
1. The Royal Pavilion – A true Brighton icon, from the moment it first emerged from beneath its scaffolding in 1818, John Nash’s extraordinary oriental fantasy, the Royal Pavilion, has been inextricably linked with the identity of Brighton. It has become one of the most instantly identifiable architectural images in the world. It takes its unique character from the man for whom it was built, George IV, and its magnificent interior is a reflection of his personality and Regency reign. It was conceived as a monument to style, finesse, technological excellence and above all pleasure. It remains unequalled in its colossal ambition and glorious sense of joie de vivre. The Royal Pavilion's lavish interiors combine Chinese-style decorations with magnificent furniture and furnishings. Adorned with gilded dragons, carved palm trees and imitation bamboo staircases, the Palace's unique style mixes Asian exoticism with English eccentricity. Daring and inventive colours feature throughout, and there are many original items on loan from HM The Queen. www.royalpavilion.org.uk
2. The Pier
- Brighton Pier was opened in grand ceremony on May 20th 1899.
Initially the pier consisted of a building with minaret corner towers
housing dining, smoking and reading rooms and its first concert hall.
By 1911, the concert hall had become a theatre attraction. 21 years
elapsed before the next major phase saw the addition of a big wheel,
heralding an extension to the piers' length and a widening of the
promenade. In 1984, the pier was destined to be revitalised under new
ownership.
Today at 1,722 ft long and acknowledged as the finest pier ever built,
Brighton Pier (a Grade 2* listed building) is a great attraction for
the city of Brighton. New for 2006 are two rides “Booster” and “Super
Booster”!
Super Booster – the ultimate thrill ride – 0-60mph in less than 3
seconds, stands at over 125 feet tall – four brave passengers will be
lifted to 38 metres with only the sea beneath them and dropped -
Swinging through the air at 60mph! The only ride of its kind in the UK!
Booster – On this ride experience the force of over 3.6G’s in 2.8
seconds! At over 130 feet tall and rotating you 360 degrees through the
air.
For a range of rides from the traditional to white knuckle experiences,
Brighton Pier is a great day out for everyone www.brightonpier.co.uk
3. Shopping in North Lanes – Once the heart of the old fishing
town, Brighton's ‘historic’ quarter is a maze of twisting alleyways
with an eclectic mix of antiques, jewellery, interior design and famous
labels. In the hidden squares, elegant arcades and winding passages,
you can find bespoke perfumes and fragrant herbs mixing with freshly
roasted coffee and the aroma of Italian cooking. Just a short walk from
the sea front and the Royal Pavilion, you can soak up Brighton's
history in the graceful Regency architecture, 400 year old fishermen's
cottages, quaint old pubs, brick-paved streets and flint stone walls.
Coffee (and tea) culture has hit The Lanes in the chic new cafés and
there are plenty of eating places from seafood specialities to gourmet
vegetarian. Whether it's serious shopping you're after or a relaxed al
fresco lunch, The Lanes has a distinct, cosmopolitan appeal.
Bordering The Lanes and the North Lanes is North Street, the main 'high
street' that runs through the centre of Brighton. Here you can find the
usual shops such as Mango, Snappy Snaps, Body Shop, The Pier and Boots
alongside a few more unusual stores.
4. Komedia - In the last 12 years Komedia has grown from an 80
seat venue, hosting novice performers such as Graham Norton and the
League of Gentlemen, to become a producer of distinctive live and
broadcast entertainment and the operator of one of the UK’s leading
live entertainment venues. Brighton's premier live entertainment venue
presents one of the largest, most diverse arts and entertainment
programmes in the UK. Every year putting on around 700 performances of
music, comedy, cabaret and theatre and most nights of the week there
are at least two shows to choose from.
All taking place under one roof, Komedia incorporates a café bar, a
foyer bar, two exciting main performance spaces with flexible set-ups,
a small-scale occasional performance space, and a kitchen serving
freshly prepared food.
Its programme features the very best of international and national
performers and includes a unique range of Komedia-grown resident shows
such as the Krater Comedy Club, Voodoo Vaudeville and the Treason Show.
Arrive early and have a pre-show drink in Komedia's Foyer Bar in Regent
Street or try its free Saturday jazz afternoons in the bar from
November, where you can enjoy a drink and choose from our freshly
prepared menu, and look out for other evening events in the future.
