Summary
Stylish, progressive, and lively, Brighton is often regarded as England’s party capital, attracting day-trippers from across the south for beach outings, nightlife, and shopping excursions.
The city boasts a robust arts and creative sector, with its cultural reputation further enhanced by the Brighton Festival held every May.
At the conclusion of the 18th century, the upper class flocked to this former fishing village to “take the cure,” indulging in seawater baths and even consuming it.
Among the initial wave of vacationers was the Prince Regent (later George IV), who commissioned the Royal Pavilion—an Indo-Saracenic edifice unlike any other palace in the west, characterized by its prominent domes and minarets.
Brighton is also home to a vibrant LGBT community, with approximately 400,000 individuals visiting the city for the annual Brighton Pride celebrations in August.
Let’s delve into the noteworthy attractions in Brighton:
1. Royal Pavilion
The Prince Regent, a fashionable young man, first arrived in Brighton in 1783, and soon began to spend considerable leisure time in the town, prompting him to commission a seaside palace.
John Nash, the architect known for additional London landmarks such as Regent Street and Buckingham Palace, was entrusted with this project.
The original structure was designed in a Neoclassical style; however, in 1815, shortly before his ascension to the throne, George IV instructed Nash to modify the design to better reflect his preference for oriental aesthetics.
With its onion domes and minarets, the exquisite Royal Pavilion may easily be mistaken for a mosque.
An audio guide leads visitors through the opulent interiors, including the Banqueting Room and the Great Kitchen, where one can learn about George IV’s dietary habits, as well as the Royal Bedrooms, renovated in response to George’s later-in-life health concerns.
2. Palace Pier
As one of the UK’s prominent landmarks, the Palace Pier extends half a kilometer into the English Channel at the foot of the Old Steine thoroughfare.
Since its opening in 1899, the pier has been a staple of seaside pleasure and was historically home to a theatre until its demolition in the 1970s due to structural issues.
Today, Palace Pier has transformed into a vibrant amusement park featuring fairground rides, traditional games, concession stands, two arcades, and the city’s largest indoor play area.
This traditional English seaside fun destination is a must-visit for those visiting Brighton with families.
3. The Lanes
The area known as The Lanes served as the heart of Brighton during its time as a modest fishing community.
This neighborhood is both the oldest region of the city and one of the premier locations for dining, shopping, and socializing.
The Lanes is a maze of narrow alleys, often no wider than an arm’s width.
The streets meander through enchanting two-storey buildings, distinct from the city’s Regency and Victorian homes.
Visitors to this charming district can explore cafes, bakeries, antique shops, artisanal jewelry boutiques, and be entertained by local buskers that contribute to the area’s vibrant atmosphere.
4. North Laine
Situated between Brighton Railway Station and the Royal Pavilion, North Laine is a trendy shopping district where over 300 stores are packed into a compact area.
Originally, this grid of streets comprised farming plots in Medieval Times and underwent significant transformation in the 19th century, evolving into a densely populated slum.
In the 20th century, the area was slated for demolition, but it was designated as a Conservation Area in the 1970s, allowing it to develop into the eclectic, bohemian district featuring vintage stores, design boutiques, music shops, and stylish cafes.
The community of designers within North Laine actively contribute to the local economy by crafting metalwork, glassware, jewelry, ceramics, sculptures, and clothing from their studios.
5. Going Out
For decades, Brighton has been the premier destination for stag and hen parties, and during weekends in spring and summer, the city is bustling with individuals celebrating their upcoming weddings.
For all other visitors, there exists a variety of venues suited to different tastes, ranging from gastropubs and craft beer establishments to bars featuring live music, LGBTQ+ pubs, stylish alternative bars, and large nightclubs.
These venues can be found throughout The Lanes, North Laine, along Trafalgar Street, on Churchill Square, Western Road, and extending eastward into Kemptown.
The Haunt, located in Brighton, epitomizes the local nightlife scene with a chic atmosphere and offers live music performances up to four nights a week.
6. Brighton Beach and Seafront
At the shoreline, you will unmistakably recognize you are in an English seaside resort, greeted by the aroma of fish and chips and observing deckchairs swaying in the sea breeze.
The pebbled beach, which stretches 5.4 miles, embodies Victorian elegance combined with Brighton’s youthful vibrancy, and various bars and clubs ensure the waterfront remains lively well into the night.
In front of the newly established British Airways i360, you can view the remains of the charred West Pier, which was abandoned in the 1970s and succumbed to a fire in 2003. The arches facing what remains of the pier are home to charming independent shops selling a variety of items, including books and homegoods.
7. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
Part of the same complex as the Royal Pavilion, the Brighton Museum was originally envisioned as a tennis court for the Prince Regent.
This design was never actualized, and the facility eventually served as a cavalry barracks, albeit an ornate one featuring multifoil arches and minarets.
The museum houses collections encompassing decorative arts, natural sciences, fine arts, world art, costumes, textiles, oral history, toys, films, and more, all displayed within engaging galleries.
Highlights include a Kinemacolour Camera, invented around 1910, a pair of breeches formerly owned by King William IV, an Egyptian funerary portrait dating back to the 2nd century, and the Hove amber cup, a Bronze Age artifact crafted from a single piece of amber.
8. Old Steine Gardens
In the period when Brighton was merely the tiny fishing settlement of Brighthelmstone, Old Steine Gardens featured a village green with a stream meandering through it.
