You could be forgiven for thinking that you were in India when staring at the Royal Pavilion until the cool British weather reminds you that you are actually on holiday in Brighton. It has to be said that the Royal Pavilion is one of the major sights to see when on a tour of Brighton because it looks like a Maharajah's Palace with an exterior that resembles India's Taj Mahal. The Pavilion is where King George IV used to stay when he visited the resort but it's not just Royalty who have fallen in love with Brighton, visitors from all over the world descend upon this seaside city throughout the year due to the multitude of things to do and places to visit.
The main attraction is Brighton Seafront where you can prop up a deckchair and watch the world go by or go for a brisk walk along the promenade. Brighton has a pebble beach but if you have children desperate to unleash their buckets and spades, just wait until the tide goes out then the sand will appear ready for sandcastles to be built. Visitors of all ages will love Brighton Pier as it is full of amusements to entertain including the popular funfair located at the piers far end. Near to the entrance of the Pier you will find the Brighton Sealife Centre which is perfect for a rainy day.
There's nothing quite like shopping in Brighton and you shouldn't leave the city without visiting The Lanes. Here you'll find a maze of alleyways filled with boutiques, antique shops and places to buy that holiday souvenir for loved ones at home. You could get a tattoo, buy a one of a kind vintage t-shirt or even your first ever pair of vegetarian shoes! Fabulous cafes, bars and bistros can be found in The Lanes where you can fine dine with oysters and champers or nip to the takeaway for fish n' chips on the beach and a bottle of fizzy pop! Add to this a vibrant nightlife, fabulous gardens and top class venues for the arts and music and you've got one resort that you'll want to visit again and again!
Our if heights are more your thing, you can ascend the British Airways i360 to see wonderful views across the City and off out into the distance.
Tours to Brighton start from £99 per person and typically include; return coach travel, transportation whilst in the resort, accommodation in good standard hotels, meals and a variety of included or optional excursions so you can explore further should you wish to.
Tourist offices
For further information about Brighton you can visit the official tourist website at visitbrighton.com
Find out more
Things to do
Brighton is so big, it could actually rival London with regards to the sheer number of places to visit and things to do. Take a look at this for starters:
The Royal Pavilion
You'd be forgiven for thinking the Taj Mahal was actually located in the centre of Brighton. In fact, it's the Royal Pavilion, recognisable for its appearance both inside and out and a stunning display of architecture that has become one of Brighton's most iconic buildings. Built in 1787, it was designed by Henry Holland as a seaside retreat for the Prince Regent.
Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum
Set in the beautiful Sussex estate, Bentley is unique and offers a wide variety of things to do including a museum with a superb collection of vintage and classic cars, a wildfowl reserve, gardens, a beautifully furnished Palladian Mansion and not forgetting a collection of re-constructed prehistoric buildings amidst a woodland area.
Sheffield Park Garden
This is one of the country's finest historic gardens. 'Capability' Brown, Humphrey Repton, the Earl of Sheffield and Arthur G Soames developed this garden to what visitors enjoy today. This 120 acre landscaped garden, with its centrepiece of four large lakes, provides amazing reflections of colour and structure of all types of planting – perfect location for simply watching the world go by!
The Lanes
Once called the old fishing town of Brighthelmstone, The Lanes, is Brighton's historic quarter and is a maze of twisting alleyways, offering an eclectic mix of history and heritage amidst the antique, boutique fashion and jewellery shops. Four hundred year-old fishermen's cottages and flint stone exteriors sit alongside cosy pubs and brick-paved twittens. Wander through Black Lion Lane, allegedly the escape route of King Charles II, or meander into Quadrophenia Alley - a nod to the Mods and Rockers of the 60s and a key scene in the cult film 'Quadrophenia'.