- London Experiences
- London-on-Sea
- Outside the M25
- Food & Drink Gifts
- Gifts for Couples
- Gifts for Him
- Gifts for Her
- Birthday Gifts
Brighton has been London's seaside escape for nearly 200 years. The railway made it possible for Londoners to swap the city for the coast, and they've been doing it ever since.
These days, Brighton has plenty of the things Londoners love about London — independent food, creative people, culture, nightlife, makers and a slightly alternative attitude. It just happens to have a beach.
And it's not just Brighton. Margate and the Sussex coast have become part of the Londoner's escape plan too.
So really, London-on-Sea is less a place and more an excuse to get out of London.
Brighton became the original London escape when the railway arrived in the 1840s. Suddenly, the seaside was close enough for Londoners to head down for the day.
Nearly two centuries later, the relationship is still going strong.
Brighton has even picked up names like Shoreditch-on-Sea, Camden-by-the-Sea and Hackney-on-Sea — shorthand for a place with a distinctly London-ish mix of creativity, culture, independent businesses and people who don't mind being a little different.
We're not saying Brighton is London.
We're just saying it makes a pretty good substitute when you fancy seeing the sea.
Needs a change of scenery but doesn't have the annual leave for an actual holiday.
Will happily get a train for something worth eating.
Came for the independent shops, galleries and makers. Stayed because there was too much good stuff going on.
Doesn't care whether it's technically a beach holiday. Just wants sea air, a boat and somewhere good for lunch.
Come here if you like…
Food, creativity, nightlife, makers and the sea. Brighton is the obvious one — but obvious doesn't mean boring
The one having a moment.
Art, creativity and enough personality to make the journey worthwhile.
When you really need to get out.
White cliffs, wildlife and a very good reason to swap the Tube for a boat.
Brighton's slightly bonkers palace. Built for the Prince Regent, covered in dragons and about as far from traditional British seaside architecture as you can get.
Don't just walk through them looking for somewhere to eat. Get lost. The narrow streets, independent shops, little bars and slightly chaotic mix of old and new are a big part of what makes Brighton feel like Brighton.
Right on the seafront, with the sort of view that makes going to an art gallery feel considerably less like homework. Even if you're not an art person, the building and setting are worth the trip.
Seven enormous white cliffs, a lot of sea and one of the best excuses for getting out of London for the day. The views are the main event, obviously.
Not exactly. It's a nickname most commonly associated with Brighton, which has had a particularly close relationship with London since the railway made the coast an easy escape in the 1840s. These days, people sometimes use it for other fashionable seaside spots too. We're using it for experiences that give Londoners a very good reason to head towards the coast.
Because Brighton has many of the things Londoners love about London — independent businesses, food, culture, creativity and nightlife — only with a beach thrown in. Hence the nickname. You may also hear Shoreditch-on-Sea, Camden-by-the-Sea or Hackney-on-Sea.
We think so. Especially when there's something worth going for. A pottery class, a foraging adventure, wine tasting or a trip along the Seven Sisters makes a rather better excuse than simply walking along the pier and heading home.
Quite a lot. The collection includes creative workshops, photography, foraging, wine tasting, food experiences, boat trips and even an overnight stay in Brighton. The sea is really just the backdrop.
Of course. That's rather the point. Brighton is an easy escape from London, while the Seven Sisters gives you a proper change of scenery without needing to book a week's holiday.
That's exactly what we think makes them interesting. They're experiences rather than things, and they're handpicked for being original, independent or slightly unexpected — the same reason we choose experiences for the rest of Indytute.
