Why this English coastal town should be on yourbrradar
The seaside resort town made famous when it was described inbrnovelist Jane Austen's well-known tome “Pride and Prejudice” has evolved overbrthe years into a cosmopolitan city while simultaneously retaining many of itsbrquaint and enchanting qualities. Brighton is often recognized in pictures featuringbrits pebble beach (comprised of more than 614 million stones) dotted withbrcolorful striped chairs and tourists and townies alike catching some rays onbrthe shore. Travelers often opt to visit London, Cambridge, Bath and Oxford whenbrthey head to England (and rightfully so — these cities are brimming withbrhistory, architectural grandeur and British charm), but Brighton's colorfulbrlandscape, museums and nightlife hotspots make it a unique cultural destinationbrworth checking out.
Sights to See
Brighton beach will undoubtedly be your first stop duringbryour trip. It truly comes alive in the summer, buzzing with activities likebrsailing, swimming and volleyball. Originally built in 1823, the city's famous Victorian-stylebrpier now combines its old-world charm with modern facilities like a Ferrisbrwheel, The Booster thrill ride, Palm Court Restaurant (where you can dive intobrthe classic British dish of fish and chips) and arcade center perfect forbrcapturing the attention of little ones.
Sneak somebreducation into your vacation with a visit to the Brighton Sea Life Centre,brsituated near the iconic pier. The aquarium — the world's oldest in operation —brhouses more than 1,500 sea creatures like giant turtles, sharks, crabs andbrstarfish. Also get up close and personal with stingrays, octopi, seahorses andbrclownfish (we know your kids will love finding Nemo). After you've had thebrchance to interact with some of these fascinating animals, head over to thebrRoyal Pavilion Gardens. The Royal Pavilion, known for being the palace ofbrGeorge IV, is home to magnificent furniture and works of art. The lush green gardensbrreflect their original Regency splendor and, in the summertime, are repletebrwith beautiful peonies, poppies, daisies, rosemary, roses, larkspurs and more.
Additionally,bra trip to Brighton wouldn't be complete without a stop over in the East Sussexbrcountryside — comprised of more than 14,000 acres in and around Brighton andbrthe surrounding areas. Continue your outdoor exploration by setting foot on onebrof the many walking trails in the South Downs National Park, Brighton'sbrUndercliff Walk or Stanmer Park. Be sure to take a guided tour with So Sussexbrif you'd like an expert to accompany you.
Another not-to-be-missedbrBrighton treasure is the Theatre Royal Brighton, which presents first-rate,brstar-studded West End productions throughout the year. From drama to comedy tobrmusicals plus ballet, opera and superb family entertainment, the theatre'sbrprograms are always hits with out-of-town visitors. VisitBrighton.com, BrightonPier.co.uk,brVisitSeaLife.com, RoyalPavilionGardens.co.uk, ATGTickets.com
Spend a Day in NorthbrLaine
This neighborhood of more than 400 shops, restaurants andbrentertainment venues is often referred to as Brighton's best-kept secret. Reminiscentbrof London's Notting Hill, North Laine is also known for being Brighton'sbrrelaxed, eclectic quarter. Conveniently located near the Brighton trainbrstation, North Laine literally has anything and everything, from tattoo parlorsbrand vintage clothing shops to pubs and arts and crafts stores, and you canbreasily spend a full day browsing the district. Grab an ice cream at GelatobrGusto, create a masterpiece at the Painting Pottery Café, browse the BrightonbrToy and Model Museum, and comb through the collection of home products atbrInHouse Space — we bet you'll find some unique finds to take home with you.brNorthLaine.co.uk
Put Your Feet Up
Less than a minute from the beach is One Broad Street, a boutiquebrbed and breakfast offering bright, airy rooms and cooked-to-order breakfastsbrmade with fresh ingredients found in the Sussex area. All guest rooms arebrensuite and feature five-star luxury hotel beds, wireless Internet, coffee andbrtea services and flatscreen TVs. Nestled on the seafront just opposite thebrBrighton Pier is The Granville hotel, Brighton's original boutique establishment.brIts 24 individually themed rooms, waterfront location and famous basementbrrestaurant Smokeys (known for its American-style brunch) make it a destination untobritself.
Ifbryou prefer something a little more upscale, try the Hotel du Vin, located abrstone’s throw away from the water. A uniquely sophisticated hotel, it featuresbr49 rooms with eccentric Gothic and modern Tudor touches. Or, if you truly yearnbrfor a bit of home-away-from-home familiarity, check into the Hilton BrightonbrMetropole, a stunningly picturesque building with a plethora of high-end rooms.brFamily rooms feature bothbra double and single bed, great for those with younger children. An expansivebrswimming pool, spa and sauna, in-hotel salon and fitness center make it anbrideal place to relax after a day exploring the city. OneBroadStreet.com,brGranvilleHotel.co.uk, HotelduVin.com, Hilton.com