What is Brighton known for?
Brighton is a seaside city on the south coast of England known for its pebble beach, Brighton Palace Pier, the Royal Pavilion and its lively, creative and LGBTQ-friendly culture.
Brighton became a fashionable resort in the 1700s, when doctors promoted sea bathing for health. The Prince Regent, later King George IV, made the town popular with high society.
The Royal Pavilion, built for the Prince Regent, has an Indian-style exterior with domes and minarets and a lavish Chinese-inspired interior. It is one of the most unusual royal palaces in Britain.
Pier, Lanes and culture
Brighton Palace Pier, opened in 1899, has amusements, rides and food stalls. The ruins of the West Pier, which closed in 1975, stand in the sea nearby.
The Lanes, a network of narrow alleys, are filled with jewelry shops, cafes and boutiques. North Laine is known for independent shops and street art.
Brighton hosts Brighton Pride, one of the UK's largest Pride festivals, and the Brighton Festival each May. The British Airways i360 observation tower offers views of the coast. Brighton is about an hour from London by train.