I have been to this event twice and it's varied greatly all due to the great British weather!!…read more The first year I went it was the hottest weekend of the summer and the most perfect way to spend a weekend. The event is on both the Saturday and Sunday in early July. The second time I went the weather was not very good and the sea pretty rough hence the event was not so popular and I felt hugely disappointed for all the people involved in putting this event together. So basically the idea is on the beach by Hove Lawns various water sport races take place over the weekend. Events such as paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, etc. various lengths and various age categories I believe. However the best bit to watch is the free for all race where all forms of water sports race around the west pier together. Quite a specticule to see, and soooo typically Brighton. On the good weather year they also had a race where people made all sorts of weird and wonderful rafts and raced them. This was hilarious to watch. Brilliant to photograph. Apart from the events in the water there is loads going on on Hove Lawns. Kids entertainments, live music, a range of stalls, bmx bike stunts, bouncy castles, food stalls, etc. seen as it's all free you can't really go wrong. So next year take a wonder down and have a look. Take a blanket and chill on the beach watching the water sports events, then have a wonder round the Hove lawn area and enjoy the atmosphere.

Paddle round the pier is a watersports, beach and music charity festival held over 2 days on Hove…read morelawns every July. This year is the festivals 20th anniversary! There is lots going on here, from music stages, various stands and stalls, food and drinks and watersports events throughout the weekend, including the famous paddle round the pier itself! This year has been a lovely event, with my personal faves being the ukulele stage - inspired me to go and pick up a uke haha! As always this event is very dependent on the weather, with the Saturday this year being quite windy and unpredictable, the sun came through for us on the Sunday :) This event is free of charge but feel free to make a donation to charity at one of the various buckets being passed around.

Does exactly what it says on the tin! Great fun driving the carts. They get you on the track with…read moreminimal fuss and everyone is really friendly. We had 2 x 15 minute sessions. That was perfect, I wasn't left feeling short changed like you can at some of these types of places. Plus it's indoor so no need to worry if it rains.

This is a small bike shop and workshop which is the base for cycle training courses. I have just…read moredone the one-day bike maintenance course. The course covers all the main components of the bike, how to clean and maintain them and how to set the bike up properly. I took my old hybrid with me and during the day we stripped it down to the frame, cleaned, greased, lubed, adjusted and re-assembled it. We also covered putting a wobbly wheel back into true and a bunch of other stuff. Lunch was included, plus there was plenty of cups of tea and coffee being made. My bike maintenance knowledge was pretty basic - fixing a puncture, changing basic components like brake blocks. I have to say I have learned loads, my bike has had a full service and I had a a lot of fun on the day. Highly recommended.

Can't praise this place enough. It is awesome place for kids to come to play or cycle…read more One thing to note is the queue for drinks or food is huge (there is only one place to go for it) so it is worth bringing your own

Pinetum is a really beautiful place of nature in Kent. It was somewhere I visited as a child and…read morehave revisited as an adult, and it's still as nice as ever. It has lots of tall pine trees, colourful rhododendrons and beautiful greenery. This place is full of life and beauty and I love going here to soak up and enjoy all that nature energy. There are lots of twists and turns here as you walk through, making the park interesting. Pinetum is a good place for nature lovers, families wanting a day out, people wanting to give their dog a bit of an adventure (although they have to be kept on a lead). A lovely lovely place and well worth a visit.

I booked a tour of the wind farm in 2019 for a Christmas present for my partner. Due to Covid we…read moreonly managed to do the trip last Sunday (5th September). The people who run the boats are very friendly, we left on time, and the trip was great! However, I think a commentary ( live, or recorded) would be beneficial. A lot of people had questions about the wind farm , which luckily my partner had a bit of knowledge so could chat about them, and the proposal to enlarge it. Also it would be good to actually serve drinks rather than just advertise them. After all, it's a 2 hour round trip. I think you are missing a trick Rossboats !

I started fly fishing here after attending a one-day introductory course with my son. I can highly…read morerecommend the course - by the afternoon you are on the banks of the lake casting 'fluff' (flies without hooks). I've been back with a mate for a couple of evening fishing sessions - if you trace the roads around the lake you can find car parks which are free and avoid any crowds. Still no fish as yet...

I absolutely love this place, although I haven't been recently. It's where I spent much of my…read morechildhood with my family - coming here to enjoy the big open green space, the huge reservoir, the trees and the wildlife. There are little rabbits everywhere, and they were always my favourite reason for coming here as a small boy! It's possible to walk around the entire reservoir - which is around a 13 mile walk. It's really really beautiful and relaxing - and a good bit of exercise too. For those into boats and being on the reservoir, there are lots of people sailing on the water. For the kids there's an adventure playground. There's something for everyone.

We went to play mini golf on a Saturday afternoon. It was a fantastic pirate themed course and as I…read morehavent been mini golfing in ages, such a laugh. There are 18 holes and a great water feature, caves, and pirate ship decoration throughout the course. For £5 it was a bargain because it took over an hour to complete with our group. Glad we arrived early as it did get quite busy behind us. There were a few holes that were a bit run down, one in particular had no fake grass but others were brand new. I am thinking that they may be in the process of redoing them for summer. It didnt effect my terrible golf game one way or the other though. There was a cafe outside with ice cream and drinks, so I had a post golf Magnum and diet pepsi. There is an inside play area which would be great if you had kids for parties. Had a great day out and as it was cheap, will definitely be back.

I must say, their restaurant is actually really nice! I had a hotdog, chips, peas and Coke and boy,…read moredid I enjoy it! Very wholesome chips and lovely sausage inside the bun! I saw a few kids having a lot of fun in the ball pit; so soft play must be great! Personally, I went in the pool outside. It was a lovely day (they had the squirting animal on) and just really enjoyed the visit. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a family day trip. Overall, a great day out!

One of the things that makes Brighton so unique is the madcap events that take place every year…read morelike the Naked Cycle Ride to raise awareness of environmental issues and the annual Christmas Day Swim. I've never been brave enough to consider paddling let alone swimming in mid winter but every Christmas Day, dozens of professional and amateur swimmers pull on their trunks and swimming costumes and go for a swim at 11am to the left of Brighton Pier. Hundreds of people turn up to watch and cheer them along and since 12 people had to be rescued in 2007 due to the treacherous weather, there's now lifeguards in the water - usually dressed in Santa Claus costumes or watersports gear with reindeer horns. I love going to watch and seeing the swimmers emerge a few minutes later looking pleased as punch with themselves. Since its usually freezing - I should mention that they normally emerge shivering, going blue / purple and reaching for the flasks of coffee and brandy their loved one are anxiously holding!

This has to be one of those events where I question the sanity of the participants. Usually, I am…read morenot in Brighton for xmas, but for the 2008 festive season I was back in town to visit friends (living in Sweden at the time, I decided to do the rounds for Christmas). We had been up the night before and a touch worse for wear, decided to go watch people get very cold! I must admit that I now have a lot more respect for some people's spirit! It was a cold day and the sea was fairly choppy. Still, this didn't put off a steady stream of folk, who donned their speedo's to take a dip. Some people came with wetsuits (seemed like a good idea), but a lot of the older aquatic adventurers went hardcore in their basic bathing suits. We hung around for about 30 minutes and aside from looking pretty cold, everyone involved looked to be having a good time. I'm not sure if this is something I would recommend participation in, but for a heart'warming' and entertaining start to your Christmas celebrations, this is well worth taking a little stroll down to the beach for.