Take the Trip of a LifeTime with Vitora from…
London to Brighton
There’s nothing like a bit of fresh sea air to blow away the cobwebs and get you feeling energised, whatever the season. And… throw in a walk along a magnificent pier, a totally decadent (or surprisingly healthy) ice cream, the best of traditional seaside fish ‘n’ chips or hearty pub fare, a grand and imposing building-or-two, a spectacular aerial view from the comfort of a glass pod at a dizzy height — even a bit of shopping if that’s your thing.
Sound good? Then buckle up, because for this month’s Trip of a LifeTime we’re getting those Vitora tyres rolling to the sunny (hopefully!) beachside town of Brighton in East Sussex which has all this and more. Plus, it’s an easy drive from London (just over 50 miles) – so really quite do-able for a day trip or weekender.
Here are a few directions
If you haven’t been this way before, or need a bit of help getting your bearings, the drive to Brighton on the south coast will take you about an hour-and-a-half from London (depending on the traffic and weather of course), via the M23 and A23.
Some of the Brighton sights you just have to see
Just in case you didn’t know, Brighton is renowned for its pebbled beach and waterfront, vast choice of restaurants and cafes, shows and sightseeing. However, equally you can just sit, relax, unwind and enjoy the view. We’ve picked a few of the highlights you’ll find here that really are worth a bit of an explore.
British Airways i360: One of Brighton’s novel attractions, you can travel the i360 tower in a glass pod to a height of 138m. Once you’re there, enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the ocean, picture perfect South Downs countryside and everything else below! With a bar, restaurant and tea room all part of the experience, this is a destination in itself.
Royal Pavilion: History, Art, and Splendour meet at the Royal Pavilion – a Brighton landmark and icon in exotic style that was built for King George 1V.
Sea Life: This is one for the whole family. Having the distinguished title of the world’s oldest aquarium, Sea Life brings all things under the ocean to life, with thousands of sea creatures, exhibits and feeding and conservation experiences.
Lanes: Brighton is famous for its character-filled, winding narrow laneways that are home to a wide variety of antique, jewellery and boutique shops, cafes and eateries. Excellent for an afternoon of wandering, browsing for something quaint or special, window-shopping or enjoying a meal or barista coffee.
Brighton Palace Pier: The Grade 11-listed pier is another of Brighton’s icons that is the perfect place to take a walk any time of day and breathe in the fresh sea air. It’s also a major attraction for fairground rides and activities and bars and eateries.
Outdoor spaces: Brighton has a number of beautiful parks and gardens to explore, including the Royal Pavilion Gardens, Preston Park (perfect for a picnic if weather permits!) and Queens Park (which has a small lake and children’s playground). Brighton and neighbouring Hove, are together home to more than 17,000 elm trees (the largest remaining population of elms in the UK) which are a real distinguishing feature of the area.
Afternoon tea with a view of the Beach: For some, there’s no better excuse to take a drive than for a special afternoon tea – and a view of the beach from of many Brighton’s charming tea rooms, cafes and beachfront hotels, is sure to give this the picture-perfect edge!
“That” ice cream: Once you’ve tried it, you may find yourself returning to Brighton primarily for the ice cream experience! Being beachside, it stands to reason that when it comes to ice cream, Brighton has it all from traditional cones and sundaes to dairy free and vegan options. It won’t take you long to seek out the best places!
Make a weekend of it: Once you’re there, if the relaxed seaside combined with vibrant Brighton vibe makes you want to stay longer, accommodation choices abound. If you are thinking about making a weekend of it ahead of your drive, do make sure you book ahead as Brighton is a bustling place and you won’t want to miss out.
Anything else I need to know?
Parking in the centre of Brighton can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. If you want to avoid the stress of finding a park, you may like to consider parking for free out of the centre (such as the Withdean Sports Complex), and taking a bus in. If you have an electric car, there are numerous places to park and recharge.
As for the rest of the ride – it’s now over to you! Just remember to check those Vitora’s while they’re cool, before you take to the road and make sure you have your favourite music downloaded and ready to go. Happy Travelling!
