Archive for the ‘Brighton on a Budget’ Category

Well, just because the summer is coming to an end, doesn’t mean it’s an end to the festival season.

If you are coming to Brighton with your family, or just taking a leisurely stroll along the seafront, drop in to Brunswick Square, you’re sure to have a good time.

A festival for all the family

The Brunswick Festival now runs over two consecutive weekends, but this weekend is the one for the townsfolk.

Imagine a festival organised by residents, not event organisers; think homegrown talent and homegrown foods. It’s a local festival for local people, but everyone’s always welcome.

There’s usually a main stage for the live bands and oddball children’s entertainers, lots of food stalls and enough Reiki healers and Yoga practitioners to chill an army. Imagine it: A Yoga army! No more destruction, just very supple and well-grounded enemies – very nice end to the weekend thankyouverymuch.

You’ll find bric-a-brac stalls to rummage through, hear tunes you’ll dance to, and sample lots of home brewed beer – it was lovely the last two times we went, no doubt it will be great this weekend.

There is just one problem though: If you are visiting with your family and children, it will make you want to move to Brunswick Square, it’s lovely, and the festival is a showcase of the Brighton community at its best.

Bring a rug, bring a kaftan, bring whoever you find along the way, even bring your gran. It’s going down (peacefully) this weekend in Brunswick Square.

Fancy a free weekend in Brighton? Of course you do. All you need to do is to prepare a 300-word blog, send it in and the best entry wins. Simple!

The title is My Brighton and there are four 2-night breaks available, one for each category below:

Under 15’s

Individuals, Couples and Singles

Group

LGBT

Enjoy writing? Your blog could win a free weekend in Brighton!

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Enjoy the ride

The great thing about cycling is that everyone can get involved. Mums and dads, children and families, it really is the sport for all. Well, this week it’s Team Green Britain Bike Week, and as expected Brighton is leading the way.

Visitors to the town are likely to see a cycling event of some sort. Here’s what’s going on, and how you can get involved.

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Visitors to Brighton this weekend will probably already know that the city has changed British politics, forever. Yes, true to form Brighton has shown its progressive power and voted in the country’s first Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas.

Even if politics is not your thing, you can’t help but notice the efforts being made in the town to consider the environment.

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Well that’s kind of what people expect when reading about a holiday resort. And no doubt we get all three here, it’s just there is more to do in Brighton, things residents and visitors share: sun, sea and sport.

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If you love your nature photography or are looking to keep the kids out of the arcades, look here. Some of the world’s greatest wildlife pictures are on display, outside, a stone’s throw from the beach.

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Money is a concern for everyone at the moment. Here’s a guide of cheap eats, some good, some not so good, rated by me. If you think any hits are really misses, let me know. And if I put your hit as miss, add your comment!

There are some ways you shouldn’t try to conserve money. Paying a little bit more for a hotel which treats you well or an incredible meal is worth it. You can’t really relax on a hard bed.  Let’s face it though, we are all feeling the pinch a little bit. Here are some tips to make your Brighton trip fun and easy on the purse.

1. A picnic is romantic and cost effective. Head over to Waitrose and get some  gourmet cold platters. Until August 19th, they are offering a special deal which offers shoppers a free beach blanket after buying 4 picnic products. If you like Marks and Spencers, you can get 2 cold salads for 5 pounds. Try the soybeans with chili for a light, healthy side dish.
2. Don’t feel the need to plan your holiday to Brighton down to a T. Some of the most lovely moments are spend just wasting time with your loved one, going on rides, staring at the ocean or walking hand in hand.  Wasting time window shopping in the North Laines also recommended.

3. Check out the lunch specials. Many places in Brighton offer mid-week lunch offers and special deals around lunch time. Most of the popular restaurant chains have a branch in Brighton and often have special deals. Additionally, on Sundays La Tasca offers unlimited tapas for a tenner each. Wow!

4. A bus tour is wonderful but not necessary. Brighton is a small city and a fantastic walking city. You do not need to invest in a sightseeing bus tour to get a sense of the action. If you are looking to go further afield, buy a SuperSaver or Saver bus pass and travel around Brighton to the surrounding areas.  The lovely town of Lewes is small but worth a visit as is nearby Eastbourne. Note: Brighton is really the cosmopolitan heart of the South East so a journey out will be more for scenic value.

5. One of the best things about Brighton is that the clubs don’t usually charge a cover charge. You can avoid any extra costs by heading out earlier. I recommend catching some free entertainment at the Queens Arms in Kemptown where they do cabaret shows on the weekend.

6. Book your train fares in advance. Through a loophole in the system, it is possible to score tickets between London and Brighton for 3-5 per way. Check out Southern’s website for more details.

Your trip to Brighton need not be expensive at all. Come mid-week, book in advance, look for meal specials, go out clubbing earlier and have your hard earned dosh for important things like your hotel. After all, you’ve come to Brighton to lay back and enjoy the change of scenery. Scenery is priceless.