Brighton in Sussex

Brighton, town, southeastern England, located on the English Channel and geographically part of the county of East Sussex. On April 1, 1997, the borough council that had administered Brighton, in conjunction with East Sussex county council, was merged with adjoining Hove borough council to form Brighton and Hove unitary authority. The new administrative body is responsible for providing all local government services, including those previously provided by the county council. Although separate administratively, Brighton and Hove remains geographically part of East Sussex.

A large seaside resort, Brighton is an attractive, historic town known for its many parks and handsome Regency-style squares and crescents. Its industries are diverse and include the manufacture of electrical equipment and metal products, and financial services. In the 1990s information-based activities, notably those associated with the multimedia industry, have become increasingly important. Its many attractions include the exotic, Oriental-style Royal Pavilion, which was originally a farmhouse acquired by the Prince of Wales (later George IV) in 1786 and extensively remodelled. Today’s building is largely the work of the architect John Nash from 1815 to 1822. Purchased by Brighton in 1850, the Royal Pavilion and the Dome (its former stables) now house a museum, picture galleries, and assembly halls. Brighton also has a pier, several theatres and museums, an aquarium, a racecourse at Kemp Town, and a large marina. The Lanes, a warren of narrow alleys, have a variety of antique shops.

The town was the setting for the novel that gave Graham Greene his first major success, Brighton Rock. Brighton is the seat of the University of Sussex (founded 1961) and the University of Brighton (Brighton Polytechnic until 1992). The town of Brighton was formerly the village of Brighthelmstone, dating from at least as far back as the Norman Conquest. It was from this village that Charles II sailed to France after his escape from the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Brighton remained a small fishing village until the construction of the Pavilion in the late 18th century, after which it quickly grew into a fashionable resort. The railway reached Brighton in 1841 and the town began to grow even more rapidly thereafter. During World War II German air raids caused extensive damage. Population (1994 estimate) 154,900.

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Content by Ulf Dantanus - Designed by Noah Hearle - 5/19/01