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Just an hour from London by train is the coastal resort of
Brighton. The town had its heyday in 1800s but it's
still a popular weekend refuge for city-dwellers.
What's the history here?
From 1815 to 1823, the Prince Regent, soon to be King
George IV, built a fantasy holiday home in Brighton called
The Pavilion. George had exotic tastes and indulged
in luxuries that fascinated his peers: his en-suite bathroom
was the first in the country to have running water, pumped
straight from Brighton beach.
Brighton quickly became the playground of the rich and noble
who followed the lead of their fashionable Prince. At the
height of the British Empire, as England became the biggest
cultural and commercial invader the world had ever seen, Brighton
was a boomtown. Those with money to spend came to do just
that in the once small village by the sea that was transformed
into a royal Disneyland.
What's there to see & do?
- Take a tour of The Pavilion, now a museum, and see
artefacts that reflect the flamboyant lifestyle of George
IV.
- Stroll along Brighton Pier. The pier hosts a multitude
of modern attractions and fairground rides, decked out in
neon lights. Amongst the noise and bustle you can find a fully
working vintage penny arcade - once a novel new entertainment
centre, now a unique remnant of Brighton's glorious past.
Visiting Brighton
Brighton is easily reached by train from central London. Since
the start of the decade, it has become the No. 1 tourist day
trip out of London - for its fashionable club scene and celebrity
status - so be prepared for hoards of American and Japanese
tourists. Bed and Breakfasts are practically unobtainable
at weekends during the summer unless you book well ahead.
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