selected branch: Brighton and Worthing
Brighton and Worthing have something for everyone. Whether you want to live in the vibrant Brighton or quieter Worthing, just 10 miles west of Brighton, there’s something for everyone in these twin towns.
Brighton was for many years a tiny fishing village. It wasn’t until 1754 when Brighton was put on the map in a big way. Richard Russell, the author of a treatise on the health benefits of seawater, settled in Brighton to put his theories to the test. From that point onwards, Brighton became known as a health resort. The Prince of Wales (later to become the Prince Regent and then King George IV) made the first of many visits to Brighton in 1883. He became a regular visitor and built many buildings in the Restyle that are still popular to this day.
The London and Brighton Railway was built in 1841, bringing with it day-trippers from London. Within 100 years, from 1801 to 1901, the population of the town grew from 7000 to 120,000.
In 1997, Brighton and its neighbouring town of Hove were joined together to form the unitary authority of Brighton and Hove, and in 2000, it was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II.
If there’s one thing that Brighton’s known for, it’s culture.
Often called the “gay capital of the UK”, the LGBT community in Brighton is one of the biggest in the UK, as is Brighton Pride, which attracts roughly 500,000 people to the city over Pride weekend, bringing 2% of the city’s annual visitors in just one day.
As well as the annual Pride event, the city is host to the Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe every May, which is the second-largest arts festival in the UK, after Edinburgh. Featuring theatre, music, visual arts, improv and comedy across the city, Brighton comes alive during the festival – you certainly won’t be short of things to do whilst it’s running!
Between Brighton and Worthing, there’s a host of theatres and live music venues, and both towns have a long history of film, featuring in several popular films. The Duke of York’s Picture House in Brighton was built in 1910, making it the oldest purpose-built cinema in continuous use in the country.
Brighton is renowned for its independent eating and drinking establishments, with more eateries per head than anywhere in the country other than London. There’s something for everyone, from casual street eats to fine dining and, of course, Brighton and Worthing are both by the sea, so it does a great trade in fish and chips.
Brighton is the most vegan-friendly city in the UK, with 9.14 restaurants per 15,000 inhabitants, so there really is something for everyone in Brighton. Check out What the Pitta for casual dining, or The Roundhill for a gastropub experience.
MasterChef fans should check out Pitch in Worthing, which offers a contemporary mix of modern and classic British food from the winner of the 2018 series.
Brighton is famous for its independent shops, particularly in the Lanes and North Lane which are home to some of the coolest independent shops in the country. These cobbled streets are packed full of vintage clothing stores, second-hand bookshops, and bric-a-brac shops. Don’t miss Snoopers Paradise in the North Laine, a sprawling empire that you could get lost exploring in. It’s stacked to the brim with antiques and even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a great way to pass a few hours.
Hove also has a great selection of independent boutiques, and Worthing has over 400 shops in the town centre – many of which are high-street names, but Brighton is only 10 miles away if you want your fix of boutiques.
Brighton and Worthing both have a good selection of highly-rated schools, making these towns a draw for families.
According to the School Guide, the best schools in Brighton are:
There are also many highly-rated state schools, including Dorothy Stringer High School. The St Paul’s Catholic College in Worthing was the best-rated school in all of Sussex according to the 2020 Real School Guide, which looks at 51 different ranking factors – not just GCSE performance but also things like teacher-pupil ratio and absence rates.
Just 47 miles from London, Brighton is home to many commuters who enjoy the best of both worlds – easy access to the capital and the wealth of job opportunities there, as well as life by the sea and the quirky shops, restaurants and attractions of Brighton. The fastest train service to London takes 51 minutes, and most trains also serve Gatwick Airport, making it quick and easy to get to a variety of international destinations.
If you need advice for first-time buying in Brighton or Worthing – or if you’re looking for a reliable mortgage broker in Sussex – don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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