I can pretty much guarantee it’s not going to last – this is England. Saying that, if you’re coming here from abroad after a cheap bed and breakfast in Brighton, you’d probably be disappointed if it didn’t rain heavily for at least some of your stay.

Pimms o'clock was early this year

However, it is glorious and the town has again been transformed into seafront playground, complete with the first successful BBQs of the year – in March! And even a few very brave skinny-dipping attempts – in March!

As surreal as it might be, we were sat on the beach having our first BBQ of the year, drinking Pimms – as you do – and heard the ‘Beach Boys’ drifting along the shimmering airwaves.

The group next to us were so inspired they got their kit off and got in for a dip. Well, the girl did. The two guys bottled it!

So where is all this unseasonably good weather coming from? Apparently it’s the Mediterranean and North African wind – had that on holiday once, very nasty.

And while we can’t guarantee every spring weekend in Brighton will be as warm, we can promise the beach is great in all weathers, the pier is open all year, and there’s fun to be had in this town, sun up or sun down.

If you are feeling like a dip, first take a read of our beach safety guide. Maybe get your head examined, then take a read of our…

Or check out what’s on in Brighton this month

So true, so bring your bike to Brighton!

And in true Brighton style, it’s not just about the bike: There will be DIY bike maintenence, a 12V bicycle sound-system building workshop, cheap vegan meals laid on and a celebration of bike films.

If you’re beginning to think cycling is all too commercial, you’ll be pleased with a sewing workshop set up to help people make their own high-viz vests and there’s the critical mass rides too – although we’re not sure that riding all over the road to prove a point helps drivers understand – if anything it makes things worse.

Footy fans should forget the train for a day and join in on the Bike Train up to Falmer stadium, perhaps decorate their bikes in blue and white – made a lot easier if they attend the ‘beautify your bike workshop’ running the night before.

And if it’s action you want, there’s also the ‘bike jousting’ on The Level, and a cycle treasure hunt also on the Saturday afternoon. A bike polo taster session as well as a session from mega-mechanic Dr Bike on the Sunday, more bike jousting and ‘Awkward Races’ help close the event, before some solar powered cinema by ‘One Way Theatre’.

So, if you fancy bringing a bike or two we can help you with a cheap Brighon B&B. Or, if you want to hire some over the weekend of the 21-22 April here’s a few links for you to try.

And if you are coming down the week before and end up cycling through Hove, watch out for a Naked Bike Ride Skinny Dip – and some very small cranks.

Bike Hire in Brighton

Cycle Training in Brighton

Cycling for Women in Brighton & Hove

Not 'The' Queen, but she's on a horse with the flag so..

Pick any of the spring or summer weekends in Brighton and you’ll guarantee there’ll be queens visiting – it’s just that kind of place! Diamonds are optional, but when it’s the Queen were talking about, you can guarantee she’ll tip up with a rock or two.

Ok, cryptic blog over. It’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration this year and Brighton’s doing its bit to wish her well – we did get an extra bank holiday out of it, so it would be rude not to.

The Woodland Trust has said it will get 6 million trees planted in time for the celebrations, and a number of Diamond Woods. Well, 100 of these trees have already found their way into Tarner Park, off Sussex Street in Brighton.

The main celebrations will be lead from London, but if you are visiting Brighton looking for special hotel offers for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee you can expect an outpouring of street parties and bunting-fringed British fun.

St Barts in Brighton is having a festival concert on the night of May 26th – bit early, as the main party doesn’t get going till the following weekend.

On Sunday May 3rd there’s an initiative lead by The Eden Project called The Big Lunch, which encourages people to have lunch with their neighbours – sounds like the perfect incentive to help kick off a street party.

And just launched is a year-long exhibition at the Royal Pavilion. Charlotte: The Forgotten Princess documents the short life of Princess Charlotte, George IV’s only daughter, through her clothing and letters.

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is holding a special display ‘Fashion & The Flag’ throughout May. And as the Queen’s celebrations are in the same month as the Brighton Festival and The Brighton Fringe, weekends in Brighton promise to be more colourful and intriguing than ever.

Visit London: Stay Brighton – that’s what we are saying

Picture from: Brighton Museum and Art Gallery’s ‘Fashion & The Flag’

Get this far and you're in Hove

That is until you get further into Hove, where you’ll notice fewer large stores and shops, and more residential buildings. Top Tip: Walk along the seafront until you get to an Italian café/ ice-cream shop called Morrocco’s. You’re in Hove.

Hove actually makes for an excellent visit, with all sorts of cultural events going on. This month is a great example. Here’s the main events going in Hove this month.

Sussex Beer and Cider Festival (8-10 March)

A regular on the calendar, this will be the 22nd Sussex Beer and Cider Festival. Look of for some top independent brewers, and you’ll need to be quick with tickets as this is one festival that you can guarantee will sell out! As well as beers and ciders, there are perries and country wines to be sampled. And there’s one bar set aside just for local ales. There’s also live entertainment planned and hot food!

And walk back to Brighton

My Favourite Toy (From 10 March)

My Favourite Toy (not an adult show) opens at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery on 10 March. You’ll be able to look at our fascination with toys and enjoy work created by children and young people in Brighton & Hove. Great one for the family enjoying a long weekend in Brighton – especially after you blagged your way free to get into the beer festival…

And the following weekend it’s the vege festival.

Vegfest UK ( 17-18 March)

If you think you need meat to make a meal tasty, thing again. Get your primitive urges in check and check out the piles of food products all laid out around Hove Town Hall. As always there will be bits and bobs to try, and special offers to tempt the eye and wallet.

Then finish your weekend visiting Brighton with a long walk back to town along the seafront. It’s not far, and let’s face it tofu doesn’t weigh anything anyway!

For more family friendly events in Brighton look up this great resource ChildfriendlyBrighton

In Brighton we play all year round Photo: Flickr/garynight

Here’s a look ahead to what the county has on offer:

Brighton and Hove is hosting the annual Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile Event. So get the family involved, get a cheap weekend in Brighton booked and do your bit by the seaside. The run takes place on Sunday 24th March on Madeira Drive and you can register at sportrelief.com

In April there’ll be thousands of people putting in the miles in the Brighton Marathon. Places are still available – if you’ve a last minute fancy for 26 and a bit miles…

Cyclists not prepared to wait till the London to Brighton can get their wheels spinning through the night on the BHF Night Ride. It’s an over-nighter, so you can either book a Brighton B&B and make a weekend of it or go back on the train after a full English to finish. You could always cycle back – you may laugh, someone will do it!

Third week in June is the main London to Brighton bike ride. Expect there to be 27,000 other riders taking part. If you’ve not done it before, you really should.

And to get the summer of sport going there’s the annual Take Part Festival in Preston Park where you can try out all sorts of new sports.

That’s the main sports weekends in Sussex, but there are hundreds more activities you could do on a weekend in Brighton: Zorbing on the South Downs, sailing classes off the beach and at the Marina, and some wakeboarding and kitesurfing at Hove Lagoon.

And you’ll still get to go shopping in Brighton – I don’t care how fit you say you are, or how tight your cycling pants are. Once it’s all over you’re still wanting to get away from work, get a weekend break and get to the beach. And if you can’t fit in any sport, so what. Come down anyway. Brighton is just waking up from its winter hybernation and it’s definitly the place to be when the sun’s shining

And we’ve got two sets of beach volleyball courts. People were playing on them over the weekend – in February!

So we’ll see you soon!

Let your 'Greeter' take you there Photo: Flickr/OliverN5

Well, we’ve been looking into it. And sadly there’s no boozing or man-serenades – bit early in the day.