Brighton is a beautiful and unique British destination. It is a progressive minded community known for its love of the arts, charming seafront, and gorgeous architecture. It is also noted for being one of the most LGBTQ friendly places in the UK. There are many wonderful things to do in Brighton, England and sights to soak in.

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How to Get to Brighton

Brighton is less than 50 miles south of London in the county of East Sussex. Ever the budget traveler, I chose the cheapest method to arrive: by bus. I should say that the train from London to Brighton is also not too expensive. You can delight in making the journey that countless have made since Brighton became a favorite seaside resort for Londoners in the early 19^th century.

Brighton Beach

Unlike typical sandy beaches, Brighton’s beach consists of pebbles. While it’s not the most comfortable to walk on barefoot, it is a charming beach nonetheless. Jutting out into the sea from Brighton’s beach is Brighton Pier, also referred to as the Brighton Palace Pier. With an amusement park, various shops, and eateries, Brighton Pier is a great place for wholesome fun and views of the water. I remember having my fill of delicious fresh donuts and classic British Fish and Chips.

Brighton’s Architecture

Simply walking around the city is a treat unto itself. Brighton has some truly beautiful architecture with a wealth of colorful pubs and shops as well as elegant white Regency era homes.

From ornate gazebos to elegant light fixtures…

… there are countless lovely details to observe.

The Royal Pavilion

The architectural crown of the city is undoubtedly the Royal Pavilion. This is truly one of the most unique buildings in England. This bizarre Western re-imagining of Indo-Islamic architecture was commissioned by King George IV (who was still the Prince of Wales at the time of its construction). Unfortunately (at least when I visited many years ago), you were not allowed to take photos inside. I do remember the interior’s rich colors and ornate decorations matching the exuberance of the exterior. Update: I stumbled across this great book where you can enjoy some more about this history as well as some photos of the beautiful interior.

The Lanes

You can find many unique shops with charming facades in Brighton. An area particularly known for its wide array of antiques, vintage items, and other goods is known as the Lanes. One of my favorite shopping experiences in Brighton was definitely Snooper’s Paradise: a large flea market with a huge array of antiques, clothing, furniture, and jewelry.

You can also find some impressive street art. The large colorful murals are a playful accent to the classic British architecture.

A Signature English Treat

There was one particular classic British food on my mind when I arrived in Brighton. I was eager to try English Cream Teas. The Royal Pavilion’s café is a great place to try English Cream Tea: a nice big pot of black tea served with fluffy scones, jam, and the signature British clotted cream. British food doesn’t exactly have the best reputation but in my humble opinion, from Fish and Chips, to Sunday Roast, to wonderful English Cream Teas, there are plenty of traditional British dishes that are absolutely delicious!

The White Cliffs of… Brighton?

Some may be familiar with the White Cliffs of Dover: tall dramatic white cliffs off the city of Dover in England’s southeast region. Brighton, also being in the southeast, shares some of this dramatic and beautiful geography. Walk along the grassy edge east of Brighton’s beaches and you will be greeted with these tall chalky cliffs skirting the sea.

Some Other Points of Interest

Among some other interesting things to see in Brighton: The Duke of York’s Picturehouse is one of the oldest cinema’s in the world. The West Pier is also a fascinating fixture of Brighton. Dating from the 19th century, this pier was greatly damaged in what is thought to be arson. For reasons unknown to me, the charred frame has been allowed to remain with no refurbishment for decades. It makes for an interesting and eerie silhouette off the city’s shore.

A fairly new addition to Brighton beach that wasn’t there when I visited is the Brighton i360: a huge observation tower stretching over 500 feet into the sky. There are also a number of renowned arts festivals in Brighton, namely the Brighton Fringe Festival: the largest annual arts festival in England.

There is a lot to see and to do in Brighton, England. This beautiful city holds a special place in my heart. It was the last stop of my first ever solo trip many years ago: an adventure that included London, Paris, the English Countryside and ended in this eclectic little city on England’s southern coast. It was a journey that would influence a love of travel and later lead to an adventurous nomadic life. I hope that many more travelers will visit Brighton, England and be as charmed as I was by this unique British city.