Holiday in Brighton, any recommendations?

[dave50]

My wife and I are going to Brighton for a week very soon and I was wondering whether anyone can tell me if I am going to be impressed, as we have never been before. We like going out for a drink, eating out, site seeing, walking, most things really. Any adivice?

[rowanwitch]

Its a day trip or weekend town really ...but worth a trip along coast to other resorts like eastbourne, and hastings... Devil's dyke is a nice trip on the open top bus as is Rottingdean for a ceream tea and you might be lucky and there will be a croquet match on in the gardens opposite Rudyard Kiplings house..., and if you are fit enough do the walking tour of the town as well... lunch at the marina while watching the boats come and go... and further out the walk along the Cuckmere to Cuckmere haven is nice

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

The short piece of road which runs down from the shopping centre to the seafront is fairly grotty, with sleazy-looking bars and nightclubs, tatty buildings and uninviting fast-food takeaways. Some people seem to build up a mental picture of Brighton based purely upon that area of the city. That's a great shame, because Brighton is possibly the best city in the UK (other than London), with loads of excellent bars and restaurants, together with excellent shopping opportunities and lots of good quality entertainment. It's also a great base for exploring the south coast.

The Brighton Pavilion is unmissable. Even if you've been round palaces and stately homes before, you won't fail to be blown away by the sheer opulence of the building:
http://www.brighton-h...ilion/Pages/home.aspx

Brighton's other main historic building is Preston Manor. It's frequently overlooked by visitors but it's worth spending some time there:
http://www.visitbrigh.../preston-manor-p52793

While The Lanes
http://www.visitbrigh...te/shopping/the-lanes
have long been known as an area for fairly classy shopping (and, these days, for lots of good bistros), the real gem for shopping has to be the North Laine area:
http://www.northlaine.co.uk/

[Buenchico]

A few personal recommendations:
A great pub (The Lion & Lobster)
http://www.yelp.co.uk...-and-lobster-brighton
A traditional boozer, with good Thai food (The St James Tavern):
http://www.qype.co.uk...-Saint-James-Brighton
For a decent Indian restaurant, try the Viceroy of India (Preston Street).
If you're feeling adventurous, there's some great gay cabaret at the Queen's Arms!
http://www.queensarmsbrighton.com/

There are frequent rail services along the coast, so that you can have a drink or two while exploring the area. Rail map here:
http://www.nationalra...London_South_East.pdf
Brighton covers quite a big area. You can buy a ticket for unlimited travel on Brighton & Hove buses for £3.30 from local shops. (Don't buy on the bus. You'll be charged £5.00). A weekly ticket costs £16.50 in shops. (Not available on buses). Those fares are cheaper (£3.00 and £14.50, respectively, if you buy online):
http://www2.buses.co.uk/tickets/saver.aspx
For westbound coastal travel Stagecoach South's Coastliner 700 service is worth considering:
18:04 Wed 11th May 2011

[Buenchico]

Oops!
The link was cut off:
http://www.coastliner700.co.uk/index.htm

Chris

[Marijn]

I went recently and loved it. Loads of places to eat out, you'll be spoilt for choice. Great theatre. Nice cinema. Brilliant comedy club called Komedia. Lovely, interesting shops, that even I liked, and I usually hate shopping. So many things to do, too numerous to mention. Have a great time!

[whiskeryron]

where's jjs contribution to this thread I'm surprised she's not here extolling the treats ( or threats) of Brighton. Ron.

[ladybirder]

You must come in May while the Festival is on. So much to do and see. Theatre, music, and artist's open their houses to the public at the weekends during May. Get a brochure from almost anywhere you'll be spoilt for choice.
JJ's probably stuck in Costco ron:-).

[Buenchico]

Further to Ladybirder's post, if you're in Brighton while the Festival is on, here's the programme:
http://www.brightonfestival.org/

[ladybirder]

Thank you chris.

[KUSTARD]

I don't know how old you so please forgive me. If it's applicable don't forget your bus pass. I was amazed to find that the tour buses let you on free!!
PS Don't forget to go to Beachy Head on one

[Jules001]

Not in Brighton itself, but in Goring by sea, easily done by bus - if this sort of things interests you, there is a church which has a replica of the painted ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. My Mum and Aunt went last year and they both said how beautiful it was and definitely worth seeing. If interested, details are here: http://www.sistinecha...h_Martyrs_Church.html

[dave50]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Sounds like we going to have a great time. By the way kustard we are only in our late forties so we wont need a buss pass yet but thank you anyway and we're not past doing a bit of a pub crawl round the best bars.