Coming to Brighton? Here’s your quick guide to the city
Brighton is one of the UK’s most popular destinations for learning English and probably one of the world’s first cities built for fun. It became one of the world’s earliest fashionable seaside resorts after a partying Prince transformed a village farmhouse into an incredible palace.
More recently, it has become one of the most popular places to study English in the UK. With almost 20 language centres, an excellent rail service to Gatwick Airport and central London, two universities and a beach, Brighton is a great place to learn and enjoy UK culture.
We hope you get a chance to experience the city while you’re at StudyWorld.
History
Brighton was a fishing village until around 200 years ago when the son of the King decided it would be a good place to party away from London. Brighton then became a fashionable place to spend time and lots of grand houses and a theatre were built. People thought it was healthy to get into the sea but did not swim – they were helped into the sea by attendants with special bathing machines.
When the railway was built in 1841 it became a very popular place for ordinary people to go for holidays and day trips from London. The city also has the UK’s oldest working cinema and a Premier League football club.
What to see and do
- The Royal Pavilion – when the Prince Regent came to Brighton, he bought a farmhouse – and transformed it into a fantasy palace inspired by both Chinese and Indian culture. The Royal Pavilion has domed roofs and amazing decoration with lots of gold and dragons and is a must-see.
- The Palace Pier is a walkway which goes out to sea with lots of machines to play and fairground rides. It is one of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions. The framework of Brighton’s other pier is also visible just outside the Metropole.
- Sea Life Brighton is the world’s oldest aquarium, built in 1972, with ornate decorations around the tanks and a huge pool which used to house dolphins – you can experience this at the MLA Reception on Tuesday.
- The i360, just by the hotel, is a unique attraction – rise slowly over the city in a glass pod and enjoy the view.
- Brighton is great for eating out and socialising and has lots of great restaurants, bars and cafes.
- Brighton is well known for its quirky little shops in the Lanes and the North Laine. The Lanes is the old fisherman’s part of town with jewellery, cosmetic and clothes shops. The North Laine has lots of clothing, hand-made goods, coffee shops and other unusual shops. Most big-name UK stores are in the main shopping streets and mall behind the hotel.
- Birds! Look out for the dancing movements of large flocks of starlings over the piers as the sun sets. This is called a murmuration and is an amazing sight.
- Historic buildings: Brighton and Hove have many grand old houses along the seafront and into the seafront squares, most around 200 years old.
- Brighton is a compact city and it is easy to walk round. If you do this, watch out for cycle lanes painted on wide pavements, especially the seafront – and beware of thieving seagulls if you are eating a snack outside!
Exploring Brighton during and after StudyWorld?
Check out these special offers from local restaurants, attractions and activities. Just show your delegate badge to get your deal.
> See special offers in Brighton
Studying English in Brighton
These are the English UK member centres in the city:
