What You Need To Know
Population: 289,200
Area: 82.79 km2
Currency
Economy
The economy of the city is service-based with a strong emphasis on creative, digital and electronic technologies. Tourism and entertainment are important sectors for the City, which has many hotels and amusements, as well as Brighton Pier and Shoreham/Portslade Harbour.
The United Kingdom Census 2011 showed a substantial fall in the proportion of the population claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support, from 10.1 of the resident population in 2001, to 4.5} of the resident population in 2011.
Language
English is the official language.
Transport
Getting around is simple as it is a compact city and easy to explore on foot or public transport. Make time to visit the city villages too including Hove; famous for its colourful beach huts & Regency architecture, and Rottingdean, a picturesque, traditional English village.
Weather
Brighton is one of the sunniest towns in the UK, and visitors have been swarming its beaches and promenades every summer for the last 200 years. But you don't have to bank on good weather; there's enough going on throughout the year to keep you occupied. It makes a brilliant place for a day trip from London, or just as a weekend break if you're coming down from further away. To prove it, we've got 44 reasons to visit this seaside town, come rain or shine, from discovering what drew the Victorians down, to the latest bars, shops and attractions.
About Brighton
Brighton, located on the southern coast of England, developed as a holiday resort and spa city in the early nineteenth century. Today it is a hub of activity year round, with a lively bohemian feel. It's more than just a university town; its European atmosphere attracts all kinds of people with an enduring affection for the city, its community, and its quirks. Brighton is conveniently located only 30 minutes from London’s Gatwick airport and 30 minutes from Newhaven, which has ferry crossings to France.
Brighton's fame started with the building of the Royal Pavilion, an enormous pleasure palace in the city centre in which the Prince Regent George IV would entertain friends and host parties. Surrounded by gardens, the area still attracts tourists and locals. Although most tourists never look further than the Palace Pier and the Royal Pavilion, students will find a lively alternative scene. Brighton has many markets and stores and its boutiques, whole food shops, open-air cafés and buskers (street musicians) make it a must-see.
A wide variety of entertainment is available in the evenings. Fringe theatre companies often perform, and many West End shows hit the Theatre Royal before London. Cabaret performers frequently begin their careers in Brighton either at the Concorde, which also houses regular jazz, or the cavernous Zap Club. International performers go to the Brighton Centre or the Dome, which also presents regular classical music concerts. Major arts festivals are held through out the year, but there is always a buzz of activity. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the beachfront, pier, shops, and music scene.
Hang out on the beach in the early evening.
Café society is alive and well in Brighton. There are dozens of places to spend the afternoon enjoying coffee and cake, having an intimate chat or watching the world go by. You can always stroll the boardwalk and the rocky beach after eating locally caught fish and chips. The opportunities to escape from it all are endless: you can take the cliff walk to have tea in Rottingdean, spend a day out in historic Arundel or Lewes or simply take a bus trip to the dramatic Devil’s Dyke or Beachy Head.
