After one late-night study session, amid notes, books and coffee-fueled conversations, a friend and I found ourselves booking a trip to the seaside town of Brighton (thank God for cheap bus fares!). It was the dead of winter, but I was desperate for a little R&R, and this last-minute trip might just be what I needed.
For the most part, I want my trips to be carefully planned and organized. However, this brand new year instilled in me a small desire to be a little risky. While it may not be as exotic as a South African escapade, a trip to Brighton was about as spontaneous this girl could get on such short notice. (But, really, more like the lack of a Schengen visa!)
I boarded the National Express armed with only a camera, and kissed the winter blues goodbye! For a quick jaunt out of town, here are the top five things you should do when in Brighton.
Go to the beach. The pebble-covered beach pales in comparison to the lush powdery sands and tree-lined shorelines of the Philippines. Yet with the quaint town in the background, it has its own certain charm. While a swim may be out of the question during the winter, there are alternative ways to enjoy the place. Go for a stroll by the beach or rent a bike and cycle along the shore. Come summer, the beaches come alive with water sports, beachfront cafés and bars.
Try the carnival. By the seaside, it’s easy to spot a wooden boardwalk and lit-up carnival rides. A trip to Brighton is not complete without a visit to the Brighton Pier. While the original one burned down in 2003, the new one still evokes its own old-fashioned charm, bringing back fond childhood memories. Surrounded by cotton candy and carousels, it’s easy to feel like an 8-year-old again.
Get thrifty! Brighton is known as a Mecca for vintage clothing. In the North Laines are a number of small shops and expansive vintage warehouses. Make a pitstop at Sydney Street for stores like To Be Worn Again and Wolf & Gypsy. Nab a faux fur coat for as low as £25!
Find your inner artist. Vibrant and bohemian, Brighton is littered with art galleries, street art and music venues. In May, one of the UK’s biggest arts festivals is held here. The Brighton Museum and Art gallery offers free entrance to visitors, and at the Royal Pavillion Gardens, your creative side might be inspired by exhibits that range from film to fashion and architecture.
Stuff yourself silly. What’s a quick getaway without a whole lot of eating? Alongside boutiques and designer stores are restaurants that offer two- to three-course meals at student-friendly prices. FatLeo stole our hearts with surprisingly delicious Italian fare. An afternoon snack of red velvet slice at Angel Bakery is a treat, finished off with a creamy flat white at Coha Coffee. And, don’t forget, when in Brighton, you must have the quintessential British fare of fish and chips along the seaside.
As expected, my weekend turned out to be more of Discovery Travel & Living rather than MTV Spring Break. Nonetheless, Brighton did steal my heart. While a trip to the beach in winter sounds silly, Brighton proved it wasn’t.
Visit the author’s blog: https://littlemissdressup.blogspot.com.