brighton pier
In this journey we seek those corners where the locals take refuge and that they are not easy to find on the first visit. We shed the label of outsider fleeing from the continuous photos of 'I've been here', to instead adapt to the rhythm of the city that is built day by day with the stories of travelers and cultures from all over the world.
DAY ONE
10:00 a.m. We start the day at heart of brighton to soak up its bohemian atmosphere from the first moment strolling through North Laine , a neighborhood that is next to the train station and that brings together more than 200 shops and 30 independent cafes . it might remind you of Camden Town in London, but on a smaller scale, with vintage and retro clothing stores such as To be worn again and Dirty Harry where you can buy clothes from the years 50, 60, 70 and 80.
close is Snoopers Paradise , the largest establishment in the city dedicated to sell antiques and second-hand objects , and that as soon as you enter you are greeted with that characteristic smell of dust and closedness. This place is a little mixed bag where you can find old photos from family albums, collectible Star Wars dolls or relics like the Nintendo 64.
In The North Laine You can also see some of the best examples of street art in the city that decorate every alley and corner, even the typical electrical panels become canvases for graffiti artists. **The most popular covers an entire wall of the façade of the Prince Albert pub ** (Trafalgar Street) that pays tribute to music with faces of Elton John, Michael Jackson and Bob Marley, among others . This mural shares space with one of the artist's works banksy call 'Kissing Coppers' (Cops kissing) which reminds us that Brighton is the quintessential gay city in the UK.
Market Street in the South Lanes
1:00 p.m. From North Laine we jump to the lanes crossing North Street into a little tangle of narrow streets and alleys where there are vintage jewelers and fashion boutiques. If you like sweets, treat yourself to **Choccywoccydoodah** where they prepare chocolates and cakes that are true pieces of art and fantasy.
After so much walking it's time to stop and relax . We propose ** Riddle & Finns **, a place that can go unnoticed if you don't know it. It is a small oyster and champagne bar that will captivate you with its intimate atmosphere: white tile walls with only eight high marble tables lit by candles where you can taste a menu of fish and seafood caught in the area a. Their hake with champagne sauce accompanied by a poached egg and a slice of prosciutto is a must. Tables are shared and they do not accept reservations so if they are full you will have to sign up for the waiting list.
The best seafood in town (and with champagne)
4:00 p.m. Although we have said that we would avoid the touristy ones, the brighton pier It is a must-see that is closely linked to the history of the city and has been enjoyed by its inhabitants and travelers since 1898 when it first opened its doors. It's about a wooden pier with attractions , penny arcade machines and stalls selling the traditional l fish and chips , and which has become in the most visited place outside of London.
We continue our walk along the beach until we reach the Artists' Quarter: former fishermen's houses converted into studios for local artists who sell their paintings, sculptures and handicrafts, many limited editions. If the weather is nice, the promenade will be full of people enjoying live music with pints of beer and Pimms pitchers on the terraces . Leave behind the bars with plastic tables and white sofas typical of Ibiza clubs to reach ** Fortune of War **, the favorite place of the locals.
Brighton Pier, the most visited place outside of London
Not far away you can see another jetty, the West Pier . In this case, there is only one mass of iron as evidence of two fires that destroyed this pier in 2003 , and that has become a victim of the inclement weather that each winter rips out part of its structure. The West Pier is the protagonist of the lenses of many photographers , especially at sunset time. If the tide is low, it will allow you to get a little closer to the pier and walk barefoot through the sand until you reach the beach huts, a kind of storage room where residents store their hammocks and towels, and which embellish the horizon of the promenade with their green roofs and colored doors.
8:00 p.m. We return to the city center to recharge our batteries and we do it at ** The Chilli Pickle **, an Indian restaurant that fuses the passion that its English owners have for cooking and India . Its dishes are a burst of color and flavors that change every four months to bring you closer to the gastronomic richness of the different regions of the country with Goan curry, Mumbai paos and masala dosas . It is advisable to book especially on weekends.