Komedia is situated in the North Laine, in the heart of Brighton's
Cultural Quarter, with the Café Bar on Gardner Street and the main
entrance for shows on Regent Street. Just a two minute walk from
Brighton's Royal Pavilion and very close to Brighton Station. Car
parking in available 24 hours a day at the NCP North Road and Church
Street carparks, both within a two minute walk of Komedia. Book online
for no booking fee at www.komedia.co.uk.
5. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery - Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
has been transformed by a £10 million redevelopment.
Dynamic and innovative new galleries provide greatly improved access to
the Museum's nationally and locally important collections. Objects are
displayed in stimulating contexts with a wide range of interpretative
techniques, including the latest interactive information technology.
Facilities include: the Museum entrance in the Royal Pavilion gardens
with a spacious foyer and shop; improved disabled access; new education
facilities with an art room and a dedicated education 'pavilion'.
The Museum has worked with community groups to broaden access to its
collections and services. A Hindu shrine in the World Art gallery
created with the local Gujarati community, and oral histories of local
people are examples of these collaborations. www.brighton.virtualmuseum.info
6. Joogleberry Playhouse - Open since 2002, this is brainchild
of sister and brother Sue and Geoff who sat up late plotting and
planning a way to make music heard. Pooling resources, skills and
experience the two along with Perry, partner of Geoff, set off on a
mission to find a new music venue for Brighton. Searching high and low
for the right place to spread the Joogleberry magic they finally
stumbled across a crumbling but beautiful listed building in the heart
of Brighton. Defying all odds and with the help of a fantastic bunch of
trades people and friends they have rebuilt and renovated 14 - 17
Manchester Street into the fabulous Joogleberry Playhouse. For more
details on its programme of events log on to www.joogleberry.com Doors
open at 8pm for all events, show at 9pm. Tickets available in advance
for some events: call 01273 687171 Advance booking recommended at
weekends
7. A day at the beach – Start with The Artist Quarter, an eclectic
collection of over 20 artist's workshops who have congregated along the
seafront to the west of Brighton Pier. The workshops incorporate a wide
range of styles and materials for their work the displays range from
stained glass and oil on canvas to batik and wrought iron work .Here is
a chance to see the artists, ask questions and purchase original works.
Follow this up with a ride on the carousel, a picnic on the beach with
a collection of goodies from Kemptown deli’s Bona Foodie or The Cherry
Tree. Then finish off the evening in style with a sun downer in Gemini
or one of the many beachside bars.
8. A ride on the open top bus to Devils Dyke - Brighton and Hove buses
run an open-top vintage bus up to Devil's Dyke as a regular service
called ‘Breeze up to the Downs’ it is a network of three bus services
linking the city with some of its most popular countryside
destinations. Service 77 is an open top bus. Full details are on the
bus company website www.buses.co.uk Prices on Service 77 to Devil’s
Dyke and Service 79 to Ditchling Beacon are £2.50 single and £4.00
return (or "SuperSaver"). The fare on service 78 is £1.50 single or
£3.00 return ("CitySaver") Make sure you take a kite.
9. Watching the starlings swoop around West Pier at dusk – This really
is bird watching with a difference, every evening like clockwork, at
dusk a black cloud descends over Brighton. The starlings put on an
extraordinary aerial ballet as tens of thousands of them come together
in wheeling and swooping in unison.
Come and marvel at this spectacle in the skies above the beach
10. Sea Life Centre - The Brighton Sea Life Centre offers a fun
and educational day out. With over 150 species and 57 displays
including giant turtles and sharks glide above you in an underwater
tunnel. Admire the shark encircled wreck and tropical coral. New for
2006 is VENOM!! Come face to face with your phobias and stand just
inches away from some of the world’s most venomous sea creatures,
including Jelly Fish, Poison Arrow Frogs, Lion Fish and Sea Snakes.
Daily talks and feeding is available. Open: Daily from 10am. Please
telephone centre for last admission times. Open 364 days a year (closed
Christmas day).
Admission: Adult: £10.95, Child: £7.50 (3-14 yrs), Family: £34.90,
Senior Citizen: £8.50, Student with NUS: £8.50 Telephone: 01273 604234
Web: www.sealifeeurope.com








