Brighton: England's hippest coastal town

Hugging the south coast of England, the city of Brighton has served as the seaside getaway for Londoners for years. Unlike many coastal resorts, it has boomed rather than declined over recent years as visitors flock to its clean beach, buzzing arts scene and youthful student population.

Some eight million tourists head to Brighton every year, a figure not affected by the catastrophic fire on the West Pier in 2006, while the autumn sees politicians attending annual conferences jostling for space with punks and fashionistas.

Location of Brighton

Brighton is located right on the south coast and is easily accessed from London, and therefore from the rest of the UK. As well as direct motorway access from the city to the M25, trains leave at regular intervals to London Bridge station, taking around 45 minutes, while several coaches a day make the trip for less money though in twice the time.

From further afield, the city has excellent connections with nearby Gatwick Airport, while the major ports of Portsmouth and Dover are around one to two hours away by car, allowing for easy access to the continent.

Why Visit Brighton?

Brighton is today is what all other English seaside resorts were like 50 years ago – exciting, loud and fun for all the family, as well as young adults looking to get [let] their hair down.

Not for nothing do so many celebrities choose to live in the city rather than in nearby London. As well as boasting some of the finest nightlife in the country, with strong indie rock and dance music scenes, over the past few years the centre has spruced itself up remarkably well, meaning visitors can now take in a meal at a contemporary restaurant or relax in a swanky bar before heading into the night to a superclub or sweaty concert venue.

However, it may appear late at night on a weekend, Brighton offers so much more than a sun-soaked destination for debauchery. The main attraction is the clean and bustling beach. Though stony rather than sandy, it still serves as the very heart of the city once the summer begins. The water is clean, and often warm enough to swim in, while donkeys and the yesteryear charm of the pier are sufficient to keep children of all ages entertained.

Just off the main waterfront stretch, the Lanes offers a village-like atmosphere with dozens of independent shops and coffee houses, leading on to the incongruous but nevertheless stunning Pavilion, which is always worth checking out.

Perfectly complementing the hustle and bustle of the city centre, the Downs just on the outskirts offer a peaceful retreat boasting stunning views over the English Channel and plenty of opportunities for bird and wildlife watching.