Beachy Brighton

Welcome to Brighton Pier

To say that the morning was a bit hectic might be a bit of an understatement. It actually played out much like a movie. Lindsay & I had tickets for a 956A train to Brighton. We decided to leave our flat at around 915A, fairly leisurely actually. The was probably the first bad choice. Our train was supposed to leave from London Bridge which is about 20 minutes away by tube, so we were cutting it close. We arrived at the LB tube station at about 950A and had to collect our tickets for the train. No surprise: the line was lengthy and we had exactly 5 minutes (maybe less) to collect our tickets and board. At 954A we were at the ticket machine, in the process of collecting our tickets after waiting very impatiently; literally counting the seconds. As soon as our tickets were printed, we ran full force (imagine a girl running in heels across the station… comical, to say the least) to the gate where the train was to leave from. It was still waiting, doors open. I put my ticket through the machine and crossed through and waited for Linds as she frantically tried to find the right ticket to shove through the slot (we were clearly disheveled at this point). She finally made it through and we ran to the train just as the doors were shutting. We maniacally pressed the ‘open door’ button on the train and watched as the travelers sitting ever-so-comfortably inside the cars stared at our faces as they took off. Seriously. Scene out of a movie. We were so close, yet so far. As luck would have it though, there was another train to Brighton leaving at 1015A (a train for which our tickets would work!), so we grabbed some much-needed caffeine and quietly chose our seats on the train. Moral of the story: cutting it close is not fun; 10 extra minutes to get ready means frantically running around town to make it on time.

Brighton Beach

In any case, we made it to Brighton with no plan, no map and no idea of what there was to see or do — the recipe for a perfect day. After picking up a map of the city at the train station, we decided to head to the Brighton Pier and then check out the Lanes — fun, funky little shopping areas to grab vegan cuisine, Native American jewelry or vintage goods. First stop: Brighton Pier for a glimpse of the beach and a taste of California. As luck would have it, it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. A little windy, but the sun was shining and the weather was pretty mild. It actually felt like Santa Cruz during this time of year and for a few hours we felt like we were transported back home! The Pier itself is darling; very much like the boardwalk: carousel, henna tattoos, candy, ice cream, roller coasters, bumper cars, the works!

The Pier

In true Shannon & Lindsay fashion

Needless to say, we spent a good while exploring the pier, enjoying delicious fish & chips (from Harry Ramsden’s… allegedly the best fish & chips in town) and wearing sunglasses because we finally could! It wasn’t quite the same beachy smell as in California, not as salty and sandy, but the wind on the pier was definitely a bit nostalgic.

We crossed through the lanes on our way back to the station, loving all of the fun shops that decorate the streets of Brighton. The town is seriously so cute and so fun! They have the most eclectic selection of shops and very few chains. We saw ONE Pret the entire time we were there! In true beach town fashion, the main shopping thoroughfare is dotted with loads of vegetarian, vegan and organic restaurants and shops… so perfect! It made for the most perfect day trip ever and a second trip in the summer is definitely a must! Out of all of the little towns that I’ve seen (Canterbury, Cambridge, Bristol, Chester, etc.), Brighton tops my list. I may be biased… it may just remind me so much of California (Santa Cruz/Monterey, specifically) that it’s a way for me to feel like I’m home for a bit, but I really doubt I could find someone who doesn’t like this place! It’s definitely a must see for anyone living in London!

Heading to the beach

As a side note, something else that makes Brighton amazing? Street art. Everywhere! Brighton is such a fun, young town that it seems fitting that select streets are covered in art; so cool: