As some of the closest coast to London, Brighton’s seaside is always tempting — especially when you throw in the city’s famous quirky shops, vegan restaurants, boutique hotels, creative and alternative atmosphere, and attractions to suit pretty much everyone.
If you need any added motivation for a day by the sea, Brighton’s famous Festival of the Arts is back for its 51st year from May 6-28, with the Fringe running alongside from May 5 to June 4 as well.
With the theme of ‘Everyday Epic’, you needn’t pay a penny if you feel like taking part — although there are ticketed events galore, whether you love dance, theatre, film, music or are tempted by the talks.
Stroll down to the seaside and throw a coloured pebble onto Brighton beach as part of Spectra: Cast, to make the biggest canvas in town, with each stone’s shade representing a different artistic view.
From the traditional rides of Brighton Pier to the Sea Life Centre with its new ‘Claws’ exhibition, it’s easy to while away hours on the seafront wandering past the bright beach huts and artists’ shops right along the seafront to Hove.
The Volks Electric Railway, built in 1883, is closed until late summer, when it will start conveying visitors the mile from the Pier to the Marina again, if you don’t fancy walking.
Or enjoy some of the best views of the south coast from the British Airways i360, the world’s tallest moving observation tower which opened last summer. The pod rises 162m above the city, looking out to the sea and Sussex countryside — with sparkling wine to buy on board, or afternoon tea at the 19th century West Pier Tea Room on the beach next door.
For another famous blaze of colour, head to the Brighton Pavilion where the intricate decoration of the opulent rooms in George IV’s pleasure palace never stops being breath-taking. Pick up the animal-spotting trail if you’re visiting with kids, although everyone will want stop for a lie down on the carpet in the music room to appreciate the golden patterned ceiling.
Head back outdoors to amble through the Lanes for some of Brighton’s best-known independent shops, browsing homewares, fashion and vintage galore. Refuel at Terre a Terre, named Britain’s best vegetarian restaurant or Food For Friends, another award-winning veggie spot with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options too.
If you’re visiting in mid May, Weekend Without Walls features free dance, theatre, circus and song in two of Brighton’s parks with plenty for families. As the Great British seaside’s weather doesn’t always play along, the Theatre Royal also has performances of Jeramee, Hartleby and Oooglemore from The Unicorn Theatre group, perfect for little ones, as well as Julian Clary reading The Bolds books, with illustrator David Roberts drawing live at the Sallis Benney theatre nearby.
Throw in a stop at The Open Market with its food, art, crafts and antiques, a tour of the city’s historic sewers for the strong-stomached, the vintage penny arcade of the Mechanical Memories Museum and the stuffed animals of the eccentric Booth Collection, and you might discover you need more than one day.
For more information visit brightonfestival.org and visitbrighton.com
