Archive for the ‘Hove’ Category

That’s the response I usually get when I tell people I live in this city! And the first time they visit, either staying in a hotel in Brighton or crashing over at my place, they are always poised to witness some ubercamp, boy-on-boy, girl-on-girl, tranny, bi-fest!

Living here, we just don’t see it like that. Brighton is very gay friendly. It supports the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender) community. But it’s as much about tolerance and equality than individual sexuality. And to live in a town with such an open mind is truly a privilege.

Yes, you will see public affection between people of the same sex, but you’ll see straight people holding hands and kissing too!

Everyone is welcome here. That’s the beauty of this place, and even on a short weekend break you can pick up the vibe. And forget the stereotypes; there are certain styles and fashions in every community.

Here’s a link to our sister blog aimed more at the LGBT community; regular people going regular things, but just a little better dressed!

The Ambassador’s LGBT blog

Brighton is known for many things: entertainment, fashion, music, digital culture and its love of the obscure. But if there’s a Brighton image that stays in the front of many people’s minds, it’s the one of mods and rockers battling it out on the beach.

The mid-sixties were a time when the generation born after the war was expressing itself.  And these two sub-cultures ended up as rivals, and clashed in running battles on Brighton seafront.

Perhaps the symbol of the mod culture was the Vespa motorbike. This, a parka with a target on the back, and a Ben Sherman were de rigueur for mods at the time – at least that’s how they are represented, there was, and is, much more to mod culture than Quadrophenia.

Now, if you love the scooters, this weekend is the one for you: it’s the Mad Weekender. There will be Lambrettas and Vespas from all around the world rolling up.

It’s been 46 years since the original modernists made their impression on Brighton and celebrations will be going on all weekend.

Volks is hosting the welcome party and Komedia is running two consecutive all-nighters.

And to finish off, there’s a scooter competition on Sunday followed by a ride out to Beachy Head.

So expect to see some proper dapper gents, and box-jacketed babes. Brighton: the mod generation is back in town!

For more on what it means to be mod now, look here and here

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.

It's time to party and paddle

With the sun shining and the sea warming up, it’s time to celebrate summer. So grab a board and paddle around the pier. What? Paddle around the pier? Yes, this weekend Brighton will play host to Paddle Round The Pier, Europe’s biggest free beach festival.

It’s all held on Hove lawns, and don’t worry if you don’t fancy getting in  the water, there are a multitude of other events you can get yourself and the family involved in.

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Out and about in town

So that’s it, Summers here! So, what’s on this week in Brighton?

Well, as usual you have too much to choose from. But that’s never a bad thing. Variety is the spice of life, so get stuck in, and get out and enjoy it.

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It’s not often you can just walk into a stranger’s house, have a good nosey round and help yourself to a picture or some jewellery.

Well, in Brighton you can because it’s the Artists’ Open Houses Festival. Visitors to the city can wander around and pop into nearly 250 venues and look at original art, even grab themselves a cuppa while they are at it.

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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, along with Brighton sunshine – and it’s here – comes the temptation to take a dip. Now, I know you’re thinking ”you must be mad to dip even your toes in the water”. But let’s not forget about Brighton’s swimming pools, which are great for dedicated ‘up and downers’, as well as for children and families.

Brighton Beach

The King Alfred Centre is about as 80’s retro as the town’s student community, but is still a great resource. Let’s face it, if the sun fails us, at least we can step back off the beach, put our cossies on, and get in for a bit.

More modern is the Price Regent. And it’s next to the Jubilee Library (are we obsessed about royalty, or what?). If you get bored easily by the lanes just dry off, grab a book, wander through the North Laines, and enjoy the great Easter weather.

Dedicated swimmers are donning their Speedos for a mammoth charity swimathon on April 18th, take a look for further info.

It’s that time of year again as you probably know unless you are an ostrich with your head in Christmas coloured sand. What you may not know is that instead of braving the High Street scouting for gifts like a chicken or (ostrich) without a head, there is another option.

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Brighton is like Madonna and Hove is like Christopher Ciccone. Brighton is the famous big sister leaving Hove in the dust. Many people don’t even make it to Hove, which is kind of unfortunate as Hove can be a blessing on a busy day.

For instance, the beaches are far quieter in Hove. You can take a cycle path all the way to Hove Lagoon, where kids can sail and Heather Mill’s cafe is and onward to the lovely quaint town of Shoreham by sea and further on to Worthing if you really fancy a trek.

First of all, I know for a fact, you can get the best minced pie you ever had at Canham and Sons on Western Road in Hove. I’m vegetarian but I’ve been told this place does pasties and pies to die for.

A lot of the nicer shops in Hove are on the high street but the George Street has some good offerings like home furnishing shop, Burts and some cafes.

The most famous restaurant in Hove is probably Topolino. Topolino Duo serves classic Italian dishes and is always busy. It is one of the few restaurants in the area that has no concept of the recession. Topolino is also affordable.

Most of the rowdy kids who come to get drunk in Brighton (and there is a signifigant number) do not venture into Hove. If you party in Hove, your evening will be more civilized.

H-Bar in Hove is a nice venue with a bottom floor lounge and an upstairs club. I also recommend Kobawhich is a cocktail lounge spread over a few floors that does special deas on shots and sells Pimms.

There is also a branch of The Tin Drum which is a really nice little pub to have a chat in and actually hear the person you are sitting with. This is a smaller branch of the pub than the Kemptown one, if you recognise the name.

Probably the best attraction in Hove, other than Hove Lagoon if you like watersports, is Hove Park which is a large rolling park that is actually the perfect place to stop on a nice day.

Another thing to do in Hove is catch a cricket game at the Sussex Cricket Club which holds international matches and is located in Central Hove. There is a very inexpensive pub next to the cricket pitch that offers a meal deal.

If you are staying Brighton for a few days, don’t neglect to visit Brighton’s little brother.