Born Bad is a unique club night, taking place once a month at Komedia in Brighton…read more The music is an eclectic (in my opinion, bordering on the slightly too eclectic sometimes) mix of Rock n' Roll, Rockabilly, Punk, Swing, Girl groups and 60s garage. I seem to remember (i'm hazy on the finer details) the night I went to in September, jiving at one moment to Elvis, then the next to the Clash. However, when I think about it, even though the music can be a little all over the place, it's all about just dancing and having a good old time, which I definitely did. Dressing up in your finest 50s clobber is encouraged, and I think that's what everyone else was doing, though with that style being pretty hip anyway, I'm not sure? I lamely attempted to look 50s by tightening my black jeans over a black T-shirt, though probably looked a bit like an old man. Anyway, people seem to make a good effort for this night and it's always packed, so be sure to get a ticket in advance, because on the door tickets sell out quickly. Have a dance and get sweaty, listening to some old classics.

Born bad is the alternative night out, that because of it's monthly status, is always filled with…read morethe exact same people. Regardless of this, If you like the music on offer here, you'll love Born Bad. Komedia isn't a great venue, you'd think it would be from the outside and because of it's lanes location. Actually though, the inside is a bit like a school hall. Drinks are priced prett

How does something that's surrounded by the sea end up catching fire?…read more Beats me too. Regardless of the 'accident' or 'sabotage' that happened in 2003, the West Pier is still a sight to behold. I heard it described as The Wreck of Loneliness on Sugar Rush and I have called it that ever since. In Autumn and Winter, waves crash fiercely around the skeleton, Grade II listed structure and starlings soar around it. In summer and spring, when the tide is out, its possible to paddle around it and see more of the magnificent structure. In short, a Brighton gem.

Constructed in 1866 and closed in 1975, this wood pier was effectively destroyed in 2003, but…read moreremains standing today as a breathtaking wood skeleton. You can see the beauty that once was when the sun is setting over the water and the birds are flocking in the thousands. Perhaps most amazing is the single untouched hut-- perhaps a ticket booth-- surrounded by charred wood. Today there is an ongoing debate whether to rebuild the pier or not. For what it's worth, I think it should be left as is. Brighton has another pier that is in "proper working order". Forces of nature started the collapse of the West Pier, and while man may have accelerated the process at various points, let nature take its course.

This event takes place on the first Saturday of the Brighton Festival each year, and has opened the…read morefestival since 1989! If you're in town you can't help but notice it, even if it's just due to the chaos of road closures and the distant noise of marching bands; the parade runs from the North Laine area, through town and down West Street, making its way down the sea front to the finale at Marine Parade - with over 4000 participants from over 75 schools, not to mention the tens of thousands of spectators (think of all the doting families for each child!), the event is chaotic but pretty spectacular. I had the pleasure of being right in amongst it this Summer when I was in charge of marshalling right through the event. The event was really well organised with the kids' safety a top priority. I dealt with many a shirty driver and stressy parent in the run up, but the parade itself was great - being the product of local schools of course the quality varied considerably, as did the morale of the kids (the ones without crazy dancing teachers and bands lookes a bit miserable sometimes!), but overall it was a visual extravaganza! The best thing I saw this year was dozens of infant school kids dressed as wasps (the theme was the harvest) - they were adorable! Although more an event for the kids and their families, it's well worth catching if you're in town (and you can't miss it if you're shopping in the North Laine that morning). The finale at Marine Parade is worth checking out too as there's music and street entertainers.

It's because of events like the Children's Parade that I love Brighton. Please don't become alarmed…read moreby that sentence, I refer to the quirkiness and underlying community spirit that you don't always see in cities. The majority off the times that i have witnessed the parade has been whilst in the North Laine on the front line as a chef. Thankfully, the *insert* hits the fan afterwards, so we always got to see the amazing costumes that the kids had made. I always take this event as my official start to the Brighton festival and this year I don't have to cook. I had just known it to run through the North Laine and I think that Tasha is on the money to suggest getting down to the seafront. To witness the culmination of the procession and all the mix match of costumes coming together for the finale would really put the event in context. If you don't have kids then it would be easy to dismiss the event, but it really is worth the effort of getting into town for the morning. If you do have kinds in Brighton then it is likely that you are going to be there anyhow, but if not get them involved because this is part of the festival that they will love the most.

