By Charlotte Ricca
There are many reasons to visit Brighton and Hove, but here are the top 10.
Festival fever
Every city has a festival these days, but few can match what Brighton offers in terms of quality and quantity. In May alone there are four festivals with the Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, Artists Open Houses and The Great Escape. Then there is Gay Pride, Brighton Comedy Garden, Wild Life, Love Supreme and many, many more.
Very few cities can match what Brighton offers in terms of quality and quantity of festivals
Location, location, location
Nestled between spectacular countryside and the deep blue sea, Brighton is a city that has it all. You can spend the morning on the beach, grab a bite to eat at a fabulous cafe or restaurant, and then walk it off in a national park.
Get creative
You can’t move in Brighton without bumping into a creative – from media types to musicians, and artists to actors. It’s also one of the best places in the UK to start up a new business. There is clearly something in the sea air that inspires creativity, so make sure you breathe it in.
Boho boutiques
So many UK high streets look the same, with the standard chain of shops, cafes and restaurants. But not Brighton. Oh no, we like to do things a bit differently. Head to North Laine and you’ll find boutique, independent shops selling everything from vegetarian shoes to vintage clothes and vinyl.
Music scene
Brighton is synonymous with live music and has some great venues from the expanse of the Brighton Centre, to the small and intimate Green Door Store under the railway arches, and the plush regency of Brighton Dome. In addition there are some fantastic festivals which get bigger and better each year.
Check out some live music at the Brighton Dome
Open your mind
Brightonians are among the most open-minded, welcoming bunch you are likely to meet. Where else would you find a naked bike ride through the city centre? This is a city where anything goes, so free your body and open your mind.
Every day is a holiday
Maybe it’s the sea air and the sunshine, or it could be the cafe culture, but there is something about being in Brighton that makes you feel like you’re on holiday. Even if you live here.
Family friendly
In Brighton children are expected to be seen and heard. Every weekend there is something going on, from festivals to kids clubs. Many child-friendly activities are free, and you can easily while away a few hours on the beach or at one of the city’s many great parks.
Fabulous food
Whether you want a dirty burger or a vegan feast, Brighton offers great food for all tastes and budgets. You can’t walk 50 yards without stumbling across yet another great, often independent, eatery. Try mouth-watering chocolates from Montezuma’s or some incredible cheese or meat from Barney’s Delicatessen. You will not be disappointed!
You can enjoy food from a huge range of fantastic eateries in the region
The sun always shines
OK, that isn’t strictly true. It does rain in Brighton. This is Sussex, after all, not California, but the region enjoys more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Britain. Locals talk of a microclimate, created by the South Downs, which means the city is always a few degrees warmer than the rest of the UK.
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