Colourful by Day and Night

Known for colourful nightlife and traditional English seaside pursuits, Brighton and neighbour Hove are the closest beach resorts to London, making them popular end points for classic car runs from the capital. Many end at the racecourse, a few streets from Brighton Marina, Europe’s largest, housing several shops and eateries. Many Brighton guest houses on Booking.com are also nearby.

Running along the beachfront is the world’s oldest operating electric railway, ending by Brighton Pier. Lit up at night and also known as Palace Pier, this city icon houses amusements and rides, and is one place to pick up some famous Brighton Rock, the confectionery sharing its name with an edgy Graham Greene novel set here.

A new addition, the Brighton Wheel is right by the pier, while one of its most famous attractions is the Royal Pavilion, a former royal retreat built in Indian style.

Just west are 2 of the most popular Brighton shopping spots – Churchill Square shopping centre and The Lanes with its narrow streets and unusual shops. This area also has several Brighton hotels with parking, and the Artists Quarter, a series of ex-fishing huts that are now galleries. The arts are a big thing here and Brighton Festival is the UK’s 2nd largest arts festival, while Brighton Pride is also a big event on the annual calendar.