You might associate Brighton with the traditional British seaside. Warm sandy beaches, ice-cream cones, fish & chips – they’re all part of the experience. And that’s not even accounting for the wealth of culture and pop-up cinema that’s available on the beach.
But there’s more to Brighton than the summertime; if you’re intent on taking a trip to the south coast this winter (that is, if there isn’t a nationwide lockdown in effect), then you’ll want to make time for a few wintry activities that are unique to this part of the country.
It’s easy to get on the train from Gatwick Airport to Brighton, making it a worthy destination for Londoners – and for those travelling from further afield.
Go to Museums
Brighton is home to a series of important historical locations and niche museums. There’s the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, a co-operative organisation whose work supports the wider community, and the Royal Pavillion, which served as a holiday home for Victoria and Albert for large stretches of the 19th century.
Go Shopping
Brighton provides a great deal in the way of shopping opportunities. As well as the usual chain stores you’ll find just about everywhere, there are a host of smaller boutique ones, many of which are crammed into the iconic lanes.
If you’re looking for something unique as a memento of your trip, then, this is where you’ll find it. Make sure that you plan your trip and see everything.
Embrace Veganuary
Brighton is home to a high concentration of vegans relative to the general population. The locals are forward-thinking when it comes to ethical cuisine, and you’ll find a series of vegan restaurants that’ll cater to more animal-friendly diets.
Enjoy the Outdoors
As well as the city itself, there’s the surrounding countryside. Taking a stroll along the seafront during winter will provide a different experience to a summertime walk – and that’s not just because the crowds will be thinner (or non-existent). You might also take a clifftop walk nearby, and see the city from afar.
Go and See a Play
There’s a bustling thespian culture in Brighton, and thus you can expect to see plenty of plays being staged during winter-time (at least, during most winter-times). You might not expect to see anything out in the open air, but there’s the Theater Royal, the Dome, the Hippodrome and the Marlborough Pub.
The industry has faced an existential crisis in the wake of the pandemic, and thus it’s more important than ever that the theaters are packed again – once it’s safe to do so.
