Season: spring
Also known affectionately as London-by-the Sea, Brighton has a buzzing feel, with the beach’s appeal permeating the town and its fashionable boutiques and bistros, due to its proximity to them. Populated predominantly by young people, the promenade was shared on this re-visit by those exercising, like my interviewee Hannah and day trippers, who milled around the Brighton Wheel by the pier. There’s a rejuvenating feel to the town and beach, a real tonic.
The many faces of Brighton and its beach, according to Hannah.
Looking down on the busy scene at Brighton’s beach.
Season: winter
Brighton and its beachfront cool are legendary. Famous Brighton Pier serves as a backdrop, daytime traditional seaside fun mixing seamlessly with a night time, funky beach-side club culture. There’s a cosmopolitan atmosphere, but this is also a Blue Flag beach, where you can try your hand at one of the many water sports or sailing activities. After dark, Brighton’s seafront clubs and bars take centre stage, nestling underneath the Victorian beachfront arches, for some of the best club nights in the country. Highly recommended.
A view from under the Brighton Wheel.
Brighton beach is the life blood of Brighton. There are some excellent places in Brighton, like the Pavilion, Lanes/Laines and more but the hub has to be Brighton’s seafront. Regarded as the standard by which all other promenades were designed in Victorian times, the beach offers everything; somewhere quite, somewhere lively, it’s simply a nice place to be – even better when it’s on your door step.
I have always lived in Brighton and the beach is like home to me. It is childhood memories of rock pooling, Mr Whippy ice creams, playing in the waves, and cheese and pickle sandwiches. As I have grown up it has become the place where I feel most relaxed. I just love it and can’t imagine living anywhere else.