Unitary authority in England
| Coordinates: | 50.84, -0.13 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | TQ 31 06 |
Brighton and Hove sits on England’s south coast between the chalk ridges of the South Downs and the English Channel. Once two separate towns, the fishing village of Brighton and the smaller borough of Hove, it expanded in the Regency and Victorian eras and still shows that history in terraces and crescents, with landmarks such as the exotic Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Palace Pier.
The area has a lively cultural life, from the long-standing Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe to grassroots arts in North Laine and independent shops in The Lanes. It’s famous for a progressive social scene and a prominent LGBT+ community, while neighbourhoods such as Kemptown offer vibrant nightlife and queer-friendly venues.
Economically it relies on tourism and the seafront, but has also become a hub for digital, creative and knowledge industries, supported by students from the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton. The waterfront at Brighton Marina and numerous boutique businesses keep the city buzzing, and good rail links to London and easy access to the South Downs make it popular for commuters and day-trippers alike.