Backpacking in England: Top 3 Sights to See in Brighton

Brighton is a beautiful city to visit and super conveniently located just a 45-minute train ride from Gatwick Airport. It’s sometimes referred to as London by the sea, as it’s the closest seaside town to the capital. There’s a definite hustle and bustle here that’s not dissimilar to London, but there’s a distinctly bohemian vibe that really is unique to Brighton. Get yourself a train down to the station and hope that the sun shines for your backpacking adventure, though, even if it doesn’t, the seafront is rather atmospheric in rainy weather!

Enjoy the Music at The Prince Albert

There are plenty of music related sights to see in Brighton, but this quirky pub manages to combine a couple of the big hitters. It’s conveniently located just under the archway by the train station exit, so it’s a good place to start off your tour of Brighton. The first thing you’ll notice as you exit the archway is the absolute riot of colour that is graffitied onto the facade of the building. This mural is particularly famous as it features legends from the music scene who have sadly passed away. Names such as Ian Curtis, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson adorn the walls along with the recent addition of Aretha Franklin, and dozens of others. It’s a beautiful work of art, but also a great talking point to spark a conversation about the great rock legends. Don’t forget to peak around the corner for a look at Banksy’s famous kissing policeman. Once inside grab yourself a drink and get ready for some noise. The downstairs of the pub is a welcoming, typical British pub, but upstairs there are gigs most nights of the week. It would be a shame for you to miss it!

Visit Brighton Racecourse

Brighton Racecourse is situated on a hill overlooking the town, so even if you’re not a big horse racing fan, you can enjoy sweeping views over the South Downs to one side and Brighton and the sea beyond to the other. Much as the views are stunning from such a vantage point, the real joy of a trip to the racecourse is obviously the racing! Brighton is a compact course for visitors to travel around, meaning that you’ll never be too late to watch the horses parade, place a bet, or catch the start of the next race. It’s a great first-time venue for that reason, it’s great being able to watch all of the action and thoroughly enjoy the day, without having to worry about missing anything. If for whatever reason you do get caught short of time though and really want to place a bet but can’t make it down to the on-course bookmakers and back up to the grandstands in time for the off, then there’s no need to worry. Brighton Racecourse provides free wifi for all attendees and allows betting on any betting sites. The big benefit of this is that if you get a particularly good spot in the stands then you don’t have to leave it to place a bet. Of course, the other benefit is that you can search around for the best odds, sometimes better than you’ll find on course. SBO.net has compiled a list of all of their recommended betting sites in the UK, along with sign-up promotions that could mean you could bet totally free of charge on your day at the races.

Wander Around the Royal Pavilion

Probably the most recognizable building in Brighton, the Royal Pavilion is an absolutely stunning palace that was commissioned by King George IV to combine the most decadent elements of the Regency style with the most opulent examples of Far Eastern architecture. The result is appropriately known as the pleasure palace, a whirlwind of architectural ideas. Domes, turrets, archways and balustrades lead the eye around the staggering detail of the building. Whilst it’s certainly beautiful from the outside (and well worth posing in front of for a few travel shots) it’s even better inside. You don’t need to book a ticket, but if you’re traveling in the summertime then it’s advisable as it can get very busy. As soon as you step inside the doors of the Royal Pavilion you’ll be greeted with a cascade of colour. King George certainly spared no expense on the interior of the palace, installing enormous chandeliers, hanging heavy brightly coloured drapes, and adorning the walls with jewel-coloured murals of India and China. We won’t spoil the rest for you, but suffice it to say the pavilion really is a feast for the eyes.