Brighton & Hove is a bustling and energetic seaside city with a truly cosmopolitan edge, with much to offer in terms of entertainment and living. Whether you are looking for shopping delights (The Lanes are a must, whether buying or browsing) to diverse theatre events and museums, Brighton & Hove has it.

 

It's hard to believe that Brighton & Hove was once a sleepy fishing village but the reality is that it wasn’t a popular destination until the late 1700’s. The popularity soared after this time and many believe it was due to George the Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV and settled here in 1978. Other Royal connections to Brighton have included Queen Victoria, William IV, Edward VII and King Charles II.

 

Brighton is in a fantastic location with easy access to the beach, shops and country-side. At, one point it was a fast portal to France by boat, and London is only around an hour away by train. It's layered with history and culture and this is most obvious through The Royal Pavilion, the two piers, West Pier and Brighton Pier (formally known as Palace Pier) and the well-known bomb attack on The Grand Hotel.

 

There's a wide range of properties available in Brighton from studio apartments to five bedroom plus detached houses, both new and old. So what's it that attracts people to Brighton and entices them to stay?

 

One of Brighton’s most famous landmarks is the Royal Pavilion which was built for George the Prince of Wales. He first visited Brighton in 1783 and by 1786 and took a lease out on a farmhouse with a sea view on the Steine. The architect Henry Holland was employed to enlarge and convert the farmhouse; and the Prince gradually bought the surrounding land as finances permitted. John Nash created an Indian inspired exterior with a Chinese influenced interior which was created between 1815 and 1822. By 1850, during Queen Victoria’s reign, the Royal Pavilion was sold to Brighton Municipal Authority and was opened to the public soon after with admittance free for two days a month. This building went on to play a major role in World War I as a hospital wing serving many troops. The gateway to the Pavilion was a gift from the people of India to thank Brighton for caring for its wounded soldiers. Today, the Royal Pavilion is accessible to the public, with the gardens to the rear available as public open space.

 

Other attractions to Brighton & Hove are:

West Pier – was built between 1863 and 1866 by Brighton West Pier Company but was closed in 1975 because the structure had become weakened.  It was awaiting renovation when a storm in December 2002 pulled the walkway into the sea.  Further collapses of the pier occurred in early 2003 then a fire broke out a few months later. The pier now remains as a skeleton.  The West Pier is a Grade One listed building

Brighton Pier – originally this was called the Chain Pier which was used as a ferry terminal with fast routes to Paris.  It was built in 1823 but destroyed in a storm in 1897.  Palace Pier replaced this.  After some troubles, the pier was opened to the public in May 1899.  The pier is a Grade 2 listed building and still receives many visitors for the attractions offered, both by day and night

Peace Statue - depicts an angel of peace, holding an orb and an olive branch. It is a memorial to Edward VII, 'The Peacemaker', who recovered several times in Brighton and restored some of the town's fashionable reputation

Sea Life Centre - When it opened in 1872 it contained not only marine exhibits, but also a reading room, restaurant and conservatory. It was an instant, fashionable success and within a few years was extended to include a roof terrace garden, roller skating rink and music conservatory.  In 1901 it was bought by the Corporation which completely rebuilt the exterior between 1927 and 1929.  The original landmark clock tower was not incorporated into the modernisation

There are at least eleven museums in Brighton & Hove ... click here to find out more.

 

Brighton & Hove have some amazing concerts and festivals throughout the year, which attract many from far afield. The most recent addition to their already action packed year is the Beachdown Festival at Devil’s Dyke on 22 - 25 August 2008. The Big Beach Boutique with Fatboy Slim is back at Brighton Beach on 27 September 2008.