Absolute Sussex and Beyond
Shopping in the North Laines, Brighton We all know that Brighton has a lot to boast about; a beautiful and buzzing seafront, an action-packed pier, an endless array of indie cafes and restaurants and an incredible and varied nightlife scene. Brighton has, however, one very well kept secret that captures the very essence of our Bohemian town; The North Laine. A shopping mecca for in-the-know Brightonians, this maze of over 400 colourful, wonderful and often weird independent shops keeps its visitors busy for hours as they wander through treasure troves stocking goodies that you just simply don’t find in the large chain stores. The name of this riot of retail dates back to Saxon times when ‘laine’ was a word used to describe the large arable fields that lay in Brighton. In this case, the laine in question consisted of five separate farming plots which themselves were split into smaller sections of land. It is the access tracks between each section that actually make up what is now the North Laine. The North Laine is so easy to find when you know where to look! As you arrive at Brighton station, instead of heading straight forward down the road well-trodden, swing a left and you are smack bang in alternative shopping heaven. www.northlaine.co.uk
Rampion Wind Farm Tour Brighton As you journey along the Sussex coast, you won’t fail to spot the battalion of wind turbines, standing proudly out to see. Captivated by their ingenuity and lured by their sleek form, both local residents and visitors alike are keen to get closer to the action to witness these now iconic sails at their full capacity. Such is the demand that Ross Boat Trips now offer 120 minutes sightseeing trips to the new Rampion Wind Farm array aboard Catamarans “Adept” (formally a wind farm transfer vessel) and “Voyager”. The 116 turbines are more than 8 miles off shore from Brighton and it takes about 45 minutes to get there. Adept or Voyager then enters the array field for approximately 30 minutes of slow cruising amongst the massive turbines and then those onboard get to witness panoramic views of the Sussex coast on the way back to Brighton Marina. www.rossboats.co.uk
The Royal Pavilion and Garden The Royal Pavilion is an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton with a colourful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China and is open for visitors throughout the year. Once you’ve taken in the opulent design of the Royal pavilion itself, be sure to take a wander through the beautiful Regency garden that surround it. Providing visitors and locals with a green haven in the heart of the city, the gardens are maintained under strict organic guidelines by a team of volunteers lead by the head gardener at the Royal Pavilion. This ‘nature assisted’ form of management promotes and supports bio-diversity within the gardens. Combined with the fact that the varied plant life attracts an amazing collection of butterflies, birds and bees, a stroll around the gardens is a feast for the senses and a celebration of nature. www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion
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