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 (47 miles / 76 km). In 2000, the two neighboring communities of Brighton and Hove joined together to form the unitary authority of the City of Brighton and Hove.

Brighton is one of the most vibrant, colourful and creative cities in Europe. Cosmopolitan, compact, energetic, unique, fun, lively, historic, young, exotic and free-spirited, it’s a city like no other. A fantastic mix of iconic attractions, famed nightlife, award winning restaurants, funky arts, culture & year round festivals & events Brighton really does have it all.

Sometimes called “London-by-the-Sea”, 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, University of Sussex and University of Brighton, but is most famous for its Pavilion, an extravagant Regency building.

Main Sights.

Brighton is overflowing with places to visit. And being such a compact city, most places to visit in Brighton and Hove are walkable too.

• Brighton Pier aka 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, 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 £5.95 adults, £3.50 children, other concessions available, tel 01273 290900 - 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.

• Kemptown Brightons 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.

• The Cultural Quarter, 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 Marina with boats, pubs, restaurants, a supermarket and even a hotel.

• Volks Railway. The first public electric railway in the world, opened in 1883, runs from the Aquarium at Brighton Pier to Black Rock near the Marina (operates April to September).

• Jubilee Square A modern redevelopment in the heart of Brightons North Laine. As well as the location of the magnificent Jubilee Library, the square also offers upmarket restaurants and cafe culture.

Museum & Art Galleries

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.

Hove Museum & Art Gallery: Following major redevelopment, Hove Museum & Art Gallery has been transformed into a centre of learning and enjoyment for people of all ages. The Museum’s permanent collections have been redisplayed in exciting new galleries. Fully accessible, Café, shop. Free entrance.

Grange Museum & Art Gallery: This charming Georgian building which has great historical interest is situated in the most attractive part of the village and houses. An Art Gallery & Museum which is now managed on a voluntary basis by The Rottingdean Preservation Society.

Booth Museum of Natural History: Over half a million specimens and natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum. Exhibits include hundreds of British birds displayed in recreated natural settings, insects from butterflies to beetles, a killer whale skeleton and dinosaur bones. Plus special exhibitions, educational programme, children’s activities, research facilities, loan service and museum shop.

Other Museums or Art Galleries in Brighton are:

- Brighton Toy and Model Museum

- Brighton Fishing Museum

- Old Police Cells Museum

- 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.

Brighton Entertainment and Festivities.

• May - Brighton Festival: is the second biggest arts festival in Great Britain (coming closely behind Edinburgh). Music (all sorts), art exhibitions, book debates, and much, much more.

• May - 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.).

• July - early August - Brighton Pride Festival:  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.

• June - 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.

Nightlife

Every night is show night in Brighton, as the city’s music venues, concert halls, cabaret bars, theatres and comedy clubs burst into action with some of the best entertainment in the business.

With great music at the Brighton Dome and Brighton Centre, top shows at the Theatre Royal, film at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse and cracking comedy at the Komedia, there really is something for everyone.

So if you’re looking for events in Brighton and Hove or want to know what’s on in Brighton tonight, with literally thousands of exciting events and activities throughout the year you won’t be disappointed.

Brighton Transports.

By bike

Cycling is a growing form of transport in Brighton and the city is one of Cycling England’s “Cycling Demonstration Towns”. More details on cycling, including a map of routes, can be found at the cycling section of the city council’s website.

By bus

There is an extensive bus network in Brighton and Hove. In the city center, services are very frequent and many stops have ‘real-time’ bus information. The majority of buses are run by one company, Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, The service isn’t cheap with a flat fare of £1.80 for single journeys or £3.60 for an all day ticket (CitySaver). Children travel at half price there is no child saver ticket (or 20p with a free Bus ID card when accompanied by an adult) and pensioners with an East Sussex County Card travel for free after 9am. All day tickets can be bought on the bus, or in advance on the company website.

On a small number of days a year, buses are disrupted by parades etc. - the same days as in the “By car” section above.

Many of Brighton & Hove Bus’s vehicles are named after celebrities (some living, some deceased) and individuals who have made a contribution to Brighton & Hove city life in some significant manner.

By train

Brighton Station is one of the most important rail terminals in the South East and from here the city of Brighton has a small suburban rail network with trains serving areas of Hove, Preston Park and also to the main campuses of the universities (Moulsecoomb, Falmer) which run around every 15 minutes and take about 10 minutes. Trains also run along the coast to Ashford in the east (connecting to cross-channel services) and Portsmouth in the west. Brighton has excellent rail connections to London with the capital in reach under an hour.

Note that Southern and First Capital Connect services do not carry bicycles during peak hours (7-10am and 4-7pm).

By taxi

There are vast numbers of taxis in Brighton. They are however more expensive than most other towns and cities in England. It is worth noting that on Friday and Saturday after midnight, the hire charge for a taxi is £4.10 before the journey starts.

The main taxi ranks are at Brighton train station and at East Street (near the Lanes). (Smaller ranks dotted around include: Queen Square (opposite Churchill Square), the north side of St. Peter’s Church and the bottom of Montpelier Road.)
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