If Brighton were a stick of rock, it would have GOOD TIMES! running right the way through it. With its perfect pebble beach, wall-to-wall live music venues and buzzing LGBT+ scene, there’s nowhere like it for topping up your Vitamin Sea levels. Start by dodging seagulls on the Palace Pier, then shop up a storm in the Laines, which are packed with independent boutiques, record stores and vegan eateries. Sit down to a zero-waste late lunch at Silo, and finish up with a couple of pints in the Brighton Beer Dispensary, which champions small Sussex breweries like the Hand Brew Co.
Brighton Palace Pier is a tough old bird. Having stood for well over a century now, the Grade II-listed pier has survived two world wars, a battering by storms (one of which almost destroyed it before it opened in 1899) and millions of visitors every year. Join the masses in a pilgrimage to the aracde games, fairground rides and chippy vans.
Much of Brighton oozes character and cool, but The Lanes are definitely leading the charge. These narrow streets are brimming with brilliant independent cafes, record shops, vintage emporiums, book stores and artwork – all housed in pretty sixteenth-century buildings. Wandering this maze of passageways is a great way to spend an afternoon.
The Sea Life centre in Brighton is in the world’s oldest operating aquarium. It was built in 1872 and as you enter you can see the stunning, original Victorian architecture – great Gothic arches reach up above the fresh- and saltwater swimmers. Continue your journey to see the impressive Lagoon populated with beautiful rays, the big fish displays and an interactive rock pool where you can touch a starfish or sea anemone. And you’ve always wanted to do that, right?
Talking of sophisticated, how about setting sail on the open seas off the coast of Brighton as the sun sets? You’ll be with a qualified RYA (Royal Yachting Association) instructor, so you can relax with a glass of bubbly and take as many cheesy photos as you like. If you’re feeling brave, your knowledgeable sailor will show you the ropes and let you take the helm of the yacht as part of the two-hour trip. Plus, if it’s warm enough, you’ll be allowed to take a dip, so pack swimwear.
This seafront exhibition centre and performance venue may not be much of a looker (unless you’re a fan of brutalist architecture) but it’s the place to go in Brighton if you’re looking for big-name comedy, music and theatre. Many of the UK’s larger tours head here, presumably undeterred by the venue’s history of hosting final acts: both Bing Crosby and The Jam performed their last concerts here.