British cities tend to have a cathedral as their focal point, but Brighton (Brighton & Hove to give its full title) has always done things differently. Instead, this city on England’s South Coast has the Royal Pavilion, built in 1815 for the Prince Regent so that he could meet up easily with his mistress Mrs Fitzherbert.
As secret hideaways go, it's ostentatious: an exuberant, Indo-Chinese collection of minarets, pagodas and domes. That the Prince Regent, later King George IV, saw Brighton as a place to indulge himself away from the disapproving gaze of courtiers in London, is clear from the Banqueting Hall, which has a one-ton chandelier that looks as if it has emerged from the jaws of a dragon. Twenty course meals were served up from a vast kitchen where the iron pillars are disguised as palm trees. And when the Prince Regent decided to choose Brighton as a holiday destination, others followed, resulting in its stunning collection of Georgian architecture and slightly risqué reputation.
Other beaches have sand, but Brighton is pebbled and proud. It's a cosmopolitan place, only an hour south of London, with a large gay population and inhabitants who are always ready to dress up for one of Brighton's many celebrations. The Brighton Festival runs in May, with street theatre, art exhibitions and music, Gay Pride takes place at the beginning of August and winter gets into fireworks with Bonfire Night (Nov. 5). Brighton is eclectic and fun and never pretentious.
Many of Brighton's visitors fantasise about buying a house in Kemp Town, a series of white Georgian houses that face the sea front and is the poshest bit of Brighton. Kemp Town has always appealed to actors - Sir Laurence Olivier used to live there and Cate Blanchett has just moved in. At the other end of town, Paul McCartney and his new wife Heather have a house at Hove, a few doors down from DJ and record producer Fatboy Slim.
Traditionally, visitors came to Brighton to indulge in the healthy practice of sea bathing and to promenade along its piers. Palace Pier (now called Brighton Pier) was built in 1891, with arcades and a concert hall. Today, things are gaudier and a bit more high-tech; the pier houses Brighton's only permanent funfair and a video arcade has replaced the "What the Butler Saw" peep show. Entrance is free, the freshly-made doughnuts cheap and the rides, including a helter skelter, cost around £2.50 a go. Nobody who visits Brighton should miss it.
Every weekend, clubs - small, intimate venues - along the seafront are packed. Fatboy Slim is still resident DJ at Concorde 2, but there's something for every taste - electroclash at The Joint, while Funky Buddha Lounge lives up to its name with chill out music and a relaxed atmosphere. Next morning, head to the Brighton Rock Beach House in Rock Place. Among the breakfasts on offer is the 'Brighton' for £7. Order that and you get 20 cigarettes and a black coffee. In good weather, there's a Jeep to sit in. Terre a Terre in East Street, near the Lanes, is famous as a gourmet vegetarian restaurant while Brighton's poshest fish and chips are served up at the Regency, an Art Deco building near the atmospherically derelict West Pier. Brighton is second only to London for the number and variety of top-class restaurants.
More than a few things have changed since the Prince Regent's time - today, a fast train only takes an hour from London to get to Brighton (40 minutes from London Gatwick Airport). And the Lanes have become home to Brighton's slickest shops. England at Home and Vanilla in Ship Street have the latest in monochrome home décor, while Gog on East Street stocks Juicy Couture and Burberry. It's also an area known for its antique shops, selling silver and jewellery.
The city's alternative heart beats most strongly in the North Laines. Here the streets are named after smart London counterparts - Bond Street, Kensington Gardens - but prices are low and the mood playful, with organic cafes and restaurants. Clever and cheap fashion can be found at Pussy and Cutie and vintage clothing at Snoopers Paradise.
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Matthew Normans account of his recent visit to Bovey Castle restaurant. Bovey Castle is in Dartmoor National Park
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Bradgate Park Leicestershire
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Bradgate Park in Leicestershire is a well known and much loved visitor attraction. The Folly in the Park can be seen for miles around and the park is typical of an English country park where urbanites can escape the hurly burly of city life and breath som
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Brighton & Hove has always done things differnetly. Rather than using a cathedral as it's focal point this city on South England's Coast has the Royal Pavillion, built in 1815.
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Bristol a city built on its maritime past. An article by Jenny Spetter.
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A history of Cliffords Tower for the English Travel Guide. An essential guide to this English Heritage attraction in York.
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Croyde North Devon Village not far from Barnstable
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Derby is compact city at the centre of England, full of history, art and – reputedly – ghosts
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England has seen a high rise in tourism. Its main cities as well as its main coastal resorts have all benefited from this high rise...
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England has some of the best traveling the world. This travel guide highlights all the best travel resources from travel associated with the countryside to city travel. Mix with English people, English folklore and travel in one of the finest....
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English Travel Guide.com has been designed to provide a definitive easy to use travel companion for all your English Travel needs.
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English Travel Guide and Jurys
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English Travel Guide, the fastest growing Travel and Leisure website for England welcomes Jurys hotels to its growing family. Coupled to the English Travel Guides expanding list of attractions and features the leisure traveller and tourist can plan their
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Cornwalls oldest surviving Tin mine, now a popular tourist attraction.
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The effects on travel in England of a few heavy thunderstorms.
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HOLIDAY HOMES WITH A DIFFERENCE
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An apparently normal family will arrive by open boat at a rented holiday cottage in Britain to find there is no hot water or electricity... and the only lighting is a box of candles. Amazingly, they’ll be delighted.
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London Tourist Information
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London the capital city and major tourist attraction. A first stop on any travel, this major cosmopolitan city of the English speaking world. Population of just under eight million. This guide to the various sites to see is a must read in conjunction with
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Matthew Norman s review on Luc s Brasserie London EC3.
Sunday Telegraph Magazine 21 November 2004.
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North York Moors National Park
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A Visit to the North York Moors National Park
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Elfreda Powell article from The Sunday Telegraph magazine 28 November 2004
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Information on Penzance including hotels restaurants, attractions, museums and local points of interest. This market town is the Capital of west Cornwall and is a popular tourist attraction.
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One of the wonders of the world. This ancient stone circle is managed by Englsh Heritage and is truely a must see site for any visitor to the UK.
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Set in the far North Eastern corner of England this beautiful county borders Scotland to the North and the Industrial North East to the South. It has been designated an area of outstanding beauty.
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Rye one of the Cinque port towns on the Sussex
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The Battle of Hastings 1066
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Fought between Harold, King of England and the Norman French under William at Battle in East Sussex. The battle occured on October 14th 1066. The Battle Abbey near Battle provides information on the event.
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The Lion King - Lyceum Theatre
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Story of the Disney musical the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre London. Search London Theatres for bookings.
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Plan a visit to this spectacular forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility and wonderful scenery of this exquisite forest.
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Article on The Close, the Organs and Bells of Winchester Cathedral
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