The City of Brighton and Hove is a modern, vibrant, cosmopolitan “City by the Sea”, situated between the beautiful South Downs and the Sussex Coast approximately 60 miles due south of the United Kingdom capital, London.
Brighton has long been one of the UK’s biggest and most fashionable seaside towns and is a popular tourist resort with many hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities together with a considerable business conference industry.
Originally known as the modest fishing village of Brighthelmstone, this city has strong connections with the past with its regency architecture, Victorian Sea Life Centre, Brighton Pier, and of course The Royal Pavilion. By 1825 after Dr Richard Russell extolled the virtues of bathing in and drinking seawater, Brighton was born as a fashionable seaside resort.
Now it is a contemporary metropolis, with diverse shopping from Churchill Square and Western Road, to The Lanes and bohemian North Lanes, London Road and St James Street, Church Street and George Street in Hove. There is a new state of the art Library, restaurants, bars and clubs to suit every taste, theatres, cinemas, 10-pin bowling and casinos. In addition there are 2 universities, and a wide variety of sporting activities, including successful cricket, and football teams, and even a racecourse and greyhound stadium.
Another unique and historical attraction is Volks Railway, the oldest operating electric railway in the world. Created in 1883 by Magnus Volk, this 1 ¼ mile track links the Aquarium and Pier with Brighton Marina, with a half way stop near the children’s playground.
This year Brighton & Hove have been awarded its first ever Blue Flag award for its beaches at Hove Lawns and West Street. These guarantee that they are litter free and have clean swimming water. There is also a discreet naturist beach at Dukes Mound near Brighton Marina.
After a visit to Brighton Pier what better way to continue than with a stroll along the beachfront and down to the boardwalk. Here you can find the artists’ quarter and fishing museum. There is a traditional carrousel and various bars, clubs and restaurants under these historic arches. Further along the seafront you will discover a children’s playground, paddling pool and volleyball court.
From here you come face to face with the remaining wreck of the West Pier. This was originally built in 1866, has been lying derelict since 1975, and was destroyed by arson attacks in 2002. Although certain pieces from this Grade I listed building were removed and have been kept in storage.
However, the exciting news is that work is due to commence at the end of July on this site for the groundbreaking Brighton Eye. To be built at the shore end of the wrecked pier, the i360 (as it is also known) will have a 172 meter high needle tower, with an ascending and descending circular viewing platform with a capacity for 125 people. It will be Britain’s highest observation tower with breathtaking views along the coast, across the South Downs and across the Channel. Completion of this exciting and innovative construction is scheduled for 2009.
