Postcards of the Past
Some articles etc about Brighton.
"A Brief History of Brighton"
by Sarah Maple.

Brighton is perhaps one of the nation's favourite seaside towns and has a special place in the
hearts of many. It's famous for its pier, pebbly beaches and naughty comedy postcards.

Brighton's humble beginnings however started when the Saxons conquered Sussex in the 5th
century AD. One of them was called Beorthelm and it is thought that the name Brighton evolved
from this Saxon name. Brighton developed throughout the middle ages despite suffering from
coastal erosion which swallowed a great deal of farmland. The town was also burned down by
the French in the 17th century however was subsequently rebuilt thanks to the wooden
construction of many of its buildings and began to flourish afterwards with a thriving fishing
industry. The 18th century really saw Brighton take off and in 1787 the most famous building in
Brighton, the Pavillion, was built for the first time.

The 19th century saw further rapid expansion and in 1841 a railway to London opened which
made it much easier for visitors to reach Brighton. By 1848 it was estimated that 250,000 people
visited Brighton each year. It was during this period that West Pier was built in 1866 and Palace
Pier in 1899. Brighton saw extensive damage during the Second World War with 56 air raids
causing over 5,000 houses to be damaged or destroyed.

Brighton and Hove was made a city in 2000 and in December 2002 West Pier partly collapsed
when severe weather hit Brighton. Unfortunately Brighton's other pier, the Palace Pier was
damaged by fire in February 2003 although it has subsequently reopened. Brighton is thriving
today however and has an active scene for clubbers and party goers. Brighton also sees regular
gay pride events due to its cosmopolitan and diverse culture.

To find out more about Brighton and to get detailed business listings, reviews, guides and maps
visit WeLoveLocal.com's
Brighton Guide and find out what this amazing city has to offer.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Maple
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"Brighton Marina - Glitz and Glamour on Britain's South
Coast"
by Callum Saunders

Brighton’s much more than fish and chips.

Whilst for many, the mere mention of Brighton evokes images of the pier, fish and chips on the
beach, sticks of rock and cheeky postcards, it’s easy to forget that there’s much more to this
thriving metropolis than meets common preconceptions.

One of Brighton’s most up and coming areas is a far cry from the traditional kitsch associated with
English seaside resorts. Brighton Marina lies a stones throw from the varied and vibrant centre
yet possesses its own unique and stylish culture. Mind you, you’d expect that from the largest
marina complex in Europe…

Glitz and Glamour…

Brighton Marina’s 126 acres is home to over 1600 yachts. Ranging from sailing enthusiasts to
millionaires, humble vessels to floating palaces, the Marina offers visitors to Brighton a much
glitzier and glamorous experience to their seafront shenanigans. Whether you are holidaying
along the South Coast or using it as a starting pint for an exotic excursion, Brighton Marina offers
that extra ‘suave’ in the sun.

Endless Entertainment…

Brighton Marina offers holidaymakers a colossal array of entertainment right on their doorsteps.
The complex boasts a superstore for those on self-catering breaks, an eight-screen cinema
complex, bowling alley, casino, over thirty retail outlets, and nearly twenty different cafes, bars
and restaurants. Not to mention sailing and fishing activities for the more adventurous of you out
there! If you’re looking for a quieter evening than one spent in central Brighton, but don’t want to
compromise on culture, atmosphere and amenities, then the Marina is the playground for you.

Accommodation

Brighton Marina boasts an array of accommodation options to suit every kind of holidaymaker.
From floating yachts to top-notch hotels, residential properties to holiday homes, there’s
something right for your needs. There are a growing number of holiday homes available in this
luxury complex, and self-catering apartments truly give you the freedom to explore the beauty of
Brighton your way.

