Brighton is a well-known seaside resort in the south coast of England. Here we talk about one of the main destination for Londoners when Summer days are scorcher. In this article I will explain how I’ve chosen Brighton as my first destination outside London since I settled there. When my new life in London was just at its beginning. The very first solo travel to another location in the UK made me discover more about the country.
This one day excursion was my starting point of wanting discovering more about the country I’m living in. To understand Its people and culture because discoveries shape your identity wherever you go. Igniting the desire within me to explore more of the UK. This article brings me back in 2019 when I’ve been there just few months before Covid. Newly settled in a new country I had to face a global crisis and lockdown in London. These two years taught me a lot although we couldn’t travel. The simple act of leaving our geographical area was not possible. Giving me more thirst for explorations and learning history. Also most importantly mental health! I remembered my Brighton trip to cheer me up with the hope good times will come.
Morning arrival
Jumped on the on the bus for a two hours journey from Victoria coach station. With few drops on the window on an Autumn morning. People asked me “Why going there at this time of the year?” I simply responded because I want to explore and that’s it. No matter the weather or season I go and pack my stuff anyway! It’s not bright to go to Brighton I was told. I couldn’t get enough of contemplating the countryside as I wiped off condensation the window.
The diversity of the English countryside brings me tranquillity with so many historic places. Many protected areas. As I watched documentaries about it which attracted my curiosity and passion. I never drifted my sight out of the window all along the way. As I looked at the road signs and realised Brighton was not too far away. Noticing the charming Victorian houses as it’s my favourite type of architecture. This is the main architecture type in England but also in other Anglo-Saxon countries.
The first thing I wanted to see was the famous Brighton Palace pier so I quickly took my stuff and got off the coach. Heading to my first spot wasn’t without passing through small streets to seeing shops and other businesses.
Brighton Palace Pier
My love for city centres drew me to which is also commonly called the Brighton Pier. This was the first thing I wanted to see upon my arrival. Discovering the arcades and games in the middle of shut down fairground rides. Including restaurants serving “French Mussels” on this side of the channel and of course fish and chips! While observing and hearing the relaxing sound of the crushing waves looking far ahead. Thinking about the achievement I’ve made that year of settling on the other side of the channel. Reflecting about my ambitions evolving here without forgetting where I came from.
To guide me towards the right direction.
Whether from my past experiences and my education. As I reflected all of this walking around the Pier watching the front sea buildings and the sandy beach. The Pier was so quiet on this Autumn morning as it’s one of the most visited attraction outside London. With much more facilities to spend a Summer day at. This Victorian Pier is built in 1899 to become quickly a popular landmark in Brighton in the early 20th Century. Few decades later in 1971 the Piers becomes listed grade II building.
Town centre and beach
What I find more attractive in visiting new places is of course town centres. It’s generally where we find the most interesting spots. The beach is part of the town centre and compared its vibrancy to London, the pace of life is slower. This is the hearth of the town where people flock for weekend shopping. As I walked through the crowd window shopping I started to feel the temptation for a traditional fish and chips. Fish and chips reminds my time in Ireland in 2012 where my host family made me discover this. So I sat somewhere on the sea front to enjoy. Every time I can’t stop thinking about my first time savouring this dish.
Following the break it was time for me to head to a mysterious tower in the Brighton’s skyline. That’s actually the Brighton i360 an unmissable tower on the beach. So It made me thinking it would be a great idea to see a panoramic view from above! Reminding me of climbing the Eiffel tower in Paris haha, but on the sea front was a great experience. Wave watching can reduce stress level as it catches our attention. The infinite ebbs and flows have a calming power from the movements changes with different patterns.
As soon as I got off the panoramic view tower I felt satisfaction from this viewing experience. When breathing the pure sea air and hearing the sound. We don’t necessarily realise how many benefits we can get from coastal settings. Not only on the stress level but also such as creativity, mood and sleep. These simple things in life most of us don’t take for granted. It led me without directly realising an increase of performance at work through the first covid lockdown. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to face the pressure of the busyness and challenges of working almost all night at the bakery I was working in!
The Royal Pavilion
Straight after another stroll on the beach I though it would be the right time for me to see my favourite place there. Those who don’t know me well already can learn in here about my love for eastern arts and design. The Grand Mosque of Paris comes straight to my mind when I see this stunning building. Walking through its different coloured corridors and patterns everywhere is eye-catching at every moment of your visit. Shame that pictures are not allowed but it compels you to live it to the present moment. Also it’s a good experience strolling its magnificent rooms enjoying the silence. Only hearing whispers and the creaking wooden floor.
This is a 1787 former royal residence for King George IV was a seaside retreat for him as Prince of Wales and then Prince regent. The residence is sold by Queen Victoria to the town as she disliked the people’s indiscretion there. The purchase in 1850 by the town marks the Pavilion’s conversion as a tourist attraction. During the first world war the pavilion is turned into a hospital where Indian soldiers are treated. By hearing a tourist guide leading a group she explained the architecture style reminded them home. To conclude my visit I went back to the Queen Victoria’s room and picturing her back in her time there. And had a another stroll around the Palace admiring the gorgeous architecture one more time!
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
My stroll around through the garden always looking for interesting stuff led me to the path of another great Islamic style building! Looking to figure out the purpose of the building I noticed this was actually the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery! This building attracted my curiosity so I entered and walked over a stunning brown and white tilling pattern to buy a ticket. Assured to learn more about Brighton and its history and discovering different artworks.
That’s not everything! Brighton was known to be a health seaside resort by the 18th century! Indeed by the creation in 1769 of the Brighton baths marked its transformation into a health resort. And made the town attractive so the population increased. That is why it attracted Monarchs to benefit from the location. My seaside experience mentioned above proved to be right!
Departure and conclusion
At the fall of night as the street lights start to switch on, went for another stroll in search for undiscovered spots. I had one last walk along the seaside and the town centre. Thinking about the day that just passed but didn’t realise I would benefit from it in the long term. Many parts of myself were still unlocked 5 years ago and thinking about the benefits today. This one day excursion was the last one before the Pandemic started. I was planning to visit my family in France on April 2020 and quickly realised this would not be possible. I had to work very hard instead to prepare orders at the bakery I was working in.
At the same time I was proud of myself in this period as I was still one of the few in making the society still working. As I am concluding this article my focus these days is self discovery. Back in these times I was quite unaware about the simple things in life. I was focus work only without goals aside of it. Now today I think a lot about my past experiences and what they had taught me. These retrospectives give me momentum in my journey. The Brighton trip helped me to go through covid period if I zoom out despite of fears and challenges. Encouraging me to face any of them and seeing them as opportunities for growth. Leading me to the path of success and shaping my personality. Thank you so much!
