TRAVEL

TRAVEL

Bright town

Brighton has a fabulous beach, the UK’s most popular Pride festival, labyrinthian shopping lanes and the grandeur of an iconic royal palace

WHEN GEORGE, PRINCE of Wales known as rinny , later George I , first visited Brighton in 1783 to stay with his errant uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, it was just a small fishing village. And, what was to become the Royal Pavilion, was a humble farmhouse. George was drawn to Brighton as it was becoming a seaside retreat for the rich and notorious, keen to try various health remedies like sea bathing. He had a passion for the arts, fashion and architecture but also for other pleasures such as women, good food and drink. He died a very overweight and unhealthy man. isitors still ock to Brighton all year round for seaside fun, bright lights, culture, quirky independent shops and an inclusive LGBT community. And, of course, to enjoy the enormous eight-mile-long sweeping beach which is packed as soon as the sun comes out. It’s often the one you see on the news when there’s a heatwave.

Brighton is perfect for families as there’s something for all ages. If you walk along Madeira Drive parallel to the beach you could play cra y golf or go on the ip wire, take a ride on the olk’s Electric Runway or visit the famous pier. It’s becoming a city known for its aquatic sports sailing, surfing, diving and swimming with a new open water swimming centre being built. On land, beach volleyball is hugely popular.

Close to the burnt-out old pier on west beach is the controversial tourist attraction, the Brighton i360, a 162m moving observation tower which gives a bird’s eye view of the town and surrounding South owns. I wouldn’t say it blends in well with the grandeur of the regency seafront crescents and gardens but I suppose that’s not the point of it.

Also on the beach is the Beach Box Spa, a wood fired public sauna in three re-purposed horse boxes. There are outdoor seating areas, a fire pit, fresh water showers, a plunge pool and ice bath. And you can choose spa treatments such as leaf whisks, face masks, salt scrubs and ice balls. Winter is apparently the busiest time although they do shut during electrical storms and when winds are over 50 mph!

There’s a huge rejuvenation project underway along Madeira Terrace which will restore the area east of the seafront and improve access to the beach. The grade 2 listed Terrace has been an iconic part of Brighton’s seafront since the 18 s and the first phase involves 4 arches being restored into a viewing platform for events on Madeira rive below. At more than half a mile long it’s the longest cast iron structure of its kind in Britain and will be seriously impressive when it’s finished.

There are various art galleries and pop-up shops housed under the arches near the Terrace and then, of course, there’s the winding lanes famous for their quirky independent shops and the jewellery quarter.

May is the month for the Brighton Festival which includes music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and family events and takes place in venues all over the city of Brighton and Hove. Brighton ride is a riot of colour and carnival during the first week of August.

And, of course, no visit to Brighton is complete without taking a tour of the iconic Royal Pavilion. Because of George IV’s fascination with eastern culture, it’s a fanciful blend of Mughal-inspired architecture on the outside with its minarets and domes and incredible chinoiserie interiors. It really has to be seen to be believed.

Queen Victoria was never keen on the palace or the town, considering it too crowded so she sold the Royal Pavilion to the town in 185 . uring the first world war it was turned into a military hospital primarily for injured Indian soldiers. It must have been an ama ing place to convalesce under the incredible chandeliers and silver dragons. For the Sikh and Hindu soldiers who died from their wounds, the Chattri Indian war memorial marks the site of the funeral pyre, overlooking the town on the South Down Way. Further away near Lewes is Charleston House, where artists Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and others spent the war years painting on practically every surface, turning the house into a living work of art. There’s always plenty of exhibitions, workshops and performances to enjoy. And further east is Cuckmere Haven beach which is dominated by the stunning chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, also well worth a visit. The region is becoming very well known for being a leading producer of sparkling wine and no trip to Brighton would be complete without a visit to one of the many vineyards nestled in the South Downs’ chalky limestone hills. Sussex is home to around 50 wineries, more than any other county in the country. So don’t hang around, visit Brighton now!

www.visitbrighton.com www.charleston.org.uk www.brightonfestival.org