so much of its irresistible charm, and the Pavilion, that almost sticks out like a sore thumb due to its intriguing Indo-Saracenic architecture. While the two landmarks are very different, there’s no denying their obvious historical relevance in making Brighton into the city we all know and love today.
Royal Pavilion, Brighton
- © FenlioQ / ShutterstockNo trip to Brighton would be complete without a visit to the legendary Brighton Palace Pier and seafront. The city’s undisputed landmark, the pier is a non-negotiable stop on any Brighton itinerary. It’s perfect for a wander around on a sunny day, or for a day out with the family to enjoy all the leisure activities it has to offer. The iconic seafront and rocky beach are a must-see and a walk along the promenade is always delightful.
Brighton Pier
- © Mitotico / ShutterstockBe sure to take time to explore areas like Hove and Kemptown. Delightfully situated just off of the city centre, these two areas are favourites amongst locals for their quiet charm, stunning Regency style architecture, proximity to the seafront and range of excellent cafes, restaurants and independent stores. They’re perfect for a wander through the streets and to take a moment away from Brighton’s often hectic centre.
Hove architecture
- © Delia_Suvari / ShutterstockBrighton and Hove is also the perfect base to take on some day trips in the rest of Sussex. We have a soft spot for Rye’s many mysterious (and probably very haunted) locations and charming cobblestone alleys, as well as the wonderful, sweeping epic views at Seven Sisters Cliffs. While both are vastly different, they’re both easily accessible from Brighton and give visitors a completely different perspective on the area.
Seven Sisters Cliffs
- © alice-photo / Shutterstock
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Brighton is very easily accessible from the rest of the UK by car, the drive down to the seaside is relatively straightforward. It is also very well connected by train, with Brighton station being located minutes from the city centre.
The nearest airport to Brighton is London Gatwick, which is a 30ish minute train ride from the city, with the Gatwick Express.
There are many cute and quirky hotels around Brighton, but nothing beats a stay with ocean views to make the most of the city. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite hotels that offer excellent views of the sea in the city.
Total area: 31.97 square miles
Population : 277, 103
The best time to go to Brighton is in the warmer season, from May to September. The city really comes to life in the sunshine and is overall so much more enjoyable. July and August are the peak touristy months where the beachfront can get extremely packed, particularly if there’s a heatwave.
Brighton is a very accepting and open city and you’ll see people wearing all kinds of different styles. Pack anything you want to wear and feel comfortable in and Brighton’s probably the last place in the world where you’ll be judged for doing so.
If you’re planning to be walking around the city all day, obviously bring some comfortable shoes and make sure you pack an umbrella or raincoat, just in case, after all, you’ll be down by the coast.
The city can get crowded and traffic happens often, as a lot of the streets are on the narrow side. It’s a good idea to leave your car in the car park during your stay and just walk everywhere or use the local bus network to get around. Street parking is usually available in quieter or more residential parts of the city.
Brighton is a generally safe city and you’re unlikely to encounter any unsafe situations. That said, please stay alert just like you would in any other city, especially at night and be sure to keep an eye on what’s going on around you.
In case of an emergency, dial 999 to get through to police, fire and ambulance services.
With its abundance of incredible vintage shops, be sure to bring back a unique second hand or antique object or piece of clothing from your trip to Brighton. There’s no better way to honour the city’s unique personality than to bring home a unique piece of your own that suits your own character.
Brighton has such an incredibly vibrant energy, let the city surprise you. Be sure to allow spare time in your trip to just let yourself meander and explore all of Brighton’s little quirks and peculiarities, there’s truly nowhere like it and it would be a shame to not soak up its endlessly fun eccentricity.
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