Favorite seaside resort of Londoners, Brighton shines with a subtle blend of relaxed rhythm of life and English eccentricity.
This trendy bohemian city has all the charm assets one dreams of, summer and winter: long beaches, numerous restaurants and festivals and even a royal palace. It is easy to understand why Cate Blanchett, Nick Cave, Ken Livingstone - the former mayor of London - or Noel Gallagher chose to live or own a house there!
85km south of London and just an hour by train from London, a visit to vibrant and colorful Brigton is worth a stop for one or two days.
Brighton: a chic, bohemian and open-minded city
Le Lanes district (“Alleys” in English), are small cobbled and pedestrian streets located between the seafront and the city center. It is the historic heart of Brighton where you can find antique shops, jewelry shops, fashion boutiques and traditional pubs. An essential place to stroll, buy and feast!
North Laine is the bohemian district of Brighton, equivalent to Camden Town in London, but also a high place of street art. The most famous work is undoubtedly the stencil of Banksy named Kissing Coppers and depicting two human-sized British police officers kissing. This most famous work of the street artist had been smuggled on a facade of the Prince Albert pub, in Trafalgar Street in 2004, before being stolen seven years later. Today it is a simple replica which replaces the original work which has found a buyer.
Also in this same district, there are tea rooms, organic restaurants and contemporary art galleries and of another kind, record stores, vintage clothing shops and recycling workshops.
Finally Brighton is also a tolerant city, which also hosts a very large LGBT community, mainly in the district of Kempton. And who is proud of it: Brighton Pride brings together some 160 people each year.
Brighton's pretty beaches
The predominantly pebble Hove Beach is one of the sunniest places in the country. It is decorated with charming colorful cabins, some of which are available for hire, as well as a music pavilion.
Brighton Palace Pier: an iconic theme park
Brighton Pier, also called Palace pier is a large jetty 525 meters long which was inaugurated in 1899. This Victorian wooden pier hosts a large permanent funfair ("retro" rides, roller coasters, arcade games, ghost train), restaurants and game rooms.
Address : Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW
Royal Pavilion: Brighton's iconic building
Seaside residence of the Prince Regent and future King George IV, the royal pavilion with its Indian architecture on the outside and Chinese on the inside is an architectural curiosity. This sumptuous and surprising building reflects the eccentricity of King George IV who in 1825 asked the architect John Nash to make it a huge palace of Indian inspiration, Asia being at the time a fascination under the period of the English regency.
If you only have to make one cultural visit to Brighton, the Royal Pavilion is a must - you will undoubtedly be amazed by the music room lit by lotus-shaped chandeliers, the stairs leading to the Royal Apartments including the banister mahogany, cleverly imitates bamboo or the banquet hall and the magnificent 9 m high crystal chandelier, surmounted by a gigantic winged dragon in silver.
In addition, in the heart of the gardens of the Royal Pavilion, there is an art museum where interesting collections ranging from Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects to Spanish, Flemish and English paintings, including costumes and archaeological pieces discovered in the surrounding area.
Address : 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE
More information
British Airways i360 tour
British Airways i360 is the world's tallest moving observation tower (162m), designed by the architects of London Eye. The gondola, which can accommodate up to 200 people, pivots on itself and rises in five minutes to 138 meters above sea level like an elevator.
Once up there, you have nine minutes to enjoy the breathtaking panorama: on one side, the sea as far as the eye can see, on the other, Brighton with its colorful roofs and perfectly symmetrical little houses. And on a clear day, you can see the cliffs of the Sussex coast and even the Isle of Wight, 60 km away.
Address : Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
More information
The Brighton Zip: a zipline over the seafront
If you are looking for thrills and want to see Brighton from a different perspective then this zip line which runs along the coast for almost 300 meters at over 75km / h should satisfy you!
Address : Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TB
More information
Aquarium Sea Life
Located in the immediate vicinity of Brighton Palace Pier, the Sea Life Aquarium, which was founded in 1872, was the largest aquarium in the world when it opened.
Among the 3500 creatures that make up the aquarium, one can observe rays, jellyfish, turtles and stingrays and rock eels that swim above the heads of visitors in an impressive transparent tunnel.
More information
Preston Manor: Brighton's most haunted house?
Behind a seaside image hides a more gloomy and enigmatic Brighton, which has been named the second most haunted city in the United Kingdom, just behind London and its dark suburbs where once roamed Jack the Ripper !
