One of the little known gems about the English lifestyle is how much they appreciate their holidays. Whether it is for a weekend away, or a much longer vacation, time away from the grind is both a necessity and a luxury for all. With the presence of airlines like easyjet and the dreaded ryanair, British families and friends can now pop around all of Western Europe for less that 20 quid, but all of this accessibility has replaced the excitement and nostalgia for the beach towns of England.
In “When I’m Sixty-Four” Paul McCartney sings about renting a cottage in the Isle of Wight (if it’s not too dear) which might come as just another adorable line in an adorable song, but for most families in England the vacation to the seaside towns of Blackpool and the Isle of Wight were the most anticipated weeks of the year, hopefully with weather that can actually be considered warm by most human standards. At the top of the English beach paradise list is the southern town of Brighton.
I’d love to tell you that Brighton is known for its sandy beaches and warm waters, but that would only not be true, it wouldn’t even be plausible for a country so defined by cold and uncomfortable things (Sorry England, I love you but…c’mon). What makes Brighton so perfect is the fact that it doesn’t conform to any beach town we are familiar with today. Trapped in the architecture and style of the 1900’s, a trip to Brighton really is a holiday from real life just because you have no idea what time period you are in. Lightly painted pastel Victorian townhouses and duplexes line the spotless streets that once were filled with Vespas belonging to the hoards of mods in the late 60’s.
There is a sense of history and timelessness that comes with a walk on the Brighton Pier. Full of games and rides that make you forget how old you actually are, partnered with a view that makes you never want to go back to the busy streets of London, Brighton has a sense of cultural history that can’t be matched.
After attempting to put your feet in the icy water and walking over the unbearably painful rocks that is considered the “beach”, make sure not to miss the knick knack shops and chippies along the Brighton promenade. The Brits don’t believe in frozen yogurt which makes every soft serve ice cream that more delicious. While I am not a fan of fish, my friends told me that the fish and chips at the end of the pier were also incredibly tasty.
My personal favorite area of Brighton has to be the shops and streets around East Street which was notorious for being the “mod side of town” in the 1960’s. Now home to adorable cafes and bars, fashionable boutiques, and art galleries, this area of Brighton was immortalized by the 1979 film Quadrophenia by The Who (which just happens to be one of my favorite movies/albums).
If you are ever in London and want to get out of the same old routine of the tube, hop on a Southern Express train to Brighton and Hove. It's worth it.
(all photographs are taken by me except the quadrophenia shots)
