The intoxicating aroma of the sea air provided an
exhilarating punch as I walked along the prom watching the waves crash as they
hit the pebbly beach. True it was cold and the sun was only making small guest
appearances but nevertheless it felt invigorating to be in Brighton.
A stroll on the renowned Brighton Pier is a prerequisite of
a trip here. A ride on the dodgems, a flutter on the slot machines all seem
part and parcel of a day at the English seaside.
Chances are, like me, along with sampling some fish ‘n’ chips, and a trip to Brighton’s
Lanes (where the fishermen once lived), its renowned shopping area, is
how you while away a typical day here.
 |
| Brighton beach |
Of course, meandering round the labyrinth of narrow streets awash with jewellery shops and
boutiques is a great way to
indulge yourself. Even if you are not a chocoholic, the incredible window
displays at Choccywoccydoodah will lure you inside to sample their goodies.
Most day trippers don’t venture to North Laine –
separate from The Lanes – but you will miss a real treat if you don’t
go. It’s the place to immerse yourself in street art. Look out for Banksy’s
piece of two policemen kissing.
From 1940s fireplaces to vintage clothes, to vegetarian
shoes and sweets from around the globe, this is the edgy part of town. The
roads bustle with an array of independent shops that cater for a wide range of
tastes. Tribeca in Bond Street is the place to head for chic and elegant
clothes.
 |
|
The Royal Pavillion
©Adam Bronkhorst |
You should pepper your retail therapy with a dollop of
culture. The Royal Pavilion, Brighton’s icon, is an essential stop. The glitzy
pleasure palace of the Prince Regent, who later became George lV, was
redesigned by architect John Nash over a period of seven years starting in 1815
and was transformed into a palace to be proud of. An Indian exterior collides
with a predominately chinoiserie-style interior, it is hard not to be impressed
with its opulence.
George first visited Brighton in 1782 and his love of the
town helped to cement Brighton’s reputation as a fashionable seaside resort.
Although it is thanks to Dr Richard Russell and the health claims of his
seawater cure in 1750 that morphed Brighton from a small fishing town into a
place that attracted the aristocracy.
Not only did Russell think it was a good idea to drink the
salty water, he also advocated bathing in the sea. Bathing machines were used
to pull people out to the water while the role of dippers for the women and
bathers for the men was to immerse them.
 |
| The Lanes
©Adam Bronkhorst
|
The Royal Pavilion was used as a Royal Residence until the
mid 1800s when Queen Victoria decamped to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Make time to go the council-owned Brighton Museum and Art
Gallery, a quick walk through the Pavillion Gardens. Salvador Dali’s Mae West
lips sofa, the Egyptology collection and the Fashion and Style gallery are
among its star attractions.
Also pop into in SEA LIFE Brighton. Built in 1872, it is reputed
to be the world's oldest operating aquarium. Don’t forget to stop and admire
the Regency squares and architecture as you wander round this compact city. If
your feet start to give way, you can always take a ride on the Brighton Wheel
to admire the city from up high.
Brighton may have gained a reputation for its nightlife –
the arches under the beachfront are home to some of the best places – but if
clubbing and music bars are not your thing, you will find plenty of other
activities to keep you busy.
There is a plethora of restaurants catering for every
pocket. From vegetarian to Lebanese, you are never going to go hungry in
Brighton. And when you need a caffeine injection you won’t be short of coffee
shops in which to spend an hour or two. As well as the usual chains
there are plenty of individual ones. It seems the residents of Brighton can’t
get enough of the stuff.
Sea air always makes me feel famished so I was rather
looking forward to dinner. The famed Grand hotel on the seafront where we were
staying, may offer the best afternoon tea in town, but its fish restaurant is
well worth a visit.
What I like about Brighton is that it can be just a day trip
to the seaside but it can also be so much more. From lively festivals to
thrilling theatre, it’s the perfect pick-me-up any time of year from the hustle
and bustle of everyday life.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
Southern operates a frequent service from London Victoria.
Southern provides services in south London and between central London and the
south coast, through east and west Sussex and Surrey and parts of Kent and
Hampshire. For more information visit southernrailway
Stay at the Grand www.grandbrighton.co.uk
