The sun has got its hat on, and there is plenty to celebrate in Brighton. The seaside is one of the attractions that draws tourists and locals at the mere glimpse of golden rays. However, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the seaside without getting your feet wet, and plenty of great boozers and eateries to tempt you!
Being a Brighton settler, I have lived here longer than anywhere else, and can wholeheartedly call it my home. I have seen many changes- businesses closing, the West Pier burning down, the resurgence of the Hanningtons Building into a trendy new lane, and a thriving street art scene which makes the city so welcoming and buzzing with energy. It’s no wonder that it attracts visitors all year round.
A day at the seaside is a day well spent. Sea air is good for the soul and the Brighton pebbles are arguably good for the soles. Excuse the pun! With countless restaurants and bars to pull up a pew and people watch, you could easily spend a two week vacation trying somewhere new every night along the promenade.
If you’re into live music, the Brighton Music Hall is for you – with plenty of outside seating and daily live singers, you can be prepared for table service with a smile. Further afield the grown ups (and plenty of kids) can be found (often afternoon bobbing to live DJs) at the Oh So Social bar, which also serves beach-friendly grub on its open air terrace.
You may want to reserve a spot for breakfast with a sea view- my personal favourite is Lucky Beach which does a hefty hangover veggie breakfast (meat eaters are catered for too!) or just grab some fish and chips from one of the many take-aways and enjoy them on a deck chair. Be warned of our over-enthusiastic seagulls though; they are particularly ruthless with ducking in and grabbing what they can get and can smell a snack a mile off.
One of our unique selling points is that the beach is lively all year round. Flanked by the marina and its giant Sunday car boot sale on the Kemptown side, which is a social institution, you’ll find it packed with buyers and sellers every week *unless it’s raining. You can even catch the Volks railway if you don’t fancy the stroll during the summer season. And on your return, either admire the beautiful people, or if you;re a member, pop in and smugly pose by the outdoor pool at our newest hotspot, Brighton Beach House which is part of the infamous Soho clan.
Hit the boardwalk and have a gamble on the tipping point machines on the Palace pier, or risk your breakfast on the Booster ride; or you may prefer the waltzers, or traditional merry go round which is back on solid ground and is a blast from the nineteenth century past.
The infamous Hove Beach huts are worth the stroll along the promenade, and you’ll often find weekend festivals, or at the very least, hula hoopers, yoga or bootcamp sessions and family picnics on Hove Lawns; and if you’re feeling really sprightly, keep on chugging and you’ll be reward with Hove’s spangly bar-restaurant. With its gleaming glass-fronted rooftop terrace, it’s a glorious place for breakfast, lunch or dinner and reserve a beach side seat for the best view.
To be honest, it’s the British Airways i360 which offers unparalleled views. Ideal for those who aren’t into fads, this curved pod was designed by the people behind the London Eye, and offers visitors a ‘vertical pier’ to experience 360-degree views across Brighton, the South Downs and the English Channel. Enjoy spotting many of Brighton’s landmarks and the expansive stretch of coast all the way from Seven Sisters cliffs to the Isle of Wight during a 30 minute trip in the spacious capsule, and if you’re anything like me, and like a glass of fizz, book up to enjoy three glasses from local sparkling wine producer Nyetimber. The knowledgeable Ambassador will host you for your trip, where you will taste Classic Cuvee, Rose and Cuvee Chérie, which *may give you wobbly legs when you land back on solid ground. But for a romantic, once in a lifetime experience, it’s a priceless memory of Brighton.
The next Nyetimber event is 24th June and includes a three course dinner. To book, click here.