A Short History of Brighton’s Beaches
The English resort town of Brighton has been a fashionable seaside destination since the end of the 18th century. The brisk sea air and chilly water has been a retreat for many seeking rest and recuperation, most notably George IV (then the Prince of Wales), who first visited in 1783 and whose patronage and the subsequent construction of the Royal Pavilion helped put Brighton on the list of many holiday-goers.
Located in the city of Brighton and Hove on the south coast of Great Britain in East Sussex, Brighton — formerly known as Brighthelmston — was in existence since before 1086, when William the Conqueror commissioned a great survey of all of the shires in England. The findings of this survey were organised and compiled in what is known as the Doomsday Book. In 1514, Brighthelmston was burnt to the ground during a raid by the French. Only a portion of the St Nicholas Church and the pattern of streets called ‘The Lanes’ remained.
During the mid 1700s, Dr. Richard Russell began promoting the bathing in and drinking of seawater — especially the water from Brighton — building a thriving practise with regular visits from his patients. Around 1780, the Georgian terraces that were built among the fishing villages increased the popularity of the area by the affluent. The Royal Pavilion was built in the early 1800s, making Brighton a regular holiday destination for England’s royalty and nobility. However, George’s niece, Queen Victoria, disliked Brighton, preferring more secluded surroundings.
For a time, Brighton lost a bit of its popularity, possibly due to the advent of air travel, which put other, more desirable beaches within reach. Brighton’s beaches are not the typical soft, sandy beaches that one might imagine for a holiday destination. Coarse round pebbles make up the surface of the beaches, making walking barefoot somewhat uncomfortable for those with tender feet. Despite this, the number and variety of hotels Brighton thrives on do a brisk business.
Today, Brighton’s beaches remain a popular tourist destination and exude a party-like, carnival atmosphere. Brighton hotels can be found in all parts of town, as well as other accommodations from hostels and bungalows right on the seaside to luxury townhouses and villas near the Royal Pavilion. For those who choose a hotel, Brighton is sure to have lodgings to suit nearly any taste. Today, Brighton hotels reflect accommodations for a range of budgets, depending on location and amenities.
Brighton has a thriving lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) community, and is the focus of a number of events each year, including the Gay Pride carnival in August and Winter Pride in March.
A history of Brighton — and of British seaside towns in general — would not be complete without mention of the saucy postcards that have been popular tokens in local shops since the first quarter of the 20th century. Named McGill cards for the artist who popularized them, these suggestive postcards remain popular today, featuring color-washed art with saucy captions.
This article first appeared on EzineArticles.com
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