For a beautiful array of holiday homes available within Brighton Marina and around Sussex, visit
http://www.brightonmarinaapartments.com

Callum Saunders is a freelance writer with over five years worth of writing experience. His
extensive portfolio includes copywriting for local businesses, including marketing, advertising and
promotional copy as well as web content and press releases. He also possesses a broad range
of journalistic experience, having written for several publications including The Sussex Express,
The Wharf, Docklands News and TNT magazine. With an individual approach tailored to your
specific requirements, Callum can ensure that words work for you!
callum@castlegate-tech.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Callum_Saunders
"Things To Do Within Brighton For The History Fan"
By Alison Bembridge

With so many different histories to offer, you can feel freer in Brighton than in most British cities to
select trips which coincide with your interests – and of course, you're much more-likely to find
Brighton things to do which bring the history you love to life.

The Lanes Armoury

For the lover of militaria, a visit to The Lanes Armoury is a must with a difference. The Armoury's
housed in a three-storey 16th century building and is a real treasure trove – it's a museum which
is not a museum as everything is for sale. It has been nominated and then short-listed for the
British Antique & Collectors Awards as the best Antique Shop in Great Britain and is the latest
incarnation of a much older business – Hawkins – which was one of the earliest and largest
dealers in Antiques and Collectibles within Europe. It's their specialisation in Arms, Armour,
Militaria, and Books which really marks them out and creates such a fascinating and fantastic
place to visit. From bronze-age swords, suits of armour, guns, revolvers, duelling pistols,
American Civil war swords through to medals and World War II weapons, it's all there to be
viewed and drooled over. It's not a museum but when you leave, you've had the same
experience!

History in the Public House

If you're expecting to find historic pubs in Brighton, the town will not let you down but delight you
with its ancient alehouses. The Cricketers on Black Lion St. in The Lanes is reputably the oldest
and occupies a site where there has been a hostelry present since 1547. It Lists amongst its
most-famous residents a certain Jack the Ripper and the first person who set up as landlord,
Derrick Carver was famously burnt at the stake just for holding inappropriate religious beliefs –
not a good idea at the time! The pub's main claim to fame is its immortalisation in Graham
Green's novel 'Brighton Rock'. Another old hostelry, The King and Queen, in Marlborough Place
can be found on the Old Steine, in a large historic building, while having a more modern look and
dating back just to the 1930's, is The Ladies Mile in Mackie Avenue (Patcham) and this still
retains some of the original features from the thirties.

Be Guided Electronically

History can really come to life when you get the story from an expert while wandering around the
evidence. You can make it reveal its story now as you wander around either The Royal Pavilion
area, Regency Brighton or The Laines when you take an MP3 tour. All you have to do is to rent
the technology and then get walking. The guide will take you on an exciting tour, explaining the
sights as you go.

The Volks Electric Railway

If 'What the Victorians did for us' is one of your passions you then you should take a trip on the
Volks Electric Railway. This was one of the first electric passenger-carrying railways in the world
– the first in Britain - being created in 1883 by Magnus Volk and it is the oldest one still in service.
It takes you several miles along the seafront from Brighton Pier (The Palace Pier) to Black Rock.
The railway operates a fleet of 10 cars (what we laypersons call 'trains') dating from 1883 to
1930 and carrying some 30-40 people apiece. Their quaint and antique appearance makes
travelling on the Volks a trip back into the past.

Brighton's Fishy Past

Being a seaside town it's not at all surprising to find a Fishing Museum which covers all aspects
of the history of the trade – including the tasting! It's located right in the middle of town and forms
a focus for Brighton's fishing quarter. Within the museum is a reflection of sea-based activities
spanning from the Regency period right up to the post-war boom in tourism and pleasure boats.
The exhibition features a 27-foot beach boat, along with photographs, prints and memorabilia
from Brighton's fishing industry. During the summer months and when the weather allows, the
museum operates a twelve-seater passenger boat, aptly named The Skylark, on which they
provide short trips for the public.

For the more-serious student, a computer archive is available and this provides a wealth of
information about the local industry and the people involved in it. Right next to the museum are a
couple of shellfish stalls and a smoked fish shop, enabling you to actually taste the end product
of this still-alive local industry.

