Rainy day on Brighton Pier (March 2023)
Brighton is a city in the south of England, located right on the coast. It’s a popular seaside resort with its history dating back to the reign of King George IV in the 1820s and 1830s, who used Brighton as his retreat. Since then, it’s become a tourist spot, especially for Londoners as a getaway to the beach just an hour train ride away. Besides the beach, Brighton also has a huge art and music scene and a vibrant LGBTQ community, thus making it a lovely and accepting city in the UK.
I’d been meaning to visit Brighton for years, and I had the chance while in London last spring. I hopped on the morning train and took it down to the coast– within an hour, I arrived and was ready to start my day. The weather forecast had predicted rain that day, but fortunately, it was sunny upon arrival, and I had some time to explore before the rain got to me (more on it later in this post).
Upon exiting the train station, I headed first to North Laine and Trafalgar Lane, which are colorful, small streets filled with street art and boutiques and pubs to check out. My first impression of Brighton was just how many colorful houses there were on almost every street I passed– seriously, it was an array of rainbow everywhere I looked, which is a reflection of the LGBTQ community living there. Other than that, it certainly made for the most-colorful city I’ve visited in England by far!
North Laine
Trafalgar Lane
The colorful houses didn’t stop there, as I ventured uphill to Albion Hill, a residential neighborhood with even more multi-colored homes on each and every street. Even more so was that the buildings were on an incline, which made for dramatic photos reminiscent of the Painted Ladies in San Francisco (although even more houses)!
Colorful homes
More colorful homes
It was lunchtime, and I headed to Bardsley’s, a well-known fish and chip shop where I ordered, of course, fish and chips. While in a seaside town, I knew I had to get some proper fish and chips– and the one at Bardsley’s certainly did not disappoint. The fried cod was massive, crispy and flaky and tender all at the same time. The fries (or “chips”) were hearty and abundant, and I enjoyed my side of mushy peas– unpopular opinion, but I do actually like mushy peas!
Fish and chips (with mushy peas)
Unfortunately, the weather turned for the worse, as it began pouring rain as I was having lunch. I waited it out until the rain lessen, and then I took a long, 40-minute stroll all the way to the neighboring town of Hove to see the colorful beachside huts. They were all of various colors and patterns, and it was also pleasant to be near the water and smell the sea breeze.
Hove beach huts
I walked along the promenade all the way back to Brighton, where I enjoyed a pint at a cafΓ© by the water– sadly, it began raining again, and even though I tried to wait it out once more, it didn’t let up. Eventually, I braved the rain and did a quick walk on Brighton Pier before I headed to the Royal Pavilion not just to visit, but also to get out of the rain.
Pint by the water
Commissioned by King George IV, the Royal Pavilion was his seaside retreat back in the day and, due to its sheer size and opulence, is a symbol of royal power and a waste of public funds for the sake of frivolity. Stepping inside, you’re visually-assaulted with the red carpets, hundreds of chandeliers, and paintings depicting the king himself. Not only that, but it’s also home to a handful of Orientalist artworks, which definitely evoke a colonist attitude back in the day– even the architectural structure of the Royal Pavilion is in the style of palaces in India, which is very questionable.
Dining hall
Music room
Although the Royal Pavilion is garish and Orientalist, you can’t help but be shocked at the amount of stuff inside. You also can’t help but be fascinated and repulsed at the power of the royal family in the early 19th century for its frivolous means; I wasn’t sure how to make of the Royal Pavilion during my visit, except that it was extravagant and that King George IV was very “extra” back then.
I spent a good amount of time at the Royal Pavilion, but it was still not enough to wait out the rain. I decided just to head back to London early, since I couldn’t really stand trying to brave the heavy downpour (and wind!) for much longer. I caught the next train back to London, arriving back close to 18h00. While the rain put a damper on my visit to Brighton, overall I was happy to have finally visited and seen this charming (and very colorful) seaside resort.
…and that concludes my time in England! It was a busy trip packed with so much to see and discover not just in London, but also in other parts of the country. Although I stuck to southern England for this trip, I hope to venture north another time and see more. Following my visit of England, I went to France, so look out for my posts on it soon!
— Rebecca
Rebecca Goes Rendezvous 
It looks very bright
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Very colorful, indeed!
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Despite the rain you had a very good day of sightseeing!I love colorful beach huts and I’m sure I’d love all those bright houses too. That pavillion is really extravagant to say the least
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Brighton was colorful everywhere! The Royal Pavilion was an interesting experience (whether good or bad), and it certainly was a way to keep me away from the rain!
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You certainly made the best of your rainy day in Brighton. The beach huts and colorful houses look very inviting. Iβm looking forward to reading about your time in France!
