Bright days in Brighton

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/08/2023 (957 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As a travel writer who likes to glean tips from locals, I’ve received plenty of colourful advice over the years. But nothing quite as memorable as the woman at London’s Twinings Tea shop, when I mentioned I’d be heading down to the coast. She shared this with me: “Well if ya haven’t tussled with a gull on the beach for a chip, then you haven’t really lived now, have ya?”

With those wise words, the tone was set for an unforgettable trip to a charming seaside locale 80 kilometres due south. Brighton – the amalgamation of the towns Brighton and Hove – is a popular resort city for both global tourists and U.K. residents. Less than an hour from London by train, it’s where coastal vibe meets casual cosmopolitan, and is known for things like quirky shopping, fabulous food, and art that is everywhere. Literally.

Brighton Street Art Tour is a two-hour excursion lead by graffiti expert REQ – the guy behind many major murals here. It’s fascinating to explore the streets, lanes and alleyways for a close-up look at the city’s eccentric graffiti scene. Waiting to be discovered is a plethora of hidden gems amongst more prominent commissioned pieces, such as Dead Rock Stars, which spans the side of the Prince Albert pub. Artists from around the world come here to paint, including Ola Volo from Canada, who contributed a mural based on the Joker from her Queen’s Court series.

Active travellers are drawn to Brighton as a hub for day-tripping. Brighton Beach Bikes near Brighton Pier is perfectly situated for rentals, with a nearby cycling path extending along the beach in both directions that allows riders to traverse 16 kilometres without crossing an open road. Head west towards Hove, and you’ll reach lengthy rows of colourful beach huts along the shore. Go east towards the marina, and you’ll be cycling along the famous white cliffs that start here and stretch all the way to Dover.

Brighton Yoga is a cozy studio in the North Laine district, and your stop for a fun Pilates class which tones, strengthens, and energizes from head to toe. In addition to indoor classes, they offer outdoor yoga by the seaside, and forest bathing in ancient woodlands and wildflower-filled meadows.

The best place to stay is Q Square Aparthotel, part of Supercity Aparthotels, which has nine locations in Great Britain. They offer all the friendly comforts of home in the heart of the city, and the Brighton location is walkable to shopping, dining, coffee houses, the beach, train station, and pretty much everything. It’s perfect for temporary visitors looking for relaxed living spaces, people who stay for extended periods of time, and anyone looking for that homey feeling far from home.

Sea Life Brighton, which opened in 1872, is the world’s oldest aquarium. The stunning interior features archways and columns influenced by Gothic and Pompeian design, and statues made from granite and marble. Aquatic tenants include fish, turtles, seahorses, octopuses, and the U.K.’s largest collection of sharks and stingrays.

The best view in town is atop the iconic Brighton i360. The 162-metre tall seafront observation tower has a fully-enclosed giant glass pod that holds up to 200 people at one time. It carries passengers to a height of 138 metres while slowly revolving to reveal stunning 360-degree views. For a few moments, there I was — ascending higher than all the birds that soar above the shoreline — including the gulls, who relentlessly circle above, awaiting their next tussle with an unsuspecting tourist.

Because even gulls know there is nothing like enjoying British chips on the beach.