Brighton's Art and History

Brighton Museum and Art gallery is the main museum in the city and this has recently been
extensively remodelled. It is located in the Pavilion Gardens, adjacent to the Royal Pavilion and
has good disabled access and an educational pavilion which houses comprehensive
educational facilities. Its collections reflect both local and national interests and community
involvement has enabled new galleries to reflect the lives of the modern local population. The
main galleries are: Fine Art, Fashion and Style, 20th century Art and Design, Mr Willet's Popular
Pottery, Images of Brighton, World Art and Discovery, Body and Performance.

The museum is open year round but closed on Mondays, except for public holidays.

The Hove Town Museum

Hove Museum has also been redeveloped in recent years and new galleries of modern design
installed. The main galleries of the museum are the Local History Gallery, Toy Gallery,
Contemporary Craft Galleries, Film Gallery and Paintings Gallery. The museum is open all year
round but closed on Mondays – including bank holidays.

Preston Manor: The Rich and their Servants

Preston Manor provides the visitor with a peek into the life of an Edwardian house of the gentry
which houses its strict demarcation between upstairs and downstairs. It was originally built
around 1600, rebuilt in 1738 and then extended quite extensively in 1905. The contents of the
house, together with the house itself, provide a fascinating, and unfortunately rare, opportunity to
look at life during the early part of the 20th century.

More than twenty rooms are open to visitors, these spanning four floors of the building and
including the servants' quarters, butler's pantry and kitchens which are 'downstairs' in the
basement, right up to the nursery and attic bedrooms on the fourth floor. Outside the house it is a
walled garden and a pets' cemetery. The house is open from April to the end of September but
can be visited by special arrangement for groups at any time.

And when the tourists are gone, Preston Manor keeps its spooky image! In fact, on a recent TV
show, it was considered to be one of the most-haunted in Britain. The TV crew who made the
film for the 'Most-haunted' series reported more mysterious goings on than at any other site
they'd visited. One of the presenters, Karl, was convinced that he had been visited by the
manor's White Lady. There's always been tales of all types of ghostly experiences at Preston
Manor, from the mediaeval nun, Sister Agnes, who helped travellers on their way to the White
Lady and the Lady in Grey who elegantly glides down the main staircase. In modern times,
doors lock themselves, lights to turn off and and on and all manner of bumps and creaks and
groans can be heard by those with the ear.

Fortunately, you no longer just have to believe me – you can experience the spooky
supernatural for yourself at one of the many special events held at the manor. On Halloween, for
example, you can come dressed-up for the part and see what the evening turns up. Later on in
the year, at the beginning of December, you can try out the Christmas Ghost Tours or, in
October and November sign up for one of the family ghost tours. You need to book, whenever
you go along to be scared.

Historical Brighton Awaits Your Visit

As there's so much history to be explored in the city, and so many historical Brighton things to
do, you will really need to plan your trip carefully if you're to make the most of it. If you need any
more contact details, there's lots more historical Brighton things to do on my site at http://www.
yourbrightonvisit.com. I hope to see you there and then in Brighton.

Hello, I'm Alice and I love travel. I love to meet the people where I go and to hear what they think
of the world - and particularly of their home town. However, most of all, I love Brighton. Every
time I visit the place, I find something new to enjoy. I'm amazed at the variety of experiences
which it has to offer. I can't see how any visitor, whether they're with their family, on their own or
with a bunch of stags or hens, can fail to have a good time.

It's not just what's on offer in Brighton which impresses me, it's the ease of availability of
everything. Perhaps it's because Brighton is such a compact place or perhaps it's because they
- the locals - have been doing it for so long that they've got good - no really, really good - at
welcoming the visitor. They do have an unfair advantage though, when they've got a town that's
so well-blessed with attractions, is so well situated, has great accommodation, fantastic
restaurants and has such good connections with the rest of the world. Still, let's not get jealous,
let's just get along to Brighton and enjoy the things to do there!

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Bembridge
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