Ok this guy is a bit of a local legend. You can talk to anyone who has spent much time down on Hove…read morelawns over a summer and I can almost guaranty they will have seen him but no one seems to know who he is or where in god's name he comes from. He spends literally hours on the wide asphalt bits between the lawns on the promenade wearing only hot pants and dancing round on roller boots, Quads to be specific, to the sound of his monstrously distorted home made boom box. I suppose in many ways this ruins the whole pleasant atmosphere of Hove Lawns but we should never forget it's all these little eccentrics that give a place like Brighton its' colour. Learn to love the freaks and the whole world can be a beautiful place. But if anyone can fill me in with any more details I would seriously appreciate it.

So people may think I'm crazy but I booked a trip to Paris and Finland this June and made sure to…read morefly into London so I could visit pooh corner. I am a Huge EEYORE fan and last time I came to London I didn't have a chance to go and I promised myself I would come to the birthplace of my favorite character. I didn't realize how far out from the city it was but boy was it beautiful! The ride there and it's surroundings. The staff at pooh corner cafe was very sweet and helpful. My train from london to paris was a few short hours away.... So yes.....I literally flew into london for a few hours just to go to pooh corner and pooh bridge! The love for Eeyore and my best friends love for Pooh made this trip easy and fun! Best way to find it is if you visit pooh corner cage they will give you a map and tell you exactly how to get there. Once you see the sign you keep walking for a few minutes and you will find the iconic bridge. It's is BEAUTIFUL....so peaceful I could stay and relax there for a bit. Yes you are in the "100 acre woods" which is technically Ashdown forrest. It's the bridge that you see in the winnie the pooh cartoons ...the bridge that is said to be the one A.A. milne and his son a.k.a. Christopher Robin would play at. For a die hard fan this is a must do!! Happy yelping mis amigos!!

This is the ultimate gem for any Winnie the Pooh fan. - to come to Ashdown Forest and play…read morePoohsticks on Poohsticks Bridge Built in 1907 and originally called Posingford Bridge, it is considered to be the bridge on which Milne and his son first played the game. Its continued popularity led to a campaign to rebuild in the 1970s. The bridge was subsequently reopened by Christopher Robin Milne and officially renamed as Poohsticks Bridge However, continued tourist traffic necessitated a further rebuild in 1999 and Disney, who now own the rights to Winnie the Pooh and other donors funded the reconstruction to the bridge which stands there today. The walk from the nearest car park is however not the easiest with a fair slope and distance. However, for true fans, it is worth it. Visitors aiming to play Poohsticks on the bridge are requested to bring their own sticks to avoid damage to nearby trees There are now even a World Poohsticks Championships held annually in Dorchester but for true fans, Poohsticks Bridge is the only place to drop your stick into the water and rush over to the other side to see whose stick emerges first For those of you who would like to practise, here are the official rules for Poohsticks: http://www.poohsoc.org.uk/sticks/rules.html

Well I'm going to start by saying that giving 4 stars to the break either side of the West Pier…read moremeans that I'm trying to say that these waves rival are some of the best, because I'm not. The rating here has to be seen, within it's context and category; as a 'Local Flavour'. The 'flavour' that surfing around the skeletal and melancholic beauty of the West Pier gives this place four stars to surf in. However even if you don't surf, it's just really nice to come on an icy cold, clear day, watch the Surfers un-self consciously enjoy themselves so much in what they are doing. The consistency of the waves is undoubtedly not worth 4 stars, but if you've got a fish or a long board, and there has been some buffeting South Westerlies or Easterlies, you can have a really fun session in one of England's iconic vistas.

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.