Let's go to Brighton

Picture of Brighton

Saturday 24 May 2008

Brighton is by the sea, has loads of arts events, cool shops and a thriving nightlife. If you’ve never been there, read n2k’s guide on what it has to offer young people.

Where is it?

Brighton is on the south coast of England, in the county of East Sussex.

Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier is one of the most famous landmarks in the city. Built in 1981, the pier now has a funfair, restaurant and arcade halls. Don’t leave without grabbing a Brighton rock from the souvenir shops!

Let's sunbathe

The pebbled beach is another popular attraction in Brighton and is one of the few beaches in the world to have a wireless connection! Perfect if you can't tear yourself from checking your Facebook/MySpace/Bebo.

There have been a couple of free gigs held on the beach, courtesy of cool Brighton resident, DJ Fatboy Slim. If you missed out on that don't worry - there are many bars and cafes that line the beach. Get something to munch on and watch the sunset - they're amazing in Brighton.

Let's shop

Want to shop til you drop? Brighton is filled with shops to cater to every person’s own taste - from your usual mainstream shops to cool independent boutiques.

The heart of shopping in Brighton lies at The Lanes - unique shops and boutiques sell vintage clothes and locally designed gear. People-watch and grab a quick bite in one of the cosy cafes afterwards.

The arts

If you love dance, music, theatre, and art then visit Brighton - their arts scene is one of the best in the UK. The city is also home to one of the largest arts festivals – the Brighton Festival, which is held annually each May.

Check out contemporary dance performance 'Glow' which uses digital lights to enhance movement. Or if perhaps you're more into theatre - 'The 7 Fingers' is a crazy mix of circus, music and physical theatre.

The festival also holds many free outdoor events - don't miss free running performances from the 'Urban Playground' and inventive dancing from 'Underground'. For something a bit quirky why not get spooked out at 'The Seance'?

Let's dance

Brighton annually hosts the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trangender Pride Festival in late July-early August, which is attended by more than 100,000 people every year. The festival also serves to promote equality and diversity.

If you love clubbing then you’ll be right at home in Brighton. Home to two major universities, Brighton has a wide range of clubs – from the famous Concorde 2 club to the funky r’n’b and hip hop club Arc.

Under 18? Don’t feel left out! Massive seven themed venue Oceana regularly holds under 18 events.