Brighton and the south coast of England :: University of Sussex Study Abroad Guide 2008-2009

Brighton and the south coast of England

In fact, so accommodating is Brighton that many students fall in love with the place and hate to leave it. So what is it about this city of culture, candyfloss and clubs that makes it so appealing?

The culture

Self-consciously creative, Brighton has a truly diverse cultural scene with a wealth of theatres, cinemas and galleries. From pre-West End premieres at the Theatre Royal to the variety of experimental fringe productions staged throughout the city, you’ll find something to entertain you.

The Komedia, Brighton Dome, and Hove Town Hall offer plenty of opportunities to catch stand-up comedy, cabaret and open-mike nights.

Cinema-goers will find plenty to keep them happy. Brighton hosts two multiplex cinemas offering 17 screens for mainstream movies. If art-house cinema is more your thing, head straight to the Duke of York’s, a Brighton treasure and the oldest purpose-built cinema in Britain. And, in true Brighton style, the beach plays host to big-screen cult films on summer evenings.

The nightlife

When the sun sets Brighton’s legendary nightlife kicks in. The city boasts over 200 pubs and bars, ranging from the traditional variety to the distinctively chilled out. Popular venues include the beach front Fortune of War, great for winter warmers but even better on balmy summer evenings; the George, serving up great vegetarian food in a lively atmosphere; and Ali-Cats cellar bar, good for cocktails, and early evening cult film showings.

When the pubs close plenty of life can be found until the early hours in Brighton’s clubs. Clubbing in Brighton is a way of life: any night of the week and throughout the weekend you’ll find a club for you. Whether you’re up for a big night out at the Event II or prefer the intimacy of the Funky Buddha Lounge, if you love your Kylie, rock or RnB, Brighton has plenty to keep you interested. As well as established classics, new nights pop up all the time with big name DJs and London clubs bringing their specialist nights to the water’s edge. Too numerous to name them all, classic Brighton club nights include Dynamite Boogaloo at Audio, Wild Fruit at Tru and Contagious at the Honey Club.

The annual events

The highlight of the cultural year is the annual Brighton Festival. Held in May, it’s England’s biggest arts festival, attracting hundreds of performers to its three-week stint. This is your chance to catch internationally renowned musicians, dancers, poets and writers. Complementing the mainstream festival is the Brighton Fringe, a heady mix of comedians, artists, speakers and street performers who spill out into the parks and onto the streets, entertaining the city night and day. And when the Festival finishes there’s always another event to fill the streets, including the London to Brighton Bike Ride, Party in the Park, the Veteran Car Run, and the biggest free Pride festival in the UK – a week long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture. In October, the Paramount Brighton Comedy Festival comes to town. You’ll struggle to find a weekend when there isn’t something going on.

The live music

Classical music lovers are well catered for at the Dome, Brighton’s art deco concert venue. Home to the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra and a state-of-the-art acoustic system, the 1,800-capacity Dome also plays host to blues, pop and rock. Opera buffs can take advantage of the world famous Glyndebourne opera house just a few miles down the road. The Brighton Centre and Concorde 2 are Brighton’s major live music venues, but on any day of the week you will find gigs in pubs, small clubs, parks, on street corners and even on the beach. The University of Sussex Students’ Union also organises on- and off-campus entertainment, including live bands, cabaret and charity events.

The shopping

When you’re in need of retail therapy Brighton can satisfy even the most jaded credit card addict. With the best shopping south of London, Brighton’s wares range from the conventional to the truly bizarre, all within walking distance. Big name stores can be found in Churchill Square shopping centre, but if you’re looking for something slightly more off-beat, head for the North Laine area, a laid-back enclave of independent clothes shops, cafés and record shops, peddling everything from vegetarian shoes to designer labels. For more up-market merchandise, The Lanes offer antiques, exclusive fashions and jewellery among cobbled alleyways and converted fishermen’s cottages.

The food

Whether you’re a gourmet or a fast food addict you’ll find plenty to suit your palate in Brighton: Thai, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, vegetarian, Mongolian and, arguably, the best fish and chips in the world. There are plenty of pizza and pasta joints, and a number of excellent diner-style cafés such as the Market Diner, which supplies the city with carbs throughout the night. The streets of the North Laine area are dotted with interesting cafés, juice bars and bistros, ranging from the organic to the seriously unhealthy. Whatever your tastes, or your budget, you won’t go hungry.

The fresh air

Step outside of the city and you’ll find yourself in some of the most beautiful countryside England has to offer. Cradling the city, and adjacent to the Sussex campus the South Downs provide breathtaking views, tranquil walks and plenty of opportunities for paragliding, mountain biking, hiking or sedate picnics. Stanmer Park, situated next to the University, has acres of open space, woods, two farms, and a traditional village street complete with a shop and a tearoom. Along the Downs, you’ll find the historic towns of Lewes, Arundel, Chichester and any number of picturesque villages.

The proximity to London

If you fancy a change from candyfloss and the beach, the bright lights of London are just one hour away by train. Close enough to visit for the day or the evening, London is a fascinating cosmopolitan capital city with historic sites such as the Tower of London and modern attractions such as the London Eye. If you want to travel further afield, London Gatwick airport is half an hour away by train from Brighton – the perfect jumping off point to explore Europe and beyond.

Nwayieze’s perspective

‘I’m really enjoying living in Brighton, rightfully dubbed “London by the sea”. With its historical architecture, beachside location and exciting surroundings, Brighton is the perfect place for international students to study and make a home away from home.

‘There is always something to keep you occupied, whether it’s the lively seafront, cool tourist attractions, the wide variety of restaurants and shops, or the tranquil South Downs.’

Nwayieze Ndukwe,
from Rutgers University, USA, studied in the School of Life Sciences

Study Abroad Guide 2008

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