Day Trip to Brighton from London
Brighton is the perfect place for a day trip from London. Located on the south coast of England in Sussex, it is the most popular seaside destination in England with thousands of visitors flocking to Brighton beach in the summer months. Brighton has gained a reputation as being a vibrant and youthful city with lots of bars, restaurants, concerts and shows. Highlights of a day trip to Brighton include The Royal Pavillion for a taste of Royal Victorian era Britain, Brighton Pier which hosts popular rides for kids and the i360 Observation Tower, offering sweeping panoramic views over the city and the surrounding Sussex coastline. The Lanes is a very famous area of Brighton with lots of little independent and quirky shops.
Brighton makes for a perfect day trip from London located just a 1 hour train ride from the capital.
getting there:
Brighton is conveniently located just 1 hour from London by train. There are regular departures from London Victoria station, which is one of the major train stations in the capital. Make sure you buy your train tickets in advance, because the prices can get very expensive the nearer you get to your travel date.
The Royal Pavillion:
The Royal Pavillion
Start your Brighton day trip from London with a visit to the Royal Pavillion. This beautiful building was built for George IV in 1787 into a spectacular summer home for the Royal Family. The Royal Pavillion is an architectural masterpiece influenced by the Indian style. It’s a great place to get a feel for the Victorian-era with grand rooms like the grandiose banqueting room, the great kitchen, the music room as well as the gardens and the estate. The Pavillion houses an impressive collection of artwork on loan from The King as well displaying elegant furniture and Regency items. The Royal Pavillion Tearoom serves a wide selection of afternoon teas.
Website: http://brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion/
Brighton Pier:
A short walk from the Royal Pavillion is Brighton Pier, which dates back to 1899. One of the top places to visit in Brighton, this Victorian pier has become one of the trendiest places in the city, and is renowned for its amusement arcades, perfect for kids! Dotted in between the arcades are places to eat and drink as well as many attractions and rides.
Website: www.brightonpier.co.uk
lunch & shopping: the lanes
For those looking for unique shopping experiences, The Lanes is a famous area of Brighton that has over 300 quirky little shops ranging from jewellery and fashion to chic furniture design stores. What gives this shopping district its character are the narrow little alleyways and narrow streets that connect the shops.
British Airways i360 Observation Tower:
Start the afternoon of your day trip from London by soaring 450 feet into the sky on the world’s tallest moving observation tower. The i360 Observation Tower was actually designed by the same architect that created the London Eye, and you can see many similarities between the two structures. Visitors can take in the breathtaking 360 views of over 66 miles of coastline, from the South Downs to the Isle of Wight.
Top tip: Brighton’s weather is unpredictable, and is often cloudy and overcast. If the weather is overcast, there’s really nothing to see from the observation tower!
Website: http://britishairwaysi360.com
Brighton Beach:
Brighton Beach
The i360 Observation Tower is located next to Brighton Beach. A great place to just sit and chill out during the summer months. The beachfront promenade is home to a number of restaurants and bars, as well as the artist’s quarter.
Top Places to Visit in Brighton:
Entertainment & Night Life:
Brighton is renowned for its cultural scene, with great bars, restaurants, concerts, shows and nightlife.
Music:
Two major music centres in Brighton are The Brighton Centre, which regularly hosts top artists from around the world. The Brighton Dome, built in the art deco style, hosts a superb concert hall with genres ranging from classical to contemporary.
Theatre:
The Theatre Royal brings hit productions from London’s West End to Brighton. The Brighton Dome also hosts more eclectic, local productions.
Bars & Restaurants:
Brighton hosts an array of bars, from the quieter and more tranquil places to cocktail bars overlooking the seafront. There are a wide selection of restaurants with seafood being a popular choice – specialities include fish ‘n’ chips as well as oysters.
