Words by Pippa Moyle
www.citygirlnetwork.com
A Brighton Girl Visitor Guide to the perfect sunny day in the city.
We’re in the hotbed of visitor season. Pride, holidays, DFL/BHs (Down From Londoners/Burgess Hill), friend trips – all cascading down Queens Road. It’s fantastic for the local economy, paradise for the seagulls, but comes with a lot of pressure for those being visited.
It’s a sunny day, your friends have come down to see you, and you want to show off your home. What do you do?! Here’s what I’d recommend (if money was no object).
Assuming that the day begins at Brighton Station, walk down Trafalgar Street, turn right onto the iconic Sydney Street and follow the pink A Board to Dandy. Coffee shop by day, English Wine Bar by Friday and Saturday night. Dandy Iced Oat Latte in hand, meander through our precious North Laine, with a special walk through Kensington Gardens and, of course, exploring Snoopers Paradise.
From Kensington Gardens, make your way down Gardner Street – commenting on how cool Komedia’s legs look. Then onwards to New Road, home to the gorgeous Theatre Royal, Brighton Dome and Pavillion Gardens entrance, which you’ll be walking through next.
Walk through the Pavillion Gardens to East Street and find yourself a Beryl Bike using the app – you’re cycling to Sea Lanes! Alternatively, you could get a bus (12,14 or 27) or just walk for 18 minutes. What you decide to do next is very mood-dependent, but I’d recommend either swimming in the Sea Lanes pool, having a Beach Box Sauna session or joining a yoga class at Luna Wave (advance booking advised). Fika and Bison Beach Bar will get you rehydrated.
Next, hop back on the bike (or bus/feet), and follow the beach to Shelter Hall. A street food market with sea views: idyllic.
The next few hours will pass in a state of “meander”. If you’re with a friend who loves to browse shops, pop back to The Lanes – you could even visit the new Charity Supermarket that’s opened in Churchill Square.
You could take your more active friends Kayaking with Brighton Watersports or play a game at Sixes Social Cricket. And for your leisurely pals, I’d advise soaking up the sunshine at Tempest, Brighton Music Hall or, obviously, the beach.
Your final destination of the day is Rockwater (via Velvet for that shopping friend and Nostos for dinner) – the perfect place to watch the sunset.
