Brighton is one of those must-visit spots in the UK which has bags of personality and whether you are there for a week or just a day there are tonnes of things to do!
Only 60 minutes from London by train the seaside town of Brighton is perfect for a break to refresh, revitalise and get away from everyday life. Records of a settlement in the Brighton location goes back to 1086 but it really came into its own in the Georgian era when it became a fashionable health resort centred around bathing in the sea.
Brighton reached the height of fashion when it came under the patronage of the Prince Regent, later to become King George IV, who spent a great deal of time at Brighton, culminating in the building of his Royal Pavilion.
Now Brighton is jam-packed full of attractions, restaurants and exciting nightlife for visitors to enjoy. Here are my top 5 things to do in Brighton for a first time visitor.
Brighton Pier
When I think of Brighton I automatically think of the Pier! This seaside town has had many piers over the years but the one remaining one is 524 metres (1,719 ft) long and is Brighton’s only non-derelict pier!
The pier was listed at Grade II in August of 1971 and of February 2001 it was one of 70 Grade II listed buildings and structures, and 1,218 listed buildings of all grades, in the city of Brighton and Hove.
Here you will find a domed amusement arcade and a range of fairground rides and roller coasters which visitors of all ages can enjoy from traditional fairground favourites to all the latest video games with many rides undercover not even the English weather can dampen the fun.
You will also find a selection of tempting treats on the pier with restaurants, bars and foodie kiosks selling a range of delights from fish & chips and hotdogs to doughnuts and churros. Learn more about what’s going on at the pier here.
Brighton Pavilion
As you already know King George IV very much favoured Brighton and he commissioned a grand Palace, the Royal Brighton Pavilion, which was started in 1787 and built in three stages.
Despite having never visited India, King George wanted his Palace to be built in the Indo-Saracenic style prevalent in India for most of the 19th century. The present-day domes and minarets were added when the building was extended by architect John Nash in 1815.
The interior is heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian styles with Mughal and Islamic architectural elements with astounding fabrics, furniture and artwork on display for visitors to marvel at.
The audio guide offers fascinating facts, background information, interview clips with curators and conservators, images and videos, I recommend it. This really is a one of a kind building and I recommend a visit for anyone who loves art, decadence and architecture. Learn more on the Pavilion’s website.
Volks Electric Railway
While you’re exploring the pier and beach why not take a ride on Volk’s Electric Railway? Volk’s is the world’s oldest operating electric railway having opened in 1883.
Designed by Magnus Volk who loved experimenting with electricity, telegraphy and telephony, the railway is made up of 1¼ miles of track between a mini station on the seashore opposite the Aquarium to the Chain Pier.
The train is powered by a 2hp Otto gas engine driving a Siemens D5 50 volt DC generator with a top speed of about 6mph. Volk’s Electric Railway proved very popular with the public and attracted many passengers who enjoyed touring Brighton’s seafront in the cars.
It still attracts passengers today, who love its vintage charm (like me!) You can ride the electric train between March and September for a small fee. I certainly recommend riding this dinky train to get an alternative view of Brighton’s beach and the City.
Brighton Sealife Centre
When I was younger my family took trips all over the UK and one attraction which never passed us by were Sealife Centres with a large array of aquatic wildlife on show and learning to be hand.
The Sealife Centre in Brighton does not disappoint and is divided into several sections highlighting life from all areas of the world’s oceans such as the Victorian Arcade (an amazing sight with both sea life and architecture on show), The Kingdom of the Seahorse, the Rainforest Adventure, the Ocean Tunnel and the Jurassic Seas exhibit.
The quintessential Sealife Centre Ocean tunnel is quite an experience with sharks (some big ones!), turtles, various fish and giant rays cruising around above our heads with the glass tunnel beneath them.
The Jurassic Seas exhibit has plenty of information about sea monsters that roamed the seas of Earth in the Jurassic period. I particularly enjoyed learning about the mudskippers and horseshoe which are closely related to their Jurassic ancestors.
Choccywoccydoodah
If you are a chocoholic then there is only really one shop you need to visit in Brighton: Choccywoccydoodah. I was so excited to visit this extraordinary chocolate shop having watched the TV series for some time.
This is no ordinary chocolate shop! Choccywoccydoodah offers an extraordinary array of edible treats from chocolate skulls, slabs of chocolate covered popcorn and amazing bespoke sculptural cakes with a bohemian style throughout.
Although I definitely advocate a visit be warned that the shop is usually pretty busy and the chocolates are pretty pricy but I can assure you that the quality is top notch.
Choccywoccydoodah started out with just a chocolate shop but have expanded with a ‘Bar du Chocolat’, a cafe where you can relax and enjoy the decadent experience with lots of sweet treats and hot & cold drinks.
