BRIGHTON

The city of Brighton and Hove has everything - sun, sea, brilliant clubs, great places to eat, fabulous shops, a cosmopolitan vibe and an extraordinary atmosphere of tolerance and freedom. Many people come here to study and fall in love with the place, vowing never to leave. So what exactly is it about this lively, cultured city that makes it so appealing?

Brighton has a long history as a fashionable holiday resort, originally made famous by the Prince Regent (later King George IV) whose extravagant home, the Royal Pavilion remains a beautiful folly and one of our many treasures. Brighton's popularity grew throughout the 19th century, and the Victorians added Brighton Pier and a seafront promenade to the miles of pebble beaches.

Today's Brighton is just as fashionable and popular as it was in the Prince Regent's day, but now the city keeps going all year round. Its eccentric atmosphere makes it a place where you can do anything and be anyone - yet it is small enough for you to bump into friends in the centre. It absorbs all kinds of people and leaves them with an enduring affection for this unique and liberated city.

Eating out

Whether you're a gourmet or a fast food addict you'll find plenty to suit your palate - Thai, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, unrivalled vegetarian, Mongolian and, arguably, the best fish and chips in the world. Brighton has many eateries offering cheap and cheerful menus. In particular, Preston Street is lined with restaurants and hot competition keeps prices down. There are plenty of pizza and pasta joints, and a number of excellent greasy spoons, such as the Market Diner which supplies the city with carbs throughout the night. The streets of the North Laine are dotted with a wealth of interesting cafes and bistros, ranging from the organic to the seriously unhealthy. Whatever your tastes, you won't go hungry.

Nightlife

When the sun sets Brighton's legendary nightlife kicks in. The city boasts over two hundred pubs and bars, ranging from the traditional spit and sawdust variety to the distinctly chilled out and trendy. Popular venues include the beachfront Fortunes of War, great for winter warmers but even better on balmy summer evenings; The George, serving up great veggie food, and Ali-Cats cellar bar, good for cocktails and early evening cult film showings. Some bars focus on live performances, from stand-up comedy to live bands. Well-known examples are the Free Butt, a popular music venue, and the Komedia theatre café-bar.

When the clock strikes eleven and the pubs kick out Brighton's club scene has plenty to keep you going into the early hours. Home of Big Beat and our very own Fatboy Slim, clubbing in Brighton is a way of life. Any night of the week and all through the weekend you'll find a club that suits your mood. As well as the long established classics, new nights pop up all the time with big name DJs and London clubs bringing their specialist nights down to the water's edge.

Cultural life

Self-consciously creative, Brighton has a truly diverse cultural scene with a wealth of theatres, cinemas, venues and galleries. From pre-West End premieres at the Theatre Royal to the variety of experimental fringe productions staged throughout the city, you'll find something to entertain you. The Gardner Arts Centre on the University of Sussex campus is a well-known venue for dance and contemporary theatre and, back in Brighton, there are plenty of opportunities to catch stand-up comedy, cabaret and open-mike nights.

Cinema goers will find plenty to keep them happy. Brighton boasts two multiplex cinemas offering mainstream movies. If art-house cinema is more your thing head straight for the Duke of York's, a Brighton treasure and the oldest purpose built cinema in Britain. The Gardner Arts Centre also shows avant-garde and classic movies, as does Cinematheque at the Brighton Media Centre. And in true Brighton style, the beach plays host to big screen cult films on summer evenings.

Music

Classical music lovers are well catered for at the Dome , Brighton's recently restored Art-Deco concert venue. Home to the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra and a state-of-the-art acoustic system, the 1800-capacity Dome also plays host to blues, pop, rock, jazz, dub, world and club. Opera buffs can take advantage of world famous Glyndebourne, centre for opera and just a few miles down the road. The Brighton Centre and Concorde 2 are Brighton's major rock and pop venues but on any day of the week you'll find gigs in pub venues, small clubs, on street corners, in parks and even on the beach. The University of Sussex Students' Union also organises entertainment, including live bands, cabaret and charity events.

Great shopping

With the best shopping south of London, Brighton's wares range from the conventional to the truly bizarre, all within walking distance of one another. Big name stores can be found in the Churchill Square shopping centre but if you're looking for something slightly offbeat, head for the North Laine, a laid-back enclave of independent clothes shops, cafes and record shops, peddling everything from vegetarian shoes to designer labels. For more up-market merchandise, The Lanes offer antiques, exclusive fashions and jewellery amongst the cobbled alleyways and converted fisherman's cottages.

Sporting opportunities

As well as the sports facilities on campus, there are many sporting opportunities in nearby Brighton and Hove: two public swimming pools, five golf courses, water sports, greyhound and horse racing, ten-pin bowling, and ice skating.

Local sporting events include international cycle races, the British Windsurfing Championships and international tennis and beach volleyball tournaments. Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club (the 'Seagulls'), Sussex County Cricket Club and the Brighton Bears basketball team all have their home grounds in the area.

In the country

Step outside of the city and you'll find yourself in some of the most beautiful countryside this country has to offer. Cradling the city, the South Downs provide breath-taking views, tranquil walks and plenty of opportunities for paragliding, mountain biking, hiking and rather more sedate picnics. Nestling amongst the Downs you'll find the historic towns of Lewes, Arundel, Chichester and any number of picturesque villages.

(text taken from the current University of Sussex postgraduate propectus)