Tourist Information
About Brighton
Brighton & Hove, one of Britain's liveliest cities, has a bohemian, artistic and eccentric atmosphere that can't be found anywhere else in the UK. Combining the modern with the traditional, the city has a heritage that is rooted in the Regency era and is brought up to date with a unique cultural offer.
Visit the Royal Pavilion, seaside fantasy palace of King George IV, built by John Nash, which combines an Indian mogul exterior with an exotic Chinese interior. Or take a look at the lifestyle of Edwardian gentry at Preston Manor with its collections of furniture, paintings and porcelain upstairs, and the simpler surroundings of the servants' quarters below stairs.
Stroll along the vibrant Beachfront with its Artists' and Fishing Quarters, trendy bars and clubs. Enjoy traditional seaside fun against the backdrop of Brighton's Regency architecture, the Brighton Pier and Sea Life Centre. Shop for antiques and designer goods in the 17th century Lanes, or browse for bargains in the bohemian North Laine. Check out the big-name stores in the brand new Churchill Square shopping complex or go discount shopping among the millionaire yachts at the Marina.
Add to that great nightlife, a lively arts scene, plenty of places to stay, over 400 restaurants, a non-stop programme of special events, including England's largest international arts festival in May, and you have a unique holiday destination.
Brighton & Hove is not only a stylish seaside city, but a great base for exploring the beautiful Sussex countryside. Historic houses, glorious gardens and picturesque little villages are all just a short drive away.
Climate
Brighton with its location on the south coast enjoys warmer minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year than other areas of the UK. Average summer temperatures are around 17 degrees centigrade.
VAT
The standard rate of tax is 20% - this is included in rates charged. However some goods and services have a reduced rate or are VAT exempt so do check when purchasing.
Currency
The local currency is the Pound Sterling. Currency exchange services are available throughout the city as are ATM’s. Nearest services will be at Churchill Square shopping center.
Time Zone
Brighton operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Local time in the UK in summer is British Summer Time (UTC +01:00)
Electricity
Standard voltage is 220-240V – 50HZ. Power sockets used are type G (3 pin). Visitors from outside the UK will require an adaptor to run their own appliances.
Country Code
The code for the UK is 0044 and the city code for Brighton & Hove is 1273. International calls are made by first dialing 00 and followed by your country code.
Emergency Phone Numbers
In the event of emergency call 999 and request police, fire or ambulance service. If you require medical assistance you can visit the Accident & Emergency Department at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road. Alternatively to see a Doctor go to the Brighton Station Health Centre, Queens Road which is open daily 08:00 – 20:00. For further details see www.brightonstationhealthcentre.co.uk
Safety
Safety in the city is not a major concern for visitors but do be aware of pickpockets in some crowded areas.
Beach Safety
Red flags indicate that it is unsafe to swim in the sea. Red and yellow flags are raised on patrolled beaches and represent safe swimming conditions.
Online Travel Guides
Detailed information can be found at www.visitbrighton.com or by downloading the free VisitBrighton app http://www.visitbrighton.com/apps
Things to do in Brighton
Royal Pavilion
No trip to Brighton is complete without a visit to the city's fascinating historic Royal Pavilion. An exotic palace in the center of Brighton with a colorful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. The Royal Pavilion started as a modest 18th century lodging house. Architect Henry Holland helped George, Prince of Wales, transform his humble seaside retreat into a handsome neo-classical villa – known as the Marine Pavilion.
The Lanes
If you're looking to put a creative edge into your shopping, Brighton Lanes offer a shopper’s paradise of independent shops and boutiques. Once the heart of the fishing town of Brighthelmstone, Brighton Lanes' historic quarter is a fabulous maze of twisting alleyways, twittens and catcreeps offering an extraordinary mix of antiques and jewelry shops nestling alongside specialist contemporary and designer boutique fashion. Crammed with quaint and wondrous shops and funky restaurants and cafes, the Brighton Lanes are best wandered lazily and explored as you find them. You'll often find buskers livening up the streets, making the Lanes a great place for the battle worn shopper to grab a coffee and soak up the history to the sounds of some live jazz.
Brighton Pier
Brighton Pier at 1,722 ft long and acknowledged as the finest pier ever built, offers all the swagger and style of tradition balanced with the pace and excitement of today. Enjoy various food and drink outlets, fairground attractions and Palace of Fun arcade.
British Airways i360
Take a flight to the skies and see Sussex as you have never seen it before. Glide up slowly to 450 feet high to enjoy breath-taking 360 degree views of up to 26 miles from the world’s first vertical cable car, conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the creators of the London Eye.
Afternoon tea at The Grand
Sit back in the newly refurbished Victoria Lounge, Bar & Terrace and watch the Brighton parade swish by. Afternoon Sussex Cream Teas at The Grand, Brighton are rumoured to be the best in the country and are served within the sumptuous surroundings of the recently refurbished Victoria Lounge. An afternoon tea at The Grand begins with a selection of hand cut sandwiches, a pot of The Grand’s own blended tea or a choice of world renowned blends and infusions. Warm scones arrive next with strawberry preserves and West Country clotted cream. Then there’s the final course, the piece de resistance, a selection of homemade cakes.
Sea Life Brighton
Let us take you on a fascinating journey through the original Victorian architecture of the oldest operating aquarium in the world from the coastline to the depths of the ocean. Discover a magical underwater world filled with a dazzling array of amazing creatures. Every step will reveal something new, from a face to face encounter with sharks to a hands-on rockpool experience. As well as being able to ride the UK’s first Glass Bottom Boat, have a fascinating Behind the Scenes Tour and join in with our free interactive rockpool experience where you can touch crabs and starfish. Recent addition to Brighton is the Rainforest Adventure! Underneath the rainforest canopy, discover something amazing as you come face to face with one of the world’s largest species of snake. Climb through mangrove roots to join more inhabitants of the rainforest such as deadly piranhas and poisonous dart frogs. Free talks and feeds are available throughout the day to learn about the creatures and how you can help Sea Life with their conservation efforts.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery
Located in the Royal Pavilion garden, at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. Its diverse collections bring together the arts and history to tell stories about the city and the world we live in. Visit temporary exhibitions as well as permanent galleries including fine art, fashion and pottery.
Brighton Marina
One of Europe’s largest marinas with plenty of shopping, eating & drinking, cinema, bowling and casino. For the more active, there is sailing, diving, fishing and boat trips. Why not travel down to the marina on the Volks Railway – Britain’s oldest electric railway built in 1883. Trains run every 15 minutes from April to September.
North Laine
Explore bohemian North Laine with its independent shops selling everything from vintage to vinyl. This is the place to go for retro shopping, vibrant street art or just to sit back and watch the world go by.
City Sight-Seeing Bus
If walking isn’t your thing, see the city on a bus. Serving areas including Brighton Pier, Sealife Centre, Brighton Station, shopping areas, the bohemian North Laine and the Lanes, plus the Royal Pavilion and the many attractions at Brighton Marina and with a fantastic commentary, enlightening you to the sights and sounds of the city, the tour is a must!