From Brighthelmstone to Brighton: the back story

About From Brighthelmstone to Brighton: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Brighton Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Brighton was once Brighthelmstone, a fishing town whose old street pattern survives in the Lanes. In the 18th century, sea-bathing became fashionable, and the Prince of Wales, later George IV, made the town his seaside home; his Royal Pavilion, remodelled by John Nash with Indian domes outside and Chinese-inspired rooms within, is still its centrepiece. Regency terraces, squares and crescents followed along the seafront, from Kemp Town in the east to Brunswick Town in Hove. The railway from London brought day-trippers, and the Victorians built the piers: the West Pier opened in 1866, in the West Pier Trust’s words, and the Palace Pier at the end of the century. SEA LIFE Brighton, opened in 1872, describes itself as the world’s oldest continually operating aquarium.

Brighthelmstone

The medieval fishing town of Brighthelmstone lay where the Lanes are today: its narrow streets and twittens are the oldest part of the city.

The Prince and the Pavilion

The Prince of Wales first came to Brighton in the 1780s. His seaside house grew into the Royal Pavilion, remodelled by John Nash in the early 19th century, with its domes and minarets outside and extraordinary Chinese-inspired interiors.

Start at the Royal Pavilion, walk the Lanes, then follow the seafront between the two piers.

Regency terraces

The fashion for the sea brought the great Regency terraces, squares and crescents: Kemp Town to the east, Regency Square in the middle, and Brunswick Square and Adelaide Crescent in Hove.

The railway and the piers

The railway from London opened the seaside to everyone. The West Pier, designed by Eugenius Birch, opened in 1866, in the West Pier Trust’s words; its ruins still stand in the sea. The Palace Pier, opened at the end of the century, is still the city’s pleasure pier, and SEA LIFE Brighton has been on Marine Parade since 1872.

The city today

Brighton and Hove became a city in 2000. The Brighton i360, a viewing tower by the West Pier, carries its glass pod to 138 metres, in its own words.

Our advice: book the Royal Pavilion on the Brighton & Hove Museums website, and keep an evening for the seafront at sunset.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with From Brighthelmstone to Brighton: the back story before you go.