Preston Manor is a charming historic house, situated on the edge of Preston Park, the city's largest park. This large mansion decorated and furnished in an Edwardian style is said to be one of the most famous haunted houses in the United Kingdom and has been visited by The White Lady for several centuries!
Another curiosity, Preston Park is home to the only cemetery for animals in the entire Sussex region.
Address : Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6SD
More information
Volk’s Electric Railway
Built in 1883, Volk's Electric Railway is the oldest still operating electric railway line in the world. This little train which connects the Marina to Brigthon Pier is a good alternative not to cover the 1,6km on foot!
Address : Volk’s Electric Railway Visitor Centre, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN
More information
Old Police Cells: a museum dedicated to the history of the police
Opened in May 2005 on the initiative of police officers (serving or retired), this museum traces the criminal history of Brighton. Free guided tours are provided by volunteers during which you can visit the prison cells of the time, wear the police uniform and have their picture taken behind bars!
Address : Town Hall, Brighton BN1 1JA
More information
Brighton Fishing Museum
This museum, created in 2004 by local fishermen, traces the fishing industry through films, photographs, paintings and many objects.
After your visit, stop at The Smokehouse restaurant where the Jack and Linda Smokehouse kiosk is located, famous for their delicious crab sandwiches
Address : 201, Kings Road Arches, Brighton BN1 1NB
More information
Brighton Toy and Model Museum: one of the largest toy museums in the world
Opened in 1991, this 4000 m2 museum contains a veritable treasure of more than 10 mechanical toys, vintage Meccano, model ships, animated railroads and even wooden puppets.
Visit to do with children, on rainy days.
Address : 52-55 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EB
More information
Booth Museum of Natural History
This intuition was founded in 1874 by the Victorian naturalist Edward Thomas Booth to display his vast collection of stuffed birds in a setting mimicking their natural environment which is today one of the most important in Britain.
Other items have been added to the museum's collection over the years, and the museum now houses a collection of 525 insects, 000 minerals and rocks, 50 plants and 000 microscopic slides.
Address : 194 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 5AA
More information
Guided tour of Brighton
A foot
Through this 2-hour guided walking tour, learn about Brighton's history and cuisine, making regular stops for tastings of local food and drink.
More information
Most bus
On the same principle as B-Bakery in London, Brighton Regency Routemaster organizes tours of Brighton and Hove aboard an authentic routemaster and offers a delicious afternoon tea.
More information
By bike
This 2,5-hour guided bike tour will take you to the city's main landmarks such as the Royal Pavilion, Preston Manor and the bohemian district of North Laine.
More information
How to go to Brighton?
By train : Brighton can be reached from London in an hour, taking the train either from Victoria Station or Blackfriars Station. Departures are regular all day; you are strongly advised to book your tickets in advance on trainline, to benefit from the best price.
Brighton station is located a little north of the city center. You will then reach the center via the Queens Road. Most of the main attractions are within a 15-minute walk of the station and walking between them is the best way to soak up the Brighton vibe.
Schedules and information
By bus : National Express connects London Victoria to Brighton in 2 hours.
Schedules and information
By ferry : The DFDS company operates a link between Dieppe (Normandy) and Newhaven, 30 minutes from Brighton. Two to three crossings (4 hours) are provided each day.
Schedules and information
What to visit around Brighton?
The medieval town of Lewes
Nestled in the heart of the Sussex countryside, Lewes is a charming town with a plethora of quaint shops selling unique antiques and vintage accessories as well as an incredible flea market, open daily.
Lewes Castle, built shortly after the Norman invasion, offers a panoramic view of Sussex from its 1000-year-old medieval keep.
Schedules and information
Another monument to visit is the XNUMXth century house that Anne de Clèves acquired during her divorce from Henry VIII. Now used as a museum, the house offers a fascinating insight into how the Tudors and the Elizabethans lived and worked.
Schedules and information
Distance de Brighton : 13km / 8 miles east
How to get there : 15 min by train
Seven Sisters Nature Park
Seven Sisters are iconic white chalk cliffs on the south side of England in the heart of a 280 hectare nature park.
Distance de Brighton : 15km / 9 miles south
How to get there : From Brighton take bus 12 or 12A and get off at Chyngton Lane station (consult the bus timetable) On foot, walk up Chyngton Lane to the car park then turn right towards the golf course.
You can also benefit from the services of a guide and a driver.
More information