As the resort expanded, the gardens developed into a recreational area and were incorporated into the eastern lawns of William IV’s Royal Pavilion.
Today, it serves as a green space conveniently located near many of Brighton’s prominent landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods, and cultural institutions, including the Palace Pier to the south, Kemptown to the east, The Lanes to the west, and the Royal Pavilion next door.
At the center, surrounded by flowerbeds, stands the cast iron and sandstone Victoria Fountain, erected in 1847 to celebrate the queen’s accession to the throne.
The lawns surrounding the fountain are a popular gathering spot on sunny days, serving as the hub for Brighton Pride in August and the Brighton Festival in May.
9. Kemptown
Located east of the Palace Pier and stretching along King’s Cliff towards Black Rock, Kemptown is a desirable and culturally rich neighborhood known for its artistic community.
The majority of Kemptown was constructed during the Regency and Victorian eras, resulting in grand squares, striking seafront crescents, and unique structures such as the Sassoon Mausoleum, built in 1892 and currently functioning as a nightclub.
This area serves as Brighton’s “gay quarter,” with many local businesses catering to the LGBT community.
Kemptown is also a fantastic shopping destination, especially for those with an appreciation for chic design, gourmet food, and treasure hunting for antiques.
10. British Airways i360
At the seafront, where the remnants of the West Pier meet the promenade, stands the British Airways i360—an observation tower inaugurated in 2016 that serves as a contemporary landmark for the city, designed by the team behind the London Eye.
Visitors can enjoy a 20-25 minute ride in a spacious pod, which offers stunning 360° views at 162 meters above the city and coastline.
On a clear day, the panoramic views extend to Beachy Head cliffs and the Isle of Wight, located 50 miles to the west.
Within the pod, guests can indulge in beverages from the Nyetimber Sky Bar, highlighted by a selection of sparkling wines produced on the region’s chalk hills.
11. Preston Manor
Just one station away from central Brighton lies a historic estate located in the Preston Village suburb.
Preston Manor traces its origins back to at least 1086, when it was documented in the Domesday Book.
The manor primarily reflects a Palladian architectural style from the 18th century, yet remnants of a 13th-century structure can still be found in the basement, while the north facade was renovated in 1905.
Inside, Preston Manor retains the essence of an Edwardian grand home, with collections featuring decorative arts, glass, silver, clocks, ceramics, and exquisite furnishings elegantly assembled by Edwardian collector Percy Macquoid.
This lavish experience is enriched by more utilitarian spaces, such as the servants’ quarters, kitchen, butler’s pantry, and boot hall.
The surrounding grounds include a 17th-century walled garden and a sentimental graveyard for the family’s pets.
12. Devil’s Dyke
While enjoying Brighton, it’s easy to overlook the presence of a national park situated in the city’s vicinity.
Traffic permitting, one can reach the awe-inspiring Devil’s Dyke in the South Downs National Park within 20 minutes.
This V-shaped depression, 100 meters deep, was carved into the landscape during the last Ice Age as melting snow cascaded down the frozen chalk valley.
The hills surrounding the valley ascend to 217 meters, providing spectacular views on favorable weather days, potentially extending to the Isle of Wight.
The journey includes a visit to the namesake pub located on the ridge of the valley, observing paragliders launching from the hills, and exploring a section of the South Downs Way, a 100-mile National Trail.
13. Booth Museum of Natural History
Also located near Preston Village is a complimentary museum named in honor of the Victorian naturalist and collector Edward Thomas Booth.
The museum houses numerous taxidermied birds, preserved butterflies, and other historical animal specimens, creating an experience akin to stepping back in time while simultaneously highlighting Victorian scientific practices.
Opened in its neo-Byzantine hall in 1874, Booth stipulated that his 300 dioramas must remain untouched when he donated the museum to the city in 1890.
Guests can view an impressive collection of 650 butterfly species and 150-year-old reproductions of native UK bird habitats.
The museum also features extensive fossil and mineral exhibits, rare specimens including a dodo’s skeleton and woolly rhinoceros remains, as well as Victorian curiosities such as a merman.
14. St Bartholomew’s Church
A short detour from the railway station leads to St Bartholomew’s Church, an impressive Victorian brick structure that stands prominently in the skyline.
Constructed in the early 1870s in a Neo-Gothic style, this church captivates with the remarkable height of its nave.
At 41 meters in height, it is potentially the largest parish church nave in Britain, despite the challenge of directly comparing it to other architectural wonders due to its unique design.
The architecture draws inspiration from Italian Gothic with horizontal bands of white Portland limestone adorning the south facade.
A marble staircase leads to the high altar, which features a baldachin made of marble and alabaster, rising 13.7 meters in a Byzantine style.
15. Brighton Festival
Now surpassing 50 years, the Brighton Festival is recognized as England’s foremost multidisciplinary arts festival.
For three weeks each May, a diverse array of music, dance, theatre, film, art, circus, and family events take place at both established and alternative temporary venues throughout the city.
Each year, a guest director of note curates the festival, showcasing their expertise in their respective field.
In 2016, Laurie Anderson directed the festival, while prominent figures such as Anish Kapoor, Brian Eno, and Vanessa Redgrave have also been past directors.
This festival is organized by the same company responsible for the Brighton Dome, the city’s leading arts venue where ABBA famously secured victory in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with their performance of “Waterloo.”
