Brighton: England’s most popular seaside destination

Brighton has been attracting holidaymakers for centuries. It mixes the best of a traditional holiday with its pier, seafront attractions, fish‘n’chips restaurants and Sea Life Centre with its modern shops, boho boutiques, buzzing nightlife, and an iconic masterpiece, the Royal Pavilion. Close to the beach, this city by the sea proves to be, by far, the most popular and best seaside destination in the UK, as well as a wonderful base for exploring the Sussex countryside.

Holidaymakers based outside the United Kingdom looking to explore the region and check out some of the area’s main attractions can find huge varieties of flights to this family friendly seaside destination. 

Sightseeing 

Designed by John Nash at his consumptive best, the Royal Pavilion is Brighton. The exotic domes and turrets on the outside are matched by the extravagance of the interior and the gardens provide a nice place to sit with a sandwich in summer. The city’s eclectic and interesting Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is also here. A stroll along the gaudy West Pier provides great offshore views of the city and a plethora of noisy seaside amusements, whilst Volk’s Railway, the first electric railway in the world, is an ideal way to see the beach without stumbling on the pebbles.

Escape

The main beaches between the piers get awfully crowded in summer, but head west to sedate Hove and you’ll find plenty of space to catch some rays. If you want to see the rolling Downs, jump on the No 77 open-top bus from the seafront to Devil’s Dyke for awesome views across the Weald and lots of ambling options.

Just 20 minutes by car or train sits Lewes, the county town of Sussex. Visit the ancient castle, genteel cobbled streets and fine antiquarian bookshops. The coastline further east is still spectacular. Walks along the cliff top at Seaford Head offer views of chalky headlands and stiff breezes to blow away cobwebs.

Eating out

The North Laine is full of hip cafés serving up cheap pies, cappuccinos, veggie dishes and full English breakfasts. The newly developed area around the award-winning library on Jubilee Street has urban eateries like Wagamama, Carluccio’s and YO! Sushi, whilst Bill’s produce store on nearby North Road serves organic delights.

For more refined dining, book a table at Hotel Du Vin for food that’s pricey but delicious, with service to match. Or try Gingerman – another award-winning eatery with two outlets in town. Veggies will be in heaven at Terre a Terre, probably the best vegetarian restaurant in the UK. Or for a real taste of the seaside, snag a bag of fish and chips from one of the chippies on the seafront.

After dark

Brighton’s renaissance as a place to be, led by trend-setters such as Fatboy Slim, Cate Blanchett, Patsy Palmer and Jordan, has been driven by its vibrant nightlife. The arches along the seafront house a mega-mix of eclectic and trendy nightclubs, and there are atmospheric old pubs a-plenty in the Lanes and the North Laine. For alternative nightlife head for Kemp Town, Brighton’s buzzing gay village which is friendly, flamboyant and usually great fun.

It’s the most popular beach in England, and is admired not only by tourists, but also by the many day-trippers, shoppers, locals and even those who come on business conferences.

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