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Thank you! I had a fun time in Brighton, despite the on-and-off rain. Stay tuned for France, as there will be a lot of posts from there, too!
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I love the bright colors on the buildings there, it does remind me of San Francisco. The fish and chips also look delicious!
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Yes! I believe San Francisco modelled its colorful, Victorian homes from England, hence the uncanny resemblance. The fish and chips were delicious and perfect for having in a seaside town π
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Look forward to reading your thoughts on France Rebecca
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Thanks, Sheree! Look out for the first of the series soon π
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Will do
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Thanks for this idea England. Such an amazing site last year . These houses are so amazing and this food so delicious π. Anita
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Thanks, Anita! Brighton is the place to be in the UK π
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I love all the colour! A nice contrast to the gloomy skies. Looking forward to the French posts, a country which has long been on my bucket list
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Thanks, Elle! Brighton is certainly bright in color on a rainy day. My France posts are coming soon, a series that’ll take this blog into the summer. Stay tuned!
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So glad you had time to visit the Royal Pavilion as it’s so beautiful. Brighton’s lanes and its iconic pier are lovely too.
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The Royal Pavilion was a very interesting place to explore, although I don’t know if it’s a place to revere or be repulsed by. Other than that, Brighton is a colorful city by the sea that’s an ideal visit as a day trip from London! Thanks for stopping by, Marion π
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The fish and chips look yummy and the colorful houses are very uplifting. Brighton resembles Santa Monica Pier in a way! Thank you for sharing!
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The fish and chips were hearty and delicious! Brighton is the UK version of Santa Monica, but rainier!
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Trafalgar lane looks like a hip place. Fish and chips looks delicious- what a perfect meal to have in Brighton. The chandeliers in the Royal Pavilion are certainly something! Looking forward to the France trip posts!
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Trafalgar Lane was very hip, full of cute boutiques and cool bars/restaurants; if I had more time in Brighton, I would’ve taken more time exploring it! Brighton was a wonderful city to cap off my time in England, and my France posts are coming very soon!
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Glad you chose to go to Brighton. Although I’ve never been to the Cotswolds or Bath, Brighton is very familiar for me! You would have passed through my hometown on the train and my degree is from Sussex University, at Falmer that joins on to Brighton. Bad luck with the rain! I took my Peruvian grandchildren last year, and , oh boy, did it rain!!!!!! One good thing about Lima…….. never rains!! You seem to have had a lovely trip to old Blighty!
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Thank you! I’d been meaning to go to Brighton for years, and despite the not-so-great weather that day, I’m glad I still went. Very cool that I was near your hometown, and I’m sure growing up in that part of England must bring lots of nostalgia for you…thanks for reading!
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Brighton looks like a great day trip! Love all the colorful buildings and murals. The fish and chips also looks great and I’d so enjoy going inside the Royal Pavilion. It’s tough when it’d down pouring and windy, but you braved it out pretty well!
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Brighton is indeed a very colorful city! Love the attention and care the locals bring to make it an open and inviting place. Rain is never ideal when traveling, but I did my best and still had a good time!
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I’ve never been to Brighton, but I love its vibrant colours, beautiful seafront and unique shops. I also love Brightonβs pier and how it is full of Victorian charm. Brightonβs famous pebble beach – especially in warmer summer months – would be a perfect place to go for a stroll, have fish and chips, or enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day π Aiva
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Brighton is a colorful and lively city, even when it’s raining! Gorgeous place by the sea, and it’s very accessible from London for a day trip. Thanks for reading, Aiva π
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Brighton looks worth visiting, even despite the rain. The colorful row houses and beach huts are charming. King George IV’s pavilion is quite over the top with its decor!
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Brighton is lovely city, and not too far from London for a day trip! Full of color and life. Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca π
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Thanks for that look at Brighton. I had no idea it was so pretty and colourful.
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Thanks for reading!
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I’m glad you made it down to Brighton, and had a pretty good time despite the rain. Your pint looks very much like Guinness? The Royal Pavilion was the crowning extravagance of George IV while still Prince Regent, which he became when his father George III went mad. He was one of the most fun-obsessed and extravagant of all our monarchs, but not typical. The Eastern styles may feel inappropriate now but were very much of their day and while we can deplore his indulgences I guess he can be credited with putting Brighton on the map as a resort, and to a lesser extent many other resorts in the country, as people who couldn’t afford to go to Brighton started to look for alternatives π
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Very insightful, Sarah! Yes, the Royal Pavilion is seen as garish and offensive today, but you have to admit, George IV did well in attracting visitors to Brighton because of it! Not sure if I’d revisit the Royal Pavilion, but I’m glad I got such a wild trip through it, haha! Yes, I had a Guinness with some cherry flavoring, which wasn’t really my thing, but I do appreciate a straight Guinness! Thanks for reading π
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Cherry in Guinness – just no!
