Brighton is said to be England’s loveliest and liveliest city by the sea. Brighton is fun, cosmopolitan and uniquely eccentric all year round.
You can expect to see Regency architecture, a pleasure pier, the specialist shops, eat in pavement cafés, experience a lively arts scene and revel in a vibrant nightlife.
Everything is within walking distance and with the Sussex Downs and traditional English countryside, Brighton is a great base for exploring the surrounding region.
Places to visit...
Preston Manor:
Experience the charms of this delightful old Manor House which powerfully evokes the atmosphere of an Edwardian gentry home both 'Upstairs' and 'Downstairs'.
Home to the Stanford family for nearly 150 years, the house dates from 1250, was rebuilt in 1783 and added to in 1905. There are more than twenty rooms to explore over four floors - all superbly and lovingly renovated. From the servants' quarters, kitchens and butler's pantry in the basement, to the attic bedrooms and children's day nursery on the top floor.
Brighton Toy and Model Museum:
Visitors can explore the many cabinets showing beautiful Victorian dolls, their houses and furnishings, construction toys of many ages, tin-plate boats and ships by some of the world's finest toy makers, panoramas of farms and country scenes, enormous scale model aeroplanes and many more rare and valuable toys from all over the world.
Preston Park and Rock Garden:
Preston Park is probably the most well-known park in Brighton bring situated on the London Road and an important landmark for visitors travelling into Brighton from the north.
There are 63 acres of parkland incorporating beautiful bedding schemes which can be seen from the main road. There is also a formal rose garden, six bowling greens and 12 tennis courts in the park, plus a children's playground, a croquet lawn, a garden for the blind and a small pond with stepping stones.
The Rotunda Cafe is open Easter-end of October, 10am-6pm for those with an appetite.
How to get here:
By Car - North of the town, the A23 connects to the M23/M25 motorway while East-West directions are served by the A27.
By Rail:
It's just under an hour by rail from London using the Underground, or Tube. Brighton is just under an hour from London Victoria station, with two services running every hour. There are also regular services to Brighton from Bedford, London Kings Cross & London Bridge, as well as direct services from Scotland, the North West, the Midlands, the West country and South Wales.
Travel by Eurostar from France and Belgium to London Waterloo and then on to Brighton via London Bridge station, journey time approx 4 hours.
By Coach:
Express coaches from London to Brighton take about 2 hours. Regular National Express services also depart from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
By Air:
Brighton is only 30 minutes by road or rail from London Gatwick International Airport and just 90 minutes by road from London Heathrow International. Fast coach links are available between Heathrow, Gatwick and Brighton.
Photo courtesy of Brighton Tourism
