Southwick is now firmly part of the suburban sprawl running from Brighton and Shoreham, and is…read moreknown to most people for the power station that dominates the far side of Shoreham Harbour. But there was a community here in Saxon times, and its church is surprisingly ancient. In fact, the walk from the station crosses the Green, an attractive and villagey stretch of tree-lined common which splits Southwick into two halves. There are some handsome cottages surrounded by well appointed semi-detached suburban homes, and a rather less appealing row of post-war shops. St Michael and All Angels was, until the 18th century, dedicated to St Margaret, and sits among a very pretty churchyard, thickly studded with trees. Although there was probably a church here in Saxon times, it first recorded in 1086, and in 1206 the right to appoint the rector was granted to the Templars, and then to the Hospitallers, although much of the early mediaeval period was taken up with disputes over these rights with the monks of Sele Priory. The ownership passed from Sele Priory to Magdelene College at the Dissolution, and patronage thereafter passed to the Crown until the 20th century. Fire in the 19th Century damaged the nave and an unexploded bomb (and the subsequent excavation to remove it) damaged the tower in 1941. The church itself is built of flint, and is essentially in three parts: the tower, nave and chancel. The tower is by far the most impressive part: its foundations and lower walls are said to be Saxon, although it mostly dates from the late 12th and 13th centuries. It is an attractive composition, with paired round-headed arches with narrow openings surmounted by paired gothic lancets and, above that, a shingle broach spire. The west door is also attractive, but a modern addition: the tower was carefully taken down and faithfully rebuilt in 1950 after the bomb damage, with vestries built either side. The chancel is mostly 13th century, with two original lancets, framed by a 14th century chancel arch. There are two round headed arches to the south, although the central column probably dates from the Victorian rebuilding. A 14th wooden screen with narrow lancets also survives in the south aisle. The nave burned down in the 1830s and was rebuilt with narrow lean-to aisles in 1834, with round-headed arcades and lancet windows. Pevsner's Buildings of England described the nave as a 'loveless cover for pew-space', which I think is a bit harsh, although there's no doubt it doesn't match the quality of the tower. The furnishings other than the south aisle screen - are limited in interest to what appears to be a mediaeval aumbry, some 18th and 19th century tombs and memorials, and a sturdy, square font, probably from the 13th century. The church is today the centre of large and busy parish, and has a vibrant church life, with services daily through the week.

I love the bandstand. It's a real jewel on the seafront and looking good for 130 years old…read more Lovingly restored just a few years ago it's considered one of the finest examples of Victorian bandstand in the country. This attraction does nothing much but look pretty for most of the year, but it is a hive of activity during peak season. You can see all sort of bands and dancing in the summer and for six months of the year you're allowed to get married on it. It's a unique venue for weddings, including same-sex marriage as of today in England and Wales. Hooray! It's still next to the busy coast road though so keep your eyes fixed on the direction of the sea. Many couples opt to marry elsewhere and take a few choice photos at the landmark for free. It's also lit up at night and good for a reflective moment when the city is quieter. I sometimes pop down there after dark and find others have decided to do the same. But that's ok, I don't mind sharing.

The first time we visited Brighton (and then moved here) we lived just opposite the bandstand. At…read morenight there would be dance classes or live music and the light detail they have put into it is simply beautiful. Granted, unless something else has taken the initiative (such as salsa classes etc) there is not much happening, but it is a landmark, and it makes what is a beautifull town even better.

The clock tower is probably the central meeting point for a lot of people in Brighton. Meeting…read moresomeone for a coffee? Meet at the clock tower first! Everyone just seems to congregate there. Recently it has become something of a shrine to many members of Brighton's homeless community that have sadly lost their lives in recent months. At any given time there will be candles available to light, and pictures of those who lost their lives. I've been there a few times to chat to the people that hang around there. Some people might be put off but I think sometimes people just want a friendly face to say hello! Next time you're there, don't be afraid and take a closer look at what's going on.

The clock tower is a nice central landmark of the city and adds that little finishing touch to…read morethings you expect a city to have (cough cough, yeah we really 'do' have a cathedral ). It was nice to see the structure get restored to some of it's former glory in the early 2000's and also the random decision to leave a load of fairly lights permanently suspended form the clock tower to the surrounding buildings. When they are turned on during some nights you get the impression of a massive jellyfish in the sky. The mosaic work is good around the column walls of the structure and it's worth taking a brief pause from your journey to have a closer look.

Thought provoking sculpture that is yet another asset to the ever increasing show that Brighton…read moreputs on. The sculpture is an aluminium panel portraying photographs of six couples kissing. The photographs were transformed by computer into a dot screen drilled through a thick alumimium sheet. Brilliantly designed by Bruce Williams, it is meant to reflect the diversity of Brighton's residents. The Kiss Wall, unveiled in 1992 is a celebration that calls for equlaity, understanding and acceptance between all individuals. It is lovely to see by day, but I feel that it's more stunning at night. Fanatastic!

