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There is a breathtaking beauty and nostalgic charm that is characteristic of the beach at Brighton. Stuck in a sort of Victorian time-warp, the pebbly beach is as close to Coney Island in New York or the classic Venice Beach in California as most Brits will get. To be honest, they may be better off. On a good day, Brighton has the capability to provide all the charms of a much more expensive beach resort in the States. Not to say the area is particularly cheap. Brighton Pier, for example, mockingly called the “Palace Pier” by the natives, houses an amusement park that is beautiful and, for lack of a better word, expensive. The rides cost up to an outrageous eight quid each. Being poor, frightened by carnival rides and possessing a much larger fear of riding said rides on a wooden pier, no matter how sturdy and well-built, I found the issue of price to be a minor one. Walking the pier is free. There is plenty to take in from its view of the beach, an enjoyment that is outstanding to experience while not breaking the bank.

On my visit, a large section of the beach was closed to house a massive concert by artist Norman Cook, a.k.a Fatboy Slim. “The Big Beach Boutique,” was once a free concert, but a massive response and nearly four-fold attendance of the expected crowd in 2002 pushed the event into a five-year hiatus. It was reopened in 2007 where only natives of Brighton could buy tickets. If you are going to plan your trip, check if you landed on the date this event is happening, as a large tract of the beach will be blocked-off. If you happen to enjoy Fatboy Slim or dance music in general, then this may actually be the best time to visit, as ticket prices are fair and the crowd is energized. You can even watch the show from the pier – but since it is nearly a quarter of a mile away, there is a notable loss of volume and sound quality.

If you are looking to escape the city, or if you wish to take a beach trip in your own back yard (should you live in the south-east), Brighton offers some good landscapes and classic beach town fare.

Written by  Ryan Judge.

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