Brighton (England) Sights

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Brighton Pier

Burned remains of the West Pier

The Flamboyant Royal Pavilion

• Brighton Pier www.brightonpier.co.uk aka the Palace Pier has all the usual seafront arcade attractions. There is also the wreck of West Pier which was derelict for some time before finally burning down recently. Brighton Pier is all owned by the same company, so there's no real point shopping around for bargains on it (unlike other UK piers); but this does mean it has forced off threats to close it.

• Brighton Beach. In the summer, the pebble beach is covered in tourists and Brightonians alike. Poi twirlers strike a beautiful image against the sunsets. To the east of Brighton there is a designated nudist beach. The pebble beach gives way to a flat sandy seabed just below mid tide line so time your swimming to the low tide and avoid the painful feet.

• The North Laine. A wild nest of alternativism, The North Laine area is walked by dreadlocked hippies, bright colours, punks, goths and oddballs. The shops sell everything from bongs to magic potions, from giant wooden hands to fairy wings and from bagels to fire staffs.

• The Lanes -an adjacent area of small shops, the tumbled street plan reflecting the layout of the original fishing village of Brighton which was located here. The merchandise is more mainstream, although the Lanes are known for their wide selection of antique shops.

• Sea Life Centre, www.aquariauk.com/brightn.html. An aquarium with walkthrough underwater tunnel, adjacent to Brighton Pier. This is the oldest working Aquarium left in the world.

• The Royal Pavilion, www.royalpavilion.org.uk, open daily October-March 10am-5.15pm (last tickets 4.30pm), April-September 9.30am-5.45pm (last tickets 5.00pm), closed from 2.30pm 24 December and all day on 25-26 December, admission £8.80 adults, £5.10 children, other concessions available, tel 01273 290900 - An interesting architectural attraction, transformed between 1815 and 1823 by the architect John Nash, at the direction of the then Prince Regent (later King George IV), into a sumptuous pleasure palace by the sea. The exterior has an Indian theme, whilst the interior was decorated with Chinese decor. Guided tours available and well worthwhile.

• Kemptown Brighton's gay village that owes the city the title of 'Gay Capital of Britain' is a short walk east of the city centre, not only does it cater to the LGBT community but also is home to a wealth of restaurants and cafes.

• Theatre Royal, Pavilion Theatre, Corn Exchange Theatre, Dome Concert Hall Theatre and music venues all located in the 'Cultural Quarter' that encompasses New Road, Jubilee Street and parts of North Laine.

• Brighton Museum and Art Gallery An interesting Museum and history, culture and art to do with Brighton and beyond. An excellent permanent collection as well as brilliant exhibitions from international artists.

• Toy and Model Museum A little, unknown museum hiding under the viaduct of Brighton Station.

• Komedia Major comedy club in North Laine.

• Brighton Marina with boats, pubs, restaurants, a supermarket and even a hotel.

• Volks Railway volkselectricrailway.co.uk The first public electric railway in the world, opened in 1883, runs from the Aquarium at Brighton Pier to Black Rock near the Marina (operates April to September).
• Fabrica, www.fabrica.org.uk. Contemporary art gallery that specialises in new comissioned site specific work. As an artist led space this is a unique venue in the southeast that shows important new works by international artists. Fabrica is not a selling gallery but a place that offers access to exciting large scale work and media installations. It is housed in a renovated church on the corner of Ship St and Duke St in the City centre, entrance is free.
• Lighthouse Another contemporary art gallery located in Kensington Street, North Laine. Like Fabrica it has no permanent collection and is purely artist led. The gallery itself is a the site of a disused warehouse.
• Grand Parade An art gallery located in Brightons most central university campus. The gallery often has exhibitions of students work as well as a wealth of international artists. It is located near St. Peter's Church just north of the Old Steine.
• Phoenix Another art gallery housing works from artists from all over the world. The gallery is in quite a central part of the city and is right next to Grand Parade.
• Ink D A small but trendy little space that exhibits obscure artists works as well as design. It is located at the bottom of North Road, North Laine.

• Jubilee Square A modern redevelopment in the heart of Brighton's North Laine. As well as the location of the magnificent Jubilee Library, the square also offers upmarket restaurants and cafe culture.

• Roedean School, Roedean Way, one of Britain's most famous and expensive girls' schools, the huge stone building looks out across the Channel.

• University of Sussex. Spacious campus with notable architecture by Sir Basil Spence. (Three stops from Brighton Station on the line to Lewes).

• www.brightonpier.co.uk
• www.aquariauk.com/brightn.html
• www.royalpavilion.org.uk
• volkselectricrailway.co.uk
• www.fabrica.org.uk