Clifton Terrace is regarded as one of the most desirable addresses in Brighton, if not the most…read moredesirable. Situated in the Clifton Hill area of Brighton, the Terrace was built in 1847 after the opening of the railway to London, funded by the Barings Bank family and the widow of Thomas Kemp, builder of Kemp Town. The houses are in a single terrace, in the villa style, all in whitewashed stucco. The distinctive ground floor bay windows have deep awnings, some glazed and others covered in lead. The central group of houses has a pair of blind windows with classical pediments, and no awnings. The overall effect is of genteel elegance; homely yet refined. The Terrace is listed at Grade II. The design incorporates Clifton Terrace Gardens opposite - still retained for the sole use of residents - which helps to preserve the stunning sea views from the houses. The gardens were originally the site of Clifton Windmill, removed in 1837. Many of the individual front gardens to the houses are also beautifully kept. This is where I'd love to live - if I could afford to. It's quiet and surprisingly green, yet minutes from the centre of Brighton and around 5 minutes from the sea front. Just perfect. Unfortunately, a house here will set you back about £1 million

A Beautifull place, situated in a tranquil often overlooked part of brighton. back in the 70's I…read moregot well paid to demolish a complete house in clifton hill over a weekend to create a bigger entrance into the yard of an antique dealer so he could get his lorries in, when eventually the house was rebuilt it was twice as big and afforded covered access to the the rear, a win win situation, but back then not to many people worried about preserving or conserving our heritage. luckily the magnificent terrace and its fine gardens remain as a unequalled example of gentile regency brighton.

The original Town Hall at Hove was built in 1882 to the designs of Alfred Waterhouse, best known…read morefor Manchester City Hall and the Natural History Museum in London. This splendid red brick gothic edifice, with its 110ft clock tower, was a well-known landmark until a fire in 1966 severely damaged much of the fabric. A picture of the old Town Hall can be seen at: http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__5858_path__0p115p188p941p.aspx After several years of debate as to whether to rebuild within the remaining fabric or build a completely new hall, a competition was held for a completely new replacement building, which was won by John Wells-Thorpe, of Gotch & Partners. The new building, completed in 1974, is very much of its time: the structure is covered in unpainted grey-brown rough-cast concrete panels, with large expanses of tinted glass. It's not quite brutalist in style, thanks to the detailing on the panels, and the extensive planting around it softens the harder edges. But it's still a love-it-or-hate-it sort of building architecturally. I think it's mellowed rather well with time, and its low profile and set-back facades don't try to compete with the surrounding, older buildings. The building houses an information point (branded 'Citydirect') for the City Council's services, open 8.45-16.30h Monday - Friday. It also has various function and meeting rooms, which through the year host many diverse events, such as the Sussex Beer & Cider Festival held annually in March.

Hove Town Hall is a festival of the early 1970s, a mirrored, faux-wooden parade of concrete and…read moreangular features that don't do much to soften the blow of your parking fine. It looks inside like a once-grand hotel gone to seed, with the smoked glass looking onto overly polished walnut accents on the concrete walls. These bits of concrete look like a cast of real wood, which is definitely, definitely better than unadorned concrete. Nevertheless, it's still, ahem, bare concrete. Even the lighting looks like it's been around since back in the day, with yellow gels casting a weird golden glow over everything. It's as if you've taken the wrapper off a caramel Quality Street and held it in front of your eyes. It's worth going here just for the pure authenticity of it - they really don't seem to have updated anything since it was built, so it's a living historical monument to the age of bizarre buildings. A word of counsel - if you do have to go here, for whatever reason, and I hope it isn't as unpleasant as many of the reasons you might pitch up here (parking, housing regulations...), but if you do - don't leave out a visit to the loo. That be-mirrored fairground attraction will stay with me for some time to come.

These sculptures were paid for and erected in 2004 by property developer Karis, when they developed…read morethe adjacent site. (Public art is something this developer is known for). Being in conservative (small 'c') Hove, there was some argument about them when they were erected, as to their siting, meaning, quality etc. The two sculptures are by the London-based sculptor Ekkhard Altenburger, whose art adorns public places across Europe. Made of granite, this rather different pair of sculptures forms a sort of 'gateway' to Connaught Road, although the gateway is symbolic as the road is actually closed to road vehicles. Both sculptures take their inspiration from the nearby cliff scenery and the erosive power of the sea: the easterly sculpture is simply called 'sediment' and is a sort of cross section of sedimentary rock. The westerly sculpture is rather taller, and at the top depicts a building cut open. It is called 'cut', and represents buildings on the edge of sea cliffs, destroyed when the cliffs beneath are eroded - a real problem on parts of the east coast of England. Whether you like them as art is down to your personal taste, but they certainly add interest, and I approve of the concept of art in the public realm.

In all cities there is a hidden side that no tourist will stumble across. Frederick Gardens is a…read moresmall alley by the post office. Its so tucked away that most Brightonians might not know it was there. Walking down this pathway one walks into England of the past. Well, an imagined past anyway. The cottages are cute and bordering on fairytale sweetness. The gardens are well kept and every inch is used to the maximum. Some have names but all have their owners personalities stamped on them. This place is an oasis and takes ones mind of the fact that a bustling road is just at the end of the path. There is a very fashionable pub called the Pond at the other end. Its amazing how this small area feel so relaxed and cuddly! Its well worth a look. Though I bet the residents would prefer privacy.

From time to time everyone needs somewhere to go and think about things. A place a little out of…read morethe ordinary perhaps, where you can put life into perspective without your thought being rose tinted or lagged with doubt. For me personally this is the very end of the sea defences that run from the Portslade end of Aldrington Basin. You can even drive the better part of the way there and there is a cafe just by the car park. To get there you just take the little slip road down to the docks by Hove Lagoon and at the mini roundabout take a left. Then follow the road ahead, passing all the large grey emotionless commercial docking facilities with piles of timber and aggregates from other shores to your right. The walk from the Cafe is where the thinking time starts though. No matter what time of year or how many people you might meet down there the place seems to have an emotionless, cold and deserted feel. Sound seems to travel a shorter way, as though it were muted by the gentle hiss of the sea against the remote unforgiving concrete structure. A deafening silence. From the car park it's clear where you need to head - you pass a pebble beach, much lower than the path, to your right and come to the length of concrete harbour wall on your left. Then just walk to the end and sit for a while. No noise, no shops, no traffic and (save the odd angler) no people. Just try it.