The West Pier
10:00 p.m. It's time to take the pulse brightonian night . We start at ** The Office **, a bar that specializes in gin serving more than 40 brands including a gin made in the city, Brighton Gin . Forget the shot glasses, peppers and pieces of grapefruit that they give you in a joint in Spain, here the classic and simple cut is maintained: gin and tonic. That's it!
For the more nocturnal, the night continues at ** The Mesmerist **, a bar with live bands and DJs that liven up the dance floor to the rhythm of swing and rock and roll , while at the bar the bartenders prepare signature cocktails such as a Hemingway Daiquiri or Express Martini.
A moderate breakfast
DAY 2
10:00 a.m. To have an English Breakfast or not, that is the question. We offer you places for both options: hearty breakfast at ** Bill's ** where you can try the typical English Breakfast that is made up of a fried egg, white beans, sausage, bacon, mushrooms and tomato and that will charge your batteries for the whole day, or a lighter breakfast in Pelican , a small trendy cafeteria in the center to have a coffee and a homemade sweet.
11:30 a.m. We enter one of the most peculiar palaces that you can see in the entire United Kingdom: The Royal Pavilion . On the outside it looks like an Indian palace with white domes and vaults reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, inside the style becomes Chinese with dragons, lotus flowers and bamboo branches decorating the rooms. It is worth discovering the history of this building that is linked to the life of King George IV, who came to Brighton fleeing from the pressures and protocols of the monarchy to give free rein to his passions and whims.
Don't finish the visit without taking a walk through its gardens that surround this emblematic palace, where you will find young and old who come to read, have a picnic or simply enjoy the music of street artists who put melody on sunny days.
The Royal Pavilion
1:30 p.m. We propose something very Spanish with a english twist : go for a beer and do a tasting of local beers, and also imported ones brought from all over the world, with half pints or whole pints for those who hold more than half a liter per glass.
In recent years, England has seen a beer boom with establishments brewing their own. Hand in Hand is one of these pubs that, apart from having its own brand, offers a selection of more than 40 types of beer, between barrel and bottle . Some of his acquisitions are Vedette, Red Hook IPA and Harvey's Sussex Ale . It is a small, traditional bar that has its usual clientele. A totally different option is Brewdog, which arrived in the city less than a year ago with its brand of craft beers and modern style.
3:00 p.m. We hope you've saved room for food because it's time to try something typical of British cuisine: Bangers & Mash (sausages and mashed potatoes) . We take you to **Shakespeare's Head** where you can choose between 17 different sausages, 11 types of mashed potatoes and 8 sauces . One of their most popular combinations is wild boar and apple sausages, mashed potatoes with cheddar and stilton cheese and port and thyme sauce.
Here you must try the typical dish 'Bangers & Mash'
But if the day falls on a Sunday, things change because traditional pubs usually only have a menu sunday roast , a meat roast (beef, pork, lamb or chicken) with potatoes and vegetables typical on this day. our favorites are The Lion and Lobster , again Shakespeare's Head and the gastropub The Ginger Dog.
Three in the afternoon may be more of a typical time to eat in Spain but this is not a problem here since the pubs have the kitchen open all day and the sunday roast They serve it while supplies last.
like in an english house
5:30 p.m. Today has been a day dedicated to good eating and drinking to try to change the bad reputation that many attribute to British cuisine. Brighton has become an epicenter for independent restaurants and bars that make their way with bets that combine the traditional with the avant-garde. To round off this culinary feast, and if you have space left, stop by ** Boho Gelato **, a small ice cream parlor dedicated to experimenting with flavors to create eccentricities such as green tea and avocado sorbet, fig with mascarpone or chocolate with beetroot.
6:30 p.m. This English city is also known for its live music, something intrinsic to the country's culture. Most bars have their board on the sidewalk advertising concerts of folk, indie and rock . ** The Blue Man **, ** The Marwood ** and ** Fiddler's Elbow ** are some places to spend the last few hours of your Brighton break that will not disappoint.
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Rest on a pebble beach