Brighton
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Brighton's architecture
and landmarks express its diverse and spectacular past. The narrow walkways of
the Lanes - filled now with cafés, small shops, pubs and strollers - reflect the
town's origins as Brighthelmstone - a medićval fishing village. In contrast, the
Royal Pavilion, one of the most extravagant of English buildings, records the
town's emergence as an aristocratic Regency spa town. Sweeping seafront
terraces, the Theatre Royal, the high-arched railway station, the piers and the
Volk's beach railway indicate Brighton's success as a popular 19th century
resort, while the modern conference centre and the extensive marina are the
latest 20th century additions.
Brighton's cultural life
is rich and eclectic. The Theatre Royal, the Dome (the former Royal Pavilion
stables), the Univerity of Brighton Sallis Benney Theatre, the University of
Sussex Gardner Arts Centre and many smaller venues provide a variety of live
drama to match London, as well as housing many many pre-London productions.
There are three multi-screen cinemas as well as the specialist art-house, the
Duke of Yorks, and numerous clubs. The Brighton Festival, running for three
weeks each May, is one of the largest in the UK and features a mixture of
traditional and innovative arts. The major festival exhibition is staged each
year in the university's Grand Parade exhibition gallery.
For sport
Brighton is one of the main centres in the South East. League football and
county cricket can be found in neighbouring Hove; horse-racing, greyhound
racing, American football and international women's tennis are also regular
features. Shops range from large department stores through a multitude of book,
art and music shops to the street market atmosphere of the North Laines; there
are numerous cafés, bars and restaurants of all international cuisines
throughout the town.
Events
Almost every week some national or international event comes to the town -
political conferences, the London-Brighton veteran car run, the Tour de France
amd many international exhibitions. Brighton is less than an hour by rail from
London and half-an-hour from Gatwick airport, and the M25/M23 road link creates
easy road access to the capital and the rest of the country. Brighton also links
to Europe by air through Gatwick, via the Channel Tunnel or by ferry at Newhaven
(with day trips to Dieppe). Brighton is a truly European - in summer, almost
Mediterranean - town.
Situated
between the English Channel and the South Downs, Brighton's sea and countryside
provide a perfect balance to the excitement and vibrant life of the town. The
Downs are rightly classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A rail
journey or coastal drive between Brighton and Eastbourne will take you through
some of the most attractive villages and rural scenery of the South.
For much more information about Sussex, see the Official World Wide Guide to
Sussex Information and pictures taken from the University of Brighton's WWW
server, and written by Ray Hillman (rkh@vms.bton.ac.uk) Loads more pictures of
Brighton can be found on Pavilion Internet's WWW server. WWW servers in Brighton
are: University of Sussex at Brighton University of Brighton Pavilion Internet
plc - an internet provider for the Brighton Area
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