Britain’s Brighton

I have arrived in the other Brighton, staying on the beachfront at ‘A Room with a View’ – seriously that is the name of the B&B.

It is on the corner of Marine Parade and New Steine, a lovely street with a park in the centre.

And my room does have a view to the Royal Pier.

I say room, but it could be considered a ‘snug’, just enough room for the single bed and a desk under the window.

But it is very nicely appointed, is immaculate and has a little ensuite.

It is in an area known as a Kemp Town and there are lots of interesting coffee shops abound.

I met up with my friend Fr John Joyce SCP and went for a long stroll around Brighton.

We began with Mrs Fitzherbert’s house, mistress to the then Prince of Wales (boring house but her former presence was recorded).

And, of course, the Royal Pavilion, built by George, the said Prince of Wales, Prince Regent, in 1811 as a summer palace – he must have been on some serious drugs to have designed that folly.

I was particularly taken by The Lanes, a series of laneways full of small shops.

Lots of jewellery shops.

The Royal Theatre spoke of an earlier age, though the current production, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, did not.

There was the Chapel Royal

and another lane to the north but note the spelling change. These stores were very retro and groovy.

A long walk crowned by a delicious dinner with John and Anne at The Ginger Dog in Kemp Town.

And, of course, the Royal Pavilion, built by George, Prince of Wales and Prince Regent in 1811 as a summer palace – he must have been on some serious drugs to have designed that folly.

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