Exuding a distinctly Indian Mogul style of architecture, the ornate Royal Pavilion in Brighton once served as the summer residence for the Royal family. The Pavilion features splendid decor and furnishing.
Exhibiting a spectacular Art Deco collection, Brighton's Museum and Art Gallery makes for an interesting visit. The Gallery also features a historical costume collection.
The center of the old fishing village of Brighthelmstone once stood on the site of the narrow alleyways known as The Lanes, where the charming little 17th century cottages have mostly been turned into antique shops, boutiques and cafes. Some of the facades are still "weather boarded", colorfully clad with painted wooden boarding as protection against wind and weather.
Barkham Manor is set in 35 acres of rolling countryside. Visitors can take a tour. The 18th century Great Barn is an ideal venue for weddings and special events.
Address: Barkham Manor, Piltdown , England
Hours:
April 14 to December 24: 10am-5pm; Sun:11am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Devoted to natural history, the Booth Museum is situated in Dyke Road, in the northwest of Brighton. In addition to an outstanding collection of stuffed birds displayed in their natural habitats, there are butterflies from all over the world and numerous skeletons of extinct species.
Address: Booth Museum of Natural History, 194 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 5AA, England
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun:2pm-5pm; Closed: Thu
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Good Friday - Christian
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
This annual three-week festival runs from early to late May. International musicians from around the world gather to perform in events ranging from orchestral and church concerts, to jazz and comedy shows, to theater and dance performances. Film screenings and recitals are also among the 400 events offered in this diversified festival. The repertoire is equally varied, although nineteenth-century music predominates.
The venues include the Royal Pavilion, the Theatre Royal and many local churches.
Address: Brighton Festival, 21-22 Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1EL, England
The town of Piltdown is home to one of the world's greatest scientific hoaxes. It was here that the supposed missing link was found, only much later to be revealed as a carefully fabricated fraud. A trail leads visitors through the buildings and fields.
This 18th C manor house in Preston Road was the home of the Stanford family. Renovated in 1905 it recaptures the atmosphere of life at the turn of the century as well as being a showcase for antiques from earlier periods.
Address: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1EE, England
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun:2pm-5pm; Mon:1pm-5pm
Always opened on: Spring Bank Holiday - Britain (last Monday, May ), Summer Bank Holiday - Britain outside Scotland (last Monday, August )
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Phone for details on guided tours, special events and room hire.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
At the Brighton Sea Life Centre visitors can take close-up looks at live sharks, stingrays, starfish and other sea creatures. The underwater viewing tunnel is particularly interesting.
Address: Sea Life Centre, Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TB, England
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: 10am-6pm
November 1 to March 31: 10am-5pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Last admission one hour prior to closing.
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
A short distance north of St James Street, in Carlton Hill, stands the church of St John the Baptist, with the tomb of George IV's beloved Maria Fitzherbert. Following their separation she lived in seclusion in Brighton until her death.
At the far end of Church Street, stands the town's original parish church, St Nicholas'. The church itself was begun in the 14th century but the beautiful Norman font, carved with scenes of the Last Supper, the baptism of Christ and the Legend of St Nicholas, the patron saint of seafarers, dates from about 1160.
The Sussex Toy and Model Museum in Brighton has over 10,000 items on display. Its exhibition features toys from the world's top toy makers over the last 100 years.
Address: Sussex Toy and Model Museum, 52-55 Trafalgar Street, Brighton BN1 4EB, England
Hours:
January 1 to December 31: 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm; Sat:11am-1pm, 2pm-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
The neo-Classical Theatre Royal not far from the museum was built in 1806, although the colonnade was not completed for another twenty years. Many famous actors and actresses including the Kembles, Grimaldi and Sarah Siddons have appeared on its stage, a tradition of good theater which is still maintained today.