Visit the Coral racing track...
by shufflefarm
Visit the Coral racing track for an evening of Greyhound Racing. Brighton is a gamblers paradise (horse racing/casinos/fruit machines,etc) but for good fun with friends, visit the Coral Dog racing stadium in Hove. You can watch from the restaurant above the track or from trackside. You can spend as little or as much as you like and there's a great atmosphere there (especially on the busy Saturday night). My fondest memory of Brighton is the beach. I used to live on the seafront road and it was fantastic to go out and walk along the beach as the sun was rising. On a cloudless/windless day, the sea looked like one giant sheet of glass, a fantastic colour of green meeting the pale blue sky at the horizon. There would be no one else around and I felt like the whole scene was just for me.
Whenever, I'm away, I miss the people of Brighton the most. There is such an evident diversity of people living in Brighton, whether it be through religion, sexual preference , nationality, or culture. Everyone is doing their own thing and living live the way they want to and whilst there is sometimes trouble (as with anywhere else) there is also a great deal of tolerance, more so than anywhere else I know.
Burning of the clocks
by chelston
This is not a long-standing tradition - its probably been going for 10 or so years, but its fun.
In December, at around the time of the shortest day there is a celebration in Brighton that features a parade of paper lanterns lit by candles. The lanterns range from small and simple to massive and exotic. Many of them are made by local children.
There is a parade through Brighton to the beach where the lanterns are piled up and burned.
Its very popular with locals, thousands turn out to see it and its great to have a free event in the midst of all the shopping in the lead-up to Christmas.
Packing List
by Aragina
Depends on how you are travelling, but suitcases or rucksacks are fine, but we dont have a lot of porters anymore and you will be expected to carry your own stuff. Airports have luggage carriers though :-) Brighton can vary in temprature but in Summer tops and shorts are fine in winter good warm clothing. BUT!! no matter what time of year, keep you eye on the weather forcasts and get an Umbrella, :-) it can appear even on a nice sunny day. Just use good common sense and you cant go far wrong. You can buy everything you need in Brighton, but make sure you have enough prescriprion drugs with you to last, if you do not belong to the EU as Medical costs are high and a lot of meds cant be bought over the counter, if you are not sure go to
http://www.wellbeing.com/atp/index.jsp
they have a lot of info there. Brighton can deal with any of your Photographic needs it may be a little more expensive than the US and Canada though. Camping is a big popular holiday in the UK with stores in every town and city, great campgrounds all over. go to
http://camping.uk-directory.com/
you will find what you need there.
Lewes Fireworks
by amapola66
Firework Night (Guy Fawkes) - Nov 5th (or near) - A famous event celebrated annually and dates back years. "In Lewes this event not only marks the date of the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, but also commemorates the memory of 17 Protestant martyrs who were burnt at the stake in the town during the Marian Persecutions of 1555–1557".
The town, inland from Brighton has bonfire societies which organise events throughout the year, for the annual fetivities. They all have different costumes which they adorn in the parade which is probably the best part.
Kind of dark and medievil, you could be in a long gone time, the roads are all closed and a variety of effigies are 'burnt' (including the Pope, so if this offends you, then please stay away!). Lighted crosses and torches are carried through the town amid continuously exploding fireworks and bangers and hearty shouts of "burn 'em" - Noisy! The parade ends with at least five firework displays with bonfires etc...
I would not recommend this for small children, unless you have a base there. The queues in and out of Brighton/London are long and tiring, but if you have older children with a tough streak, go for it ; ) but for a great experience of Olde England in traditional English cobbled streets, you can't really do much better!
Tips - Parades usually start around 6pm or a bit later, then the burning crosses are thrown in the river, the firework displays are late, I think last years were around midnight., so you are out for a long time. Wrap up warm, with good walking boots and decide on a meeting point should someone get lost, it is very crowded. I would also take some snacks and a flask of Hot Toddy to help keep you warm. Strangers are generally discouraged from visiting the event and there is a slight feel of this, but that doesn't stop them coming to one of the best firework displays inthe UK.
(More soon)
Sumptous Nibbles !
by amapola66 about Bona Foodie
Kemp Town's sumptuous deli is a joy after the inevitability of the usual supermarket foods.
I often pop in on a Saturday morning to pick up a few yummies for a weekend brunch, especially in the summer where we enjoy eating in our little patio garden. Another excuse to go there is to take a picnic down to the beach.
Bona Foodie stock quality packaged and fresh delights and organic foods from different corners of the world. Much of their produce comes from local farmers and they stock yummies to fit every every mood. They're Belgian chocolate selection is also irresistable.
If I have guests down for the weekend, (especially Mum) I often take them in there for a coffee and a chocolate which we have on the little patio at the back if the weather is good. Staff are charming and helpful.
Extra detail - They also have a lovely clean and flowery loo ; ) Fresh home made bread.
Cheeses (especailly Manchego)
Provencal Anchovies
Home baked quiche and pizzas
Potato Salad
Artichoke Hearts
Olives , Olive Oils and Vinegars
Honeys and Jams
Hams and sausages from around the world (if you like that sort of thing)
They have a great stock of Belgian chocolates. Not much or loads, depending on how hungry you are!
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Billboard outside
Ladyboys of Bangkok
The play's the thing!
Brighton memorial garden
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