Brighton
England'S Best Known Seaside Resort, A Pebble Beach With The Palace Pier, The Regency Royal Pavilion Built For George IV In Indian Chinese Style, The Lanes' Independent Shops And A Lively Gay And Arts Scene. An Hour From London By Train, Packed On Summer Weekends, And The Beach Is Shingle, Not Sand · Brighton, England
Brighton is England's best-known seaside resort, an hour south of London on the Sussex coast, loud, colourful and a little shabby in a way that suits it. The Palace Pier is packed with arcades, rides and chip stalls, and the Royal Pavilion, built for George IV in an Indian and Chinese-inspired style, is ticketed and astonishing inside. Behind the seafront lie the Lanes and North Laine, tangled streets of independent shops, vintage stores and cafes. The beach is shingle, not sand: hard on bare feet, loud under the waves and very busy on hot weekends. The British Airways i360 tower lifts you up for a view along the coast. Brighton is famous for its gay and arts scene, with Pride in early August drawing huge crowds and prices. The sea is cold, even in summer, and swimming needs care. Seven Sisters cliffs are a short bus ride away. Trains run from London Victoria and St Pancras in about an hour.
Brighton seafront with the Palace Pier, the Royal Pavilion and the Lanes, on the Sussex coast about 85 km south of London, Brighton, England, United Kingdom
The beach and seafront promenade are FREE and open at all hours, though lifeguards patrol only in the summer season. The Palace Pier is open daily with long hours that stretch later in summer, and entry to the pier itself is free while the rides and arcade games cost money. The Royal Pavilion is ticketed and open most days, with later opening in winter and occasional closures for events; it is CLOSED on a few days at Christmas, so confirm hours. The British Airways i360 runs timed flights on most days, with weather closures in high wind. The Lanes and North Laine shops are generally open from about 10 am to 6 pm. Bars and clubs run late. Confirm all hours close to your date.