Brighton Beach
Summer 2008 Sees Britain's Popular Town Thrive
The lively resort town of Brighton on England's southern coast may have been overlooked by the country's beach lovers in the past but, thanks to the rising cost of holidays abroad, it could be on course to make a comeback.
How to Get There
Not far from London, Brighton is accessible by both car and public transport, with bus the cheapest option overall.
Located on the First Capital Connect train line, Brighton is easily reached by rail from the nearby capital out of either London Bridge or Victoria stations. With reasonable ticket prices and London to Brighton just an hour by train, this is often the most popular route.
The Beach
Although it is pebbly, the long stretch of coast at Brighton ensures that it never feels too crowded, particularly to the west of the pier.
This atmosphere is enjoyably vibrant year-round thanks to the numerous shops, restaurants and takeaways (including the obligatory fish and chip places and ice-cream vans) that line the seafront, although it is obviously heightened in hot weather.
Relatively safe for swimming, the sea is nonetheless often cold even at the height of summer - this is England after all! There’s also a small man-made pool lined with sand to the south of West Street that's great for young children.
Where to Eat
Visitors hoping for something more glamorous than fish and chips on the beach will find a wealth of restaurants around the town. There are some great international (and affordable) eateries concentrated along Western Road and the streets leading down to this section of the beach. These offer a staggering range of cuisine, from Mexican to Lebanese.
Along New Street, there is a clutch of more expensive bistro-style restaurants with outside tables that offer al fresco dining through the summer and transform the center of town into a lively, continental resort.
Nightlife
In addition to its great selection of restaurants, Brighton has nightlife to suit every visitor, from old-fashioned English pubs to trendy cocktail bars, and the buzz of the eclectic crowd has created a justifiably good reputation for its entertainment.
In summer, outside tables around the Pavilion keep the town center lively after the restaurant crowds drift away, although it’s even more vibrant along the seafront.
Here, clubs and music jostle for competition at the edge of the beach and it’s not unusual to find revelers collected on the beach itself, drinking quietly with friends or lighting a fire and creating a larger, impromptu gathering that often goes on well after closing time.
Brighton’s beach scene is particularly renowned for its psytrance, with independent sound systems sometimes setting up popular free parties on the western edges of the seafront.
Brighton as the Sun Sets
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Crowds at the Pavillion
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The Beach
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