by Elisabeth Knapp

Created on: June 09, 2009

In the 1640s the seaside town of Brighton (or Brighthelmstone as it was then called) had a population of roughly 4,000.

Today, one of the gems of the south coast, Brighton in East Sussex, awarded city status in the year 2000, has a population of well over 150,000 people and attracts nearly 8 million visitors every year.

With it's laid back, friendly and accepting attitude, Brighton is a magnet for pleasure seekers as well as being a safe haven for many. With over 400 pubs and bars, it's casinos and countless restaurants, serving anything from locally sourced fresh fish to Lebanese cuisine (not to mention it's legendary club scene), it's not difficult to see why 'London- by- the- sea' attracts so many visitors.

As well as being a mecca for the revellers, Brighton also caters for those looking for a more artistic and cultural experience. The Brighton Centre for instance, plays host to all manner of comedy and music acts, as well as dance troops and other entertainment. Also not to be missed is Brighton Festival week. Staged annually, the Brighton Festival promotes the best art, drama and music that the city has to offer, with special productions, film premieres and outside performances.

Those travelling to Brighton are spoilt for choice in terms of travel and accommodation. The city is less than an hour from London by rail, and places to stay range from the luxury hotel to basic hostel accommodation for backpackers. Personal recommendations I could give include the Queens Hotel and The Old Ship Hotel (prices vary).

It is not difficult to get around either. Brighton's white and aqua-marine taxis are to be seen all over the city cheaper than any London black cab, they are a great way to get anywhere not quite in walking distance. You also could not find a better mine of local information than from a Brighton cabby.

Any review of Brighton could not be complete without mentioning the shopping! Churchill Square shopping centre has every high street store you would expect from a large sized mall, this coupled with Brighton's historic lanes (famous for it's jewellery stores) makes the city the perfect place to indulge in some retail therapy.

Whether you are going for a long weekend, or even for your annual holiday, Brighton does not disappoint. This vibrant and exciting city really could give any other major city around the world a run for it's money.

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