Life in Brighton
Welcome to Brighton. Beach life reigns supreme here. Sunbathing, BBQs and dips in the sea are a rite of passage for any new resident. And performing is in Brighton’s bones.
Ask the average passer-by on the street, and they’ll describe this city as creative, progressive, historic yet contemporary, and a magnet for international tourism. Furthermore, Brighton is a mecca for artists and performers alike. With its electric atmosphere, living in Brighton is unlike living anywhere else.
In 2019, Brighton was voted the happiest place to live and work in the UK (CV-Library), not least because of its award-winning beach. Few locations can boast a cosmopolitan city lifestyle just a short walk from an iconic seaside escape. Plus, the beach gains an outdoor cinema every summer!
Of course, there’s more to Brighton than just sun, sea and… pebbles. Annual music, arts and cultural festivals like Brighton Fringe, Pride, The Great Escape and an abundance of culinary events make this city an inspiring place to live and study.
Brighton boasts a vibrant performing arts scene, with enchanting theatres and cultural events celebrating acting, dance, and musical theatre. The city’s historic theatres, like the Brighton Dome and Theatre Royal, stand as iconic venues that have hosted an array of captivating performances, from classic plays to contemporary productions. These spaces come alive with the rhythm of dance, as the annual Brighton Fringe Festival showcases an eclectic mix of dance performances, from traditional ballet to avant-garde modern dance. Musical theatre enthusiasts are in for a treat, with various local and touring productions gracing the stages of venues like the Komedia and the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts. Brighton’s performing arts theme reverberates through its streets, bringing a harmonious blend of creativity and culture to all who visit.
When the sun sets, Brighton’s legendary nightlife kicks in. The city boasts over 200 pubs and bars; there are more bars and pubs per square mile than any other city in the UK.
Most of Brighton’s clubs, including Concorde 2, Patterns, Coalition and the Green Door Store, hold gigs in the early evening before opening up to their regular club nights later.
There is an event to cater for every taste almost every night of the week. Don’t worry about missing out on anything though – you’ll be handed flyers at every street corner, and most pubs, bars, and cafes will have the latest what’s on guide.
Whatever your taste and budget, you’ll find plenty of places to eat in Brighton. There are over 400 restaurants, more than anywhere in the UK outside of London, which provide food from all cuisines.
Around every corner, you’re likely to find your new favourite, but a couple of ours are Fatto a Manno and Alcampo Lounge (both conveniently placed on London Road), Easy Tiger (Indian small plates) and La Choza (excellent Mexican street food).
Dietary requirements? Don’t stress; Brighton is spoilt for choice with its wide range of vegan & vegetarian eateries. Check out Purezza (plant-based pizzas), Happy Maki (vegan sushi) and Beelzebab’s at The Hope & Ruin (vegan hot dogs, kebabs and loaded fries).
Brighton can satisfy all your shopping needs; big-name stores can be found in Churchill Square shopping centre and on Western Road, but if you’re looking for something a bit more off-beat, then visit the bohemian North Laine; a laid-back area of independent clothes shops, cafes and record shops.
This is not to be confused with the upmarket South Lanes area with its cobbled alleyways of exclusive fashion boutiques and expensive antiques, though this is equally worth a visit (even if it’s just for a good window-shop!).
As well as its charming beach, Brighton is full of beautiful green spaces. Take a trip to Royal Pavilion Garden, Stanmer Park, Preston Park or Hove Park and see what they offer. During the colder months, the parks are great for fresh air without bracing the windy seafront.
Brighton is famous for its pebble stone beach, stretching from one side of the city to the other, but if you venture just a little further afield, you’ll soon find yourself in some of England’s most beautiful countryside.
Follow Brighton Beach to the East, and you’ll hit Peacehaven, Newhaven and the beautiful Seven Sisters Country Park before hitting the larger towns of Eastbourne and Hastings.
Easily accessible by public transport, bike, or car, the South Downs National Park boasts 1,600km squared of diverse and picturesque natural beauty, a cinematographer’s dream. From the dramatic white cliffs of Seven Sisters to the Court Garden Vineyard and the woodlands of Western Weald, you’re pretty spoiled for scenic choice.
Bike
Brighton is a super cyclist-friendly city with bike lanes and bike storage all over the city. It’s also part of the National Cycle Network and has an official cycle route along the seafront.
You can rent city bikes through the BTN BikeShare App, which costs 3p per minute. If you live a short distance from one of our locations, it might be the most cost-effective way to travel.
Bus
Buses are everywhere in Brighton (which makes getting around super easy). There’s a handy app to plan your route as well.
Taxi
There’s no shortage of taxis and taxi ranks in the city centre. The main ones are at Brighton Train Station, East Street, Queen’s Square and Hove Town Hall. Other businesses, such as Uber and Free Now, are also available.
Train
If you’re living outside the city, it’s easily accessible from either Brighton or Hove mainline station. Trains also frequently run to and from London Victoria and London Bridge.
Plane
Gatwick Airport is only 45 minutes away from Brighton by car or train. Gatwick Express also runs to and from the airport straight to the station. London Stansted and London Heathrow airports are also accessible by train and by National Express.
Any Questions?
For any questions regarding Brighton student life or if you’d like more information on how to apply to Performers College Brighton, please contact our Enquiries Team on 01273 840 346 or email [email protected].
