Few places capture the spirit of the modern British seaside quite like Brighton. Set along the Sussex coastline and framed by rolling South Downs, the city has long attracted visitors seeking a distinctive mix of beachside relaxation, creative energy, and urban sophistication. Once a fashionable retreat for royalty and high society, Brighton has reinvented itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic coastal destinations, offering an experience that extends far beyond the traditional bucket-and-spade holiday.
1.0 A Seaside Resort with Historic Appeal
Brighton’s transformation into a leisure destination began in the eighteenth century, when sea bathing was promoted for its health benefits and the town became a favoured resort for wealthy Londoners (Walton, 2000). The construction of the Royal Pavilion, with its exotic Indo-Saracenic design, cemented Brighton’s reputation as a place of fashion, leisure, and spectacle.
From a tourism perspective, this heritage continues to shape Brighton’s appeal. Built heritage, promenades, and the iconic Brighton Palace Pier provide tangible links to the golden age of the British seaside. Jarratt (2021) argues that such architectural features play a crucial role in shaping the emotional experience of seaside visitors, offering nostalgia alongside visual drama.
2.0 The Beach: Pebbles, Promenades and Pleasure
Unlike many English resorts, Brighton is famous for its pebble beach, which stretches for miles along the Channel. While lacking sandcastles, the beach offers a distinctive atmosphere, enhanced by colourful beach huts, lively seafront cafés, and uninterrupted sea views.
Research into coastal tourism suggests that visitors increasingly value ambience, cleanliness, and accessibility over traditional beach activities (Phillips & House, 2009). Brighton’s well-maintained promenade, water sports facilities, and year-round events ensure that the beach remains a focal point for both tourists and locals.
3.0 Culture-Led Regeneration and Creative Tourism
One of Brighton’s most significant tourism successes lies in its ability to reinvent itself through culture-led regeneration. Rather than relying solely on its seaside heritage, the city has positioned itself as a centre for arts, music, festivals, and digital creativity.
Smith (2004) highlights Brighton as a leading example of how English seaside towns have used culture to revitalise their visitor economy. Attractions such as theatres, galleries, street art, and live music venues have transformed the city into a destination for creative and cultural tourism, particularly appealing to younger visitors and short-break travellers.
4.0 The Lanes, Shopping and Food Tourism
Beyond the beach, Brighton’s tourism experience is enriched by its independent retail and food scene. The narrow streets of The Lanes and North Laine are filled with boutique shops, antique dealers, cafés, and street food vendors, creating a strong sense of place and local identity.
Food tourism has become an increasingly important element of Brighton’s appeal. The city is known for its vegetarian and vegan cuisine, sustainable seafood, and diverse international flavours. According to VisitBritain (2024), culinary experiences are now a major motivator for domestic city-break tourism, and Brighton capitalises on this trend effectively.
5.0 Nightlife, Events and the Visitor Economy
Brighton’s reputation for vibrant nightlife further distinguishes it from many coastal resorts. From traditional pubs and cocktail bars to nightclubs and live music venues, the city offers evening entertainment that extends the tourist day and boosts overnight stays.
Major events such as Brighton Festival, Brighton Fringe, and Pride in Brighton attract large numbers of domestic and international visitors, reinforcing the city’s image as an inclusive and celebratory destination. Research by Maitland (2007) suggests that such events play a key role in sustaining urban coastal tourism, particularly outside peak summer months.
6.0 LGBTQ+ Tourism and Inclusive Destination Branding
Brighton is widely recognised as the UK’s LGBTQ+ capital, a reputation that significantly enhances its tourism profile. The city’s inclusive culture, visible LGBTQ+ spaces, and internationally renowned Pride celebrations attract visitors seeking safe, welcoming, and expressive travel experiences.
Pritchard et al. (2000) argue that inclusive destination branding can strengthen emotional connections between visitors and place. Brighton’s success in this area demonstrates how social values and tourism development can align to create a distinctive market position.
7.0 Accessibility and the City-Coast Hybrid
One of Brighton’s greatest advantages is its accessibility. Located less than an hour from London by train, it is ideally positioned for weekend breaks, day trips, and short holidays. This proximity supports what Maitland (2007) describes as the city–coast hybrid, where visitors enjoy both urban culture and seaside relaxation in a single trip.
Brighton’s compact layout encourages walking and cycling, aligning with broader trends towards sustainable and low-impact tourism.
8.0 Brighton’s Enduring Tourism Appeal
Brighton’s enduring popularity lies in its ability to balance heritage, innovation, and inclusivity. It offers visitors the familiarity of a traditional seaside resort while continually evolving to reflect changing lifestyles and travel preferences.
As Agarwal and Shaw (2007) note, coastal resorts that successfully diversify their tourism offer are best placed to thrive in a competitive leisure market. Brighton stands as a compelling example of how Britain’s seaside can remain relevant, creative, and economically resilient.
For holidaymakers, Brighton is not simply a beach destination—it is a place where culture meets the coast, where history and modernity coexist, and where the British seaside finds renewed meaning in the twenty-first century.
References
Agarwal, S. & Shaw, G. (2007) Managing Coastal Tourism Resorts: A Global Perspective. Clevedon: Channel View Publications.
Jarratt, D. (2021) The importance of built heritage in the English seaside experience. In: The Routledge Handbook of the Tourist Experience. London: Routledge.
Maitland, R. (2007) Cultural tourism and the development of new tourism areas in London. In: Cultural Tourism: Global and Local Perspectives. London: Routledge.
Phillips, M.R. & House, C. (2009) An evaluation of priorities for beach tourism. Tourism Management, 30(1), pp. 20–29.
Pritchard, A., Morgan, N., Sedgley, D. & Jenkins, A. (2000) Tourism and sexual identity: Gay tourism and the marketing of destinations. Tourism Management, 21(3), pp. 265–278.
Smith, M.K. (2004) Seeing a new side to seasides: Culturally regenerating the English seaside town. International Journal of Tourism Research, 6(1), pp. 17–28.
Walton, J.K. (2000) The British Seaside: Holidays and Resorts in the Twentieth Century. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
VisitBrighton (2024) Official Visitor Guide. Available at: https://www.visitbrighton.com
VisitBritain (2024) Seaside and Coastal Holidays in England. Available at: https://www.visitbritain.com.
