Brighton

Brighton is busy whenever the sun shines, but July and August can be unbearable, as the town fills up with thousands of partygoers and families heading for the beach. Bright, crisp autumn (September to November) and early spring days (March to May) are the best time, when the beach belongs to the locals and its historic shopping quarter, the Lanes, remains unclogged by tourists.

These are also the months when you can browse the fab shops in peace, and get a table in the top restaurants without having to book in advance. The Brighton Festival – a nationally-recognised art and cultural event – takes place every May.

Brighton is about a 1.5-hour drive from London, and there are excellent rail connections from London’s Victoria or London Bridge terminals, with a journey time of about an hour. Gatwick Airport is a 30-minute drive away, too (20 minutes by train).

Eminently walkable, the station is at the north end of town, with Queen’s Road leading you directly to the beach. On the left, North Laine is a clutch of streets home to small cafés and vintage shops, while further south are the famous ‘Lanes’, a lattice of alleyways dotted with funky boutiques and coffee houses.

At the seafront, head east to Kemptown – Brighton’s vibrant gay village – or west to the Regency streets and squares of Hove.

Brighton is a party town, so your location really depends on how much sleep you want to get. Kemptown is where most of the serious partying goes on, while the further west you get towards Hove, the quieter things become. Many of the bigger hotels are actually on the seafront, and although they offer wonderful views, they overlook the busy main road that runs along the prom.

Many of the best hotels are squirrelled  away in the Regency squares and streets between Brighton and Hove – still an easy walk to where the action is, but far enough removed to feel peaceful.

Most tourists head to the Lanes to shop and eat, but the North Laine area is the locals’ choice; a lattice of streets dotted with boutiques, ethnic shops and vegan restaurants and a classic Brighton vibe.