Brighton beach

Affectionately known as "London by the Sea" because of its convenient location for Londoners, Brighton seafront offers a fantastic shingle beach with a great selection of shops, restaurants, amusement arcades and cafes, principally between the piers. Being less than an hour from London by train has made the city a hugely popular destination. Brighton beach has a nudist area (south of the easterly part of Kemptown). Brighton's beach, which is a sand-free shingle beach, although it is sand when going into the sea, has been awarded a blue flag. The Monarch's Way long-distance footpath heads west along the seafront above the beach.

Since the 1978 demolition of the open-air lido at Black Rock, the most easterly part of Brighton's seafront, the area has been developed and now features one of Europe's largest marinas. However, the site of the pool itself remains empty except for a skate park and graffiti wall, and further development is planned including a high-rise hotel which has aroused debate, mirroring proposals for the King Alfred leisure centre in Hove. In addition, part of the eastern side of the beach has been redeveloped into a sports complex, which has courts for anything from beach volleyball to ultimate Frisbee, and opened to the public in March 2007.

One of the most popular attractions along Brighton beach is Brighton Pier. Formerly known as the Palace Pier, it's home to restaurants and cafes, gift shops, a fun fair, traditional arcades and free attractions like the new ice rink.