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Brighton is lovely but too bad you had such awful weather! I’ve only ever been in scorching sun! The Pavilion is a mad place isn’t, and at the time it was something completely different and I think was largely seen as an attempt to mirror other cultures (even though now the design can be seen as offensive). My husband said to me when we visited – ‘it’s just a garishly decadent version of you insisting on putting up Portuguese tiles in the kitchen’!! I argued that’s a bit different than turning the house in to a replica Taj Mahal!!! It’s the last thing you expect to see in Brighton, and I’m glad they have put wording in their exhibition about colonialism now.
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Exactly! The Royal Pavilion was quite a trip, haha! I’m glad that the place is aware of its Orientalist/colonialist past and is working to bring light to it now. I suppose visiting Brighton in the early spring is a toss-up as to whether I’d get good or not-so-good weather…turned out I had the latter! All the same, I still had a good time in town, and I’m glad I finally got to visit Brighton after all these years! Thanks for reading, Han π
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Ha, I took one look at that sky in the cover photo and thought: “Yup, that’s a March day in Brighton”. Still, you got around a bit which is great and did well in seeking out plenty of splashes of colour to balance out the dreariness. I would love to tour the Royal Pavilion. King George IV was a somewhat unique king and, (reckless opulence indeed), this is such an historic place. I would definitely try a cherry flavoured Guinness.
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Yes, it’s a toss-up as to whether you’ll get good or not-so-good weather in March! The Royal Pavilion was a wild trip, which left me with mixed results; I don’t know if I’d revisit, but it was a very-intriguing experience. Honestly, the cherry-flavored Guinness was not my cup of tea (tasted medicinal), so I’ll stick to plain ol’ Guinness next time! Thanks for reading, Leighton π
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Despite the rain in the last part of the day, itβs good you were able to explore Brighton and see the colorful street and houses. Iβm intrigued about the fish and chipsβ mushy peas – itβs my first time to see them. Looking forward to your posts about your adventures in France!
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Thank you! Despite the rainy day, I still had a good time in Brighton! Mushy peas is an acquired taste, but I like them; they vaguely resemble the taste and consistency of mung bean soup, if you’ve ever had that! My adventures in France are coming very soon!
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I have a friend who used to live in Brighton with his husband before they moved closer to London, or at least that’s what I remember. In the past, he often posted videos on his Instagram of the sunny weather in Brighton. But never when it was raining. Well, it’s England after all!
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I can imagine why your friend would only post about Brighton when it’s sunny out; it doesn’t look very great when it’s raining! π Brighton is nevertheless a colorful city with vibrant architecture that makes up for the dreary days. Thanks for reading, Bama!
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Beautiful photos! I love Brighton and playing in the arcade even on a wet windy day!
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Thank you! Brighton is lovely, whether rain or shine!
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I love the colors, so unusual for England! And I didn’t realize it was so close to London. The boardwalk reminds me of my days on New Jersey beaches in younger days. I’ll keep it in mind if I ever get back there.
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Yes, Brighton is about an hour away from London, making for a perfect day trip or weekend away! It has that East Coast beach charm, and I hope you can swing by some day π
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Quite typical for the south coast of England, with the exception of a few places. And, I agree. Take the train from London to Brighton and enjoy the lovely landscape.
On the central south coast, it’s almost always sunny. I’m not familiar enough with Brighton, but I think it is often very sunny too.
Plymouth, in the west, can be really gloomy.
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I think I just picked the less-than-stellar day to visit Brighton; I recall the other days weren’t rainy! Any case, I enjoyed my visit, and I’m glad I finally got to see the city after years of it being on my bucket list. Thanks for stopping by!
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I visited Brighton many years ago when I was a kid and only remember its aquarium and its lively and vibrant atmosphere. Since then, I have always wanted to come back and stay longer to explore more of the city. Thanks for taking us with you!
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You’re welcome! Brighton is charming seaside city; I didn’t have the best weather when I visited, but it was still wonderful checking out its colorful buildings and street art. I hope you can return to explore it again!
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That level of extravagance always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. On the one hand, it’s impressive and ornate. On the other, it’s completely unnecessary. I’m glad to see I’m not alone in those feelings.
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I agree! Elegant and refined are classy, but gaudy and outlandish are not.
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inside the royal pavilion looks amazing Rebecca. the weather looks awful but you got there. I haven’t visited Brighton – well the one in the UK – but i definitely want to see it because of the pier and the pavilion. thanks for sharing! π
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Despite the rain, it was a fun visit to Brighton. Hope you can make it over some day! Thanks for reading, Andy.
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