Brighton is one of Britain’s most thrilling cities. In May, the city is host to the Brighton Festival, a world-renowned arts festival, this year curated by musician and broadcaster Nabihah Iqbal. There’s a vibrant music scene (The Great Escape Festival is also in May), plus some of the best shopping anywhere in the country. Add in the long beaches and the pull of the South Downs and you have a city with an awful lot going for it. We love it, and here are five reasons why.
1. Brighton’s beachfront
Brighton beachfront has been its key attraction, at least since the early 1700s when bathing in the sea was promoted as a cure for, well, almost anything. But in recent years, the seafront continues to be transformed. Sea Lanes, opening this spring, is a heated 50m outdoor swimming pool.
2. Explore the Royal Pavilion
Yes, it’s the most popular attraction in Brighton, but first-time visitors never fail to be left open-mouthed at the audacity and extravagance of the place. Built by Prince Regent (George IV), and transformed by John Nash between 1815 and 1823, the Royal Pavilion became a seaside pleasure palace renowned for its lavish furnishings and extravagant parties.
3. Shop the North Laine
Brighton has an abundance of independent boutiques, dedicated to almost anything you can imagine. The North Laine is a neighbourhood between the train station and the seafront filled with fashion boutiques, vintage clothing stores, bars, restaurants, coffee shops and comedy venues.
4. Cycle the South Downs
Rising above Brighton are the South Downs, a band of chalk hills that extends across southeast England. It’s easy to jump on a ‘Breeze up to the Downs’ bus service and within half an hour, you’ll be in the middle of the countryside of the South Downs National Park.
5. Join the festival fun
Brighton has long had a reputation for partying. There are dozens of amazing venues with music and comedy on most nights of the week. Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe in May is the cornerstone of the cultural year, but also Pride Brighton + Hove in August is the UK’s biggest LGBTQ Pride festival.
Stay at: YHA Brighton
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