Brighton Attractions

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.

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.

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.

The first item that catches a visitor's eye is the vivid red ironwork that spring from slender columns of Central Station.

Magnus Volk's electric railroad (opened in 1833) runs the length of the eastern section of the sea front from near the Palace Pier to Brighton Marina.

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.

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.

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.

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.