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brighton

Brighton

It was the patronage of George IV that began Brighton 's rise in popularity, when he began regular visits with his mistress. The town grew rapidly as seaside holidays became fashionable, and its proximity to London made it a natural choice of the well-to-do. Upmarket hotels and restaurants appeared, and the wonderfully ornate Royal Pavilion was built in the early 19 th century. A visit to this indulgence of the Prince Regent, with its domes and pagoda's, is an interesting, if somewhat expensive, exercise in time travel.

 

A few minutes away is the Palace Pier, stretching out into the sea, and today covered with amusement arcades and a funfair.

Modern day Brighton is a far cry from its Victorian heyday, but it is still a busy, lively, city, much visited, and still retaining a certain elegance. The university and language schools have made it something of an anomaly amongst south coast resorts. It is unmistakeably a young persons domain, and the complete opposite of many of its neighbours such as Eastbourne and Hastings , which are predominantly retirement havens.

There is a thriving nightlife, superb array of bars and restaurants, and a sizeable gay scene.

Within striking distance are the picturesque Sheffield Park , with its gothic mansion, and the preserved steam trains of the Bluebell Railway.

To the west, the medieval town Arundel, with its impressive castle overlooking the river, is worthy of note.

Read more about Brighton.