For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
The Queen gave Brighton a royal seal of approval when she promoted the seaside resort to city status a few years ago. With so much restoration work reaching fruition, it’s time to celebrate Brighton’s architectural heritage. As well as a wealth of restaurants, bars and cute boutiques, this patch of the country has an action-packed cultural programme.
If you suspect Brighton has lost too much of its gently debauched character, if it's sunny, and if you're feeling brave, head east along the pebbles towards the marina until you find the nudist section of the beach.
… strolling along Kings Road Arches, alternating a browse in the occasional shop with a pint, coffee or seafood snack at one of the little cafés, bars and outlets along the shore.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Brighton
Stylish, contemporary and a far cry from the traditional chintzy bed and breakfast, the Square hotel offers a very sleek version of a Brighton weekend.
The decadence, the lush furnishings and the enormous beds of this Brighton boutique bolt hole make Blanch House the ideal indulgent weekend getaway at a hotel that benefits from a B&B-style intimacy.
The large airy rooms in Drakes' spacious Regency building take full advantage of the seafront location, and glorious windows promised let the light flood in.
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
Mid April–mid May Brighton Arts Fringe festival (www.brightonfringe.net). May 3–25 Brighton Festival is the biggest arts event in England. First week in August is Gay Pride (www.brightonpride.org). October Brighton comedy festival (www.brightoncomedyfestival.com). New Year's Eve Firework display on Brighton Pier, which can be watched from rooms with a view.
For a fishy lunch on Brighton’s pebbly beach in summer, head to this traditional fish-smoking shack on the seafront, still run by the eponymous Jack and Linda. You’ll get addictive homemade fish soup and the best grilled-mackerel sandwiches imaginable, for under £3; perfect with a squeeze of lemon.
197 Kings Road Arches, Brighton BN1
This deli-cum-café meets organic greengrocer is fantastic for a hearty and healthy lunch, which is just as well since browsing its shelves is bound to whet the appetite. Among the bottles of Tuscan olive oil, home-made marmalade and fresh-cut flowers, you can pick from a plentiful menu of soups, salads and sandwiches, all made to make your mouth water. We love to wash down our boiled eggs and soldiers with a Bloody Mary… There’s a branch in Lewes, too (www.billsproducestore.co.uk).
100 North Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1YE
This sea-green castle is in the heart of the Lanes in Brighton, a stroll from the seafront, and has a fantastic restaurant. The waiters can be relied on to recommend the most delicious complement to what is always an exceptional French-bistro-style meal, and with due consideration for your budget.
Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AD
Housed in a former bank, this fine-dining restaurant on Buckingham Place in Brighton has a seasonal à la carte menu that rotates every six weeks, featuring fresh produce from Sussex and Kent.
1 Buckingham Place, Seven Dials, Brighton BN1 3TD
The Mod Euro cuisine at this intimate restaurant on Brighton’s Norfolk Square is among the city’s most acclaimed.
21a Norfolk Square, Brighton BN1 2PD
Located within Drakes Hotel, this restaurant (formerly the Gingerman), has excellent menus featuring the best of British and local surf and turf – try Rye Bay scallops or South Downs lamb. Diners can also opt for the chef's five-course tasting menu.
43–44 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1PE
This fantastic seafront restaurant, nestled between the arches by the beach, has a seasonal menu of Sussex’s best regional produce, including oysters, lamb and sea bass, complemented by some excellent organic and bio-dynamic wines. New World labels are shunned in favour of bottles from our Continental neighbours to minimise food (or rather wine) miles. Definitely earmark Due South for at least one visit: it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
139 Kings Road Arches, Brighton BN1 2FN
This hotel has a fantastic, intimate restaurant, with seasonal à la carte and tasting menus, and chic little cocktail bar. Book ahead.
17 Atlingworth Street, Brighton BN2 1PL
This bar, deli and restaurant serves excellent tapas and modern Spanish cuisine alongside a good selection of sherries and cavas, and had the critics raving soon after it opened. It’s Brighton’s best recent addition by a long shot.
95 Western Road, Brighton BN1 2LB
Find out what’s on here for an entire night of entertainment, kicking off with mouthwatering tapas at affordable prices; downstairs is a cabaret bar that offers live entertainment nightly, in jazz-club environs. See up-to-date listings at www.joogleberry.com.
14–17 Manchester Street, Brighton BN2 1TF
Head here for excellent club nights and live bands; check current listings at www.concorde2.co.uk.
Madeira Shelter Hall, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN
Cool bar and club venue attracting a young, energetic crowd, with seating that positively encourages mingling and a restaurant for pre-dance dining. Music ranges from soul to break beats.
10 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL
Great dance-music club on three floors, incorporating the Social Club (all-white cocktail lounge), the Live Lounge (red-hued cabaret room), and the Funktion Suite (industrial basement bar and dance floor). Oh, and there’s a restaurant, too.
1 Morley Street, Brighton BN2 9RA
Saturday nights are Supper Club nights at this beautifully restored music hall that revels in its swingin’ 1930s glamour. You can sit yourself down on the Philippe Starck furniture and dine fine while you soak up a soundtrack of well-programmed live jazz and Latin music (www.thehanburyclub.com).
83 St George’s Road, Brighton BN2 1EF
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