Aaron Ellis

Touristic Guide to Brighton, England Aaron Ellis

Touristic Guide to Brighton, England. Tourism. Brighton is without doubt Britain's most colourful and outrageous city. Here burlesque meets contemporary design; grotty hostels share thin walls with kinky boutique hotels; microbrewed ales share bar space with 'sex on the beach'; and stags watch drag. The city returned the UK's first Green Party MP, Valentine's Day is celebrated with unusual gusto, and according to the 2001 census, it has the UK's highest Jedi population. The highlight for the sightseeing visitor is the Royal Pavilion, a 19th-century party palace built by the Prince Regent, who kicked off Brighton's love of the outlandish. The boho vibe of North Laine and South Lanes is not to be missed either. Shop for vintage clothes, flick through crates of second hand vinyl, stock up on vegan treats or duck into a pub for a pint of Harvey's Sussex Ale. Brighton has a well-earned reputation for its gay-friendly scene too, especially in Kemptown. The summer and winter pride events attract huge crowds from all across the UK. There's a strong cultural streak here too, with heavyweight acts always passing through the ace Brighton Centre and cutting edge bands and DJs playing at venues such as Komedia. The Great Escape music festival sees the city taken over by independent artists for a weekend in May, turning Brighton into the hippest place in the UK. If all that partying gets too much, remember the rolling South Downs National Park is just a short drive or train ride away. And if you don't fancy a dip in the sea, the soon-to-be-reopened art deco Saltdean Lido will be a great way to soak your bones on a hot day.