The backstreets of Brighton

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I went to Brighton yesterday. I’ve lived nearby most of my life, but I’ve never really been sure if I actually like the place.

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It has a vibrancy about it that I’ve experienced nowhere else in the world, not even in London. It’s alive, it’s fun, it’s a happening place. It’s the gay capital of the UK and the Goth centre of the universe! The population is young and trendy, and you find something to surprise you around every corner.

Art and music abound, whether on the street or in the galleries of North Laine. Its Restaurants are daring, experimental and as often as not, vegetarian! Its thousands of small shops are invariably decked out in a riot of colour and refuse to conform to the normal image of the High Street.

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But I don’t know. I sometimes feel I’m on another planet. I have never felt I belonged there. I feel like ha gate crasher at some exclusive outrageous wacky party!

But there is a normal Brighton, if there is such a thing as normal. It has the obligatory shopping mall with all the usual names, a beach, pier, parks, gardens and churches. Children in school uniform and elderly people are there among the trendy young peacocks strutting the streets.

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I visit now and again. I try to soak up some of the atmosphere, and as often as not I do leave with a bit of a buzz about me. In fact yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve had for ages. I spent it entirely in the North Laine district and came away with 175 photos!

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A few I’ve used here, but if you want to see more, in far better quality then click HERE and by the magic of the interweb you will find yourself

walking the narrow backstreets of the City of Brighton.

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More than just dirty weekends!

The city of Brighton! Fish and chips, candy floss, kiss-me-quick hats and dirty weekends! London by the sea! You name it, Brighton's got it.

My journey is best taken on the top deck of the Cliff Hanger bus. Our towns are linked by a spectacular string of chalk cliffs. A snow white roller coaster of misty heights and lush valleys. Today the sky is blue as I have ever seen it, and the sea a deep aquamarine.

Brighton pier was built by the Victorians. Originally one of a pair, the West pier was seriously damaged many years ago, and despite the efforts of conservation groups and high profile celebrities, the elements have succeeded in ruining it beyond repair. The main pier is an amazing finger of fun projecting into the sea. From beginning to end, it's a garish and vulgar mix of amusements, candy shops and spinning fairground rides. It epitomizes the English seaside experience. Loud piped music, and screaming laughing kids create a cacophony of sound.

One of Brighton's best know attractions is the Royal Pavilion. Originally a farmhouse, It was acquired by George IV in the mid 1700's and remodelled by John Nash to resemble an Indian Mughal Palace, with onion shaped domes and elaborate stonework. The extravagant interior is furnished a Chinese style, and it has now become a venue for exhibitions and concerts.Beautiful lawns and gardens surround the palace and today there is hardly a space to be had as families enjoy the sun amid the flowers and shrubs. A jazz band plays outside the little cafe which is selling tea and home made cakes.

Right in the centre of town are the Lanes, a maze of narrow streets and intriguing shops. Restaurants and pubs rub shoulders with goldsmiths and art galleries. The North Lane is another area of Brighton overflowing with specialist shops. Arts and crafts, Gothic attire and tattooists! Street sellers and buskers.A mish mash of colours and styles which somehow works!

The busy seafront road conceals a secret down below! A series of arches at sea level, house dozens of rounded little shops and bars, with a charm all of their own. Artists display their canvasses alongside souvenir shops and pickled fish stalls.

I always find it difficult to drag myself away from Brighton. It's everything to everyone. It's they gay capital of Britain and a centre for music and the arts. It has universities, and language schools by the score. Sweeping Regency crescents and grand Victorian houses. To one side the rolling Sussex countryside, and the other the English Channel and France. Perfect!


To see the rest of my Brighton photos go to http://www.keithsimages.com/