Brighton: The Ultimate Seaside Getaway

When thinking about the United Kingdom, London may be one of the first cities to pop into your mind along with other famous, historical cities such as Bath, Oxford, and Cambridge. However, it is often forgotten that the United Kingdom is made up of a series of islands, and with islands comes a body of water. While you might sometimes feel landlocked in the UK, Brighton is a friendly reminder that the ocean is never too far away.

Getting to Brighton:

Traveling to Brighton from London is extremely easy. In just over an hour you can arrive in Brighton via a direct train on the National Rail. The train will drop you off at the start of the main town and just a short walk away from the water.

Brighton Highlights:

1. The Royal Pavilion: Built in the 18th century, this royal residence was built to be a seaside residence for the royal family. It is massive, bright, and features architectural features that remind me of the Taj Mahal. You must buy a ticket in order to go inside and explore the residence and gardens. However, you can also admire its immense beauty from the outside.

2. The Brighton Palace Pier: One of the biggest attractions in Brighton, the Brighton Palace Pier. This pier runs year-round and features small carnival games, slot machines, and amusement park rides that provide fun for all ages! The pier is also filled with small restaurants and food stalls with different types of snacks and desserts.

3. Sea Life: Brighton is home to the oldest running aquarium in the world! Sea Life, located right along the beach, is a world phenomena as it's been running since 1872. You can pay to head inside and see a wide variety of magical sea creatures and entertaining events.

4. Hove Beach Huts: This was probably one of my favorite spots in Brighton. If you walk down the boardwalk in Brighton towards the east, you will eventually come across the Hove Beach Huts. They are a long row of beach huts that residents can buy and paint to make them unique. While you can't go inside the huts because they are private property, you can admire their different colors and walk alongside them.

5. Brighton Beach: This beach runs along the town of Brighton. It is perfect for a seaside walk no matter what time of year. I visited in the winter and went for a wonderful walk with my hat, scarf and gloves on! The water is beautiful and the shoreline is clean and not too crowded, but I can imagine that it gets much more crowded during the summer!

6. North Laine and the Lanes: While all of these water-themed sights are very fitting for the town, what is a popular town with a center filled with shopping and restaurants! You guessed it.. North Laine and the Lanes are two areas within Brighton that are filled with outdoor clothing markets, restaurants, vintage stores, dessert shops, and so much more! You could spend hours wandering these streets.

Brighton Eats:

1. Purezza: This vegan pizzeria is located in the heart of Brighton. All of the personal pizzas are plant-based and delicious! The restaurant itself has a fun vibe and the staff members are so friendly, attentive and welcoming.

2. Stock Burger Co.: Another great option for a meal is this groovy hamburger restaurant filled with bright colors and neon signs. There are so different burger options, along with thick-cut french fries and a selection of beers.

3. The Flour Pot Bakery: You can find about three different locations for this bakery throughout Brighton. It is a modern bakery filled with various British baked goods with vegan very low gluten options as well. Here's a tip: if you go at the end of the afternoon, everything is half-priced because they can't save it!

No matter what time of year, but especially during the warmer months, Brighton serves as the perfect seaside getaway for a week, a weekend, or even just a day trip from London.