Opened in 1980, this was Britain's first official nudist beach. Located at the far end of Brighton…read moreseafront opposite Duke's Mound and just before the Brighton Marina, it is close to the Black Rock station on Volk's Railway, and is shielded from the adjacent path and the railway by a bank of pebbles. Nude bathing, swimming, diving and windsurfing are permissable. The downer as a beach is that (like all of Brighton's beaches) it's all pebbly. The upside is that sand doesn't find its way into all those nooks and crannies There's a car park nearby, and buses stop on Marine Parade a short walk away. There are toilets in the Back Rock station building.

Brighton's only nudist beach. Luckily for those of you with sensitive eyes the area is shielded by…read morea raised area of shingle. Also there are signposts warning that this is a clothing-optional beach. I pass the beach fairly often (when walking along the shoreline), but rarely see anyone naked. Perhaps people are just afraid of having their assets frozen?

I was told during my travels that Brighton is where the British go for holiday. The city is vibrant…read moreand lively during the summer and there's quite a bit to do when the city. The beaches are nice but very rocky, so wear water shoes. The neighboring town of Hove is a little more mellow and there are several great restaurants a few blocks from the beach.

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it -…read morewe are going back from whence we came." ― John F. Kennedy As a Londoner, I must admit I envy how Brighton has the most beautiful beach in the area. I often come here to do some photography and there is a certain kind of charm in the way people fascinate the sea. They all gaze at it, some of them looking for answers or perhaps waiting for a lover which heart is at the ocean; and others like me, just contemplate its beauty. Through history, people have shown a deep connection with water, describing it in art, literature, and poetry. I'm in love with the way the lighting changes the whole atmosphere. On colder days, the sky would be grey and the waves would be high, making mad love with the ocean. On warmer days, indeed the sea could be calm and welcoming, opening its arms to embrace it's audience. Like Sophie said earlier, I think people take living by the sea for granted and don't appreciate its beauty. Because there's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away.

The Level is a funny old place. On the one hand, it's a great green space for lounging around with…read morefriends and a few beers in the summer. On the other hand, it is a roosting spot for some pretty dubious characters- I've seen a lot of quite open drug use happening just yards away from me, which can be a bit uncomfortable if you're just trying to have an innocent picnic! I'm generally a 'live and let live' kind of girl, but if you're a bit more sensitive... Although I guess it is technically a park, it feels a bit more like a green or a common, as it is essentially just a stretch of grass and a skate park. I just realized I'm still defining a park as somewhere that includes a children's play area. I'm 25! Oh dear. Despite my encounters with some dodgy goings on, I still enjoy a spot of sunbathing on the level, as it's really close to my house and lots of nice local pubs. And if you steer clear of the little wall lined with benches at the north perimeter, you'll be a-okay. There's plenty of space for Frisbee, football and all sorts of other summer games. In the Autumn the Level is visited by a funfair complete with waltzers, candy floss and groups of local youths.

the level puts everyone from all walks of life on a level playing field so to speak. You never know…read morewhat sorts of people you will get down here which can be good and bad. Think of it as an experience either way. People are always happy for you to get involved in their games and it is always good to spend sometime with people you have never met as you always learn something. At night however it can be a little bit strange so really use it during the day. Everything else has been covered by the guys before so read up on their review.

Preston Park is Brighton's largest and oldest planned city park. Funded by a bequest from a local…read morebookmaker, William Edmund Davies, the park opened on 8 November 1884. The park is located on the main A23 road from London to Brighton, a mile and half north of the city centre, and next to Preston Manor. The main park is over 60 acres in area and includes wide open spaces of parkland with trees, formal beds along the side of the A23 road, and at the south end is a formal rose garden. Next to this is the Rotunda Cafe, which is open Monday-Friday 9.15-16h and weekends 9.30-17h. Moving northwards are 4 bowling greens and 8 tennis courts, mutli-sports areas with basket ball courts, a 500m velodrome, a children's playground, 4 soccer pitches and 2 cricket pitches. In the centre of the park is the Chalet Cafe, open daily 10-17h. Despite the all organised sport provided for, many come here just to walk or for picnics, or for nothing in particular at all. Other items of interest include a clock tower and the Hansel and Gretel-like tiled house (sadly now with its windows protected with wire mesh). As well as general recreation, the park is the location for many events during the year. The largest is the event after the Brighton Pride parade, which finishes at the Park, regarded by many as the premier free Gay Pride event in the UK. It regularly attracts over 120,000. (It takes place on 2nd August in 2008). Other events are held during the year, including concerts and family days.

Very pretty park…read more I didn't see or step in any piles of dog shit. I believe I got talked into taking a BMF class here or I might have been laying around the lawns waiting for a friend to get done with a class. Either way, it's pretty and clean.

This is a excellent little stop of for Brighton families as it has so much to offer. Not only does…read moreit have sand sports courts where volleyball, beach rugby and bouldering are played, its also a sheltered haven on an often breezy pebble beach with a licensed cafe. An ideal place to spend a Sunday chilling out at the Barefoot Cafe with a vino, watching a tournament while the kids muck about in the sand. The only venue of its kind in the UK Yellowave Brighton has played host to many beach sports events such as the British Women' Volley Ball championship. The venue is also used for live music events ad parties so definitely worth checking out of you have visitors down.

I went to Yellowave for the first time this weekend to play a Volleyball Beach tournie with…read morefriends. I was really impressed with the venue. Being a volleyball player myself and an addict I must say, this is a great place to train and play beach. The sand is perfect, there are around 6 courts available, and the staff clearly know their stuff! There' also a lovely cafe/bar to chill out and have snacks, a climbing wall for fitness and an area for children to play with the sand outside of the courts. The venue is also available for some other sports like beach soccer, beach rugby, frisbee, etc... And for volleyball addicts like me you can hire a court to train for as little as £18/hour. So get your training gear on and try it out this summer!

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.

This is a small square, and one of Brighton's more intimate places of Regency architectural…read moreinterest, at the boundary of Brighton and Hove (just in the former). Developed from the 1820s onwards, it has some handsome bow-fronted terraced houses on the east and west sides although, like many of Brighton's squares, the crush of car parking diminishes the architecture somewhat. Nevertheless, they have nice wrought iron balconies, and on the west side is a good view down towards the sea and the impressive art deco bulk Embassy Court. The north side of the square is, rather less attractively, formed by the busy Western Road, with a bus stop, and two small pavilions having been recently built to frame the square, although their brick architecture doesn't really match the original. The gardens have been recently restored, although they have something of a reputation as a resting place for drunks on week-ends evenings. More positively, there is a small recycling facility located in the north east corner.

Norfolk Square is situated off Western Road in the centre or Brighton. During the summer months it…read moreprovides welcome and very pleasant respite from the busying atmosphere of town. Once a den of iniquity being the domain of both street drinkers and those addicted to drugs Norfolk Square has now been reclaim by the local tenants. The tenants with very little help from the local council have turned the square into a delightful garden. Now full of shrubs and flowers and used by many local families. An ideal place for a summer picnic if you can't face the hurly-burly of Brighton beach.

I've never played basketball here, and in fact I've never particularly liked Basketball, with all…read moreit's nigglyness and sweatyness, it just doesn't massively appeal to me. The basketball court which is located right on the seafront and between the two pier's, however makes me wish I'd grown up like Leo in the Basketball diaries, (minus the heroin addiction) playing basketball everyday and just hanging at the court. Come shine, usually this place is always in use with either one big game, or possibly two smaller games, being played with both hoops. Sometimes, especially in the summer it can get really busy, with people watching the current game, to wait their turn. Basically this place is a testament to how council money should be spent more often. It's in an amazing location, it's fun, it's free and it really does bring people from all over the world who love the game together. Now, I think they should build some 5 a-side footy pitches around their too.

Like the volleyball court, this is a good addition to the activities available on the seafront. The…read morehoops are rugged and the surface is more than adequate. Thankfully, this is also a good time to have a beach without sand. No chance of skidding around here from wayward grains. On a nice day, particularly in the summer expect this place to be very busy. It's a good/bad thing that the court is free and it kind of operates like leaving a coin on a pool table in a pub. Get your game then the next one comes in after. I'm not the biggest fan of basketball these days, but did used to play a fair bit back in my college years. having a good understanding of the rules, this means I can happily park up with a few cans of beer and watch some free live sport. You can get to see a decent game, with players having a high level of skill. Of course, it's a bit hit and miss of who will be playing at a given time, but certainly worth wandering down to if you want to get in a game or just watch some sport for free.

Nice beach walk nearby with a few restaurants that are pretty good. Although they aren't on Yelp,…read moreavoid Vurger at all costs. Most of the shops just sell overpriced jewelry so just go to the lanes to enjoy the cozy streets. That being said, the area has fallen on hard times as of late, something reflected in the state of some of the shops and the level of trash/graffiti found in the area which, along with the level of dirt and grime, has been on the rise in recent years.

Hove Lawns inspires one of those quite frequent moments where you turn to the nearest listener and…read moreproclaim "aren't we lucky?!" and then nod in mutual agreement. No fancy trimmings here, The Lawns stretch for just under a mile from the border of Brighton into Hove. What would normally be an inconspicuous flash of green in any other location, this great big strip divides the urban cityscape from the seafront, providing a great place to plonk yourself down and admire both. Anything goes here, so you can eat, sleep, play, run, do the hokey-cokey or impress passersby with an unfathomable yoga position. You're also just a quick jump from a number of seafront cafés and toilets. It's dog and child friendly, but the only thing separating this space from the main road is the pedestrian path and cycle lane. I recently made the mistake of confidently letting my pooch off his lead only for him to become excited by a chain of passing cyclists. The frantic jumping, screaming and flapping that ensued is not something I want to be remembered for locally. You can also catch some great events in the summer months, such as the annual Foodies Festival or land based fun to celebrate Paddle Round the Pier. A good alternative to the knobbly seating the pebble beach has to offer, just be mindful of errant dogs, children or other particularly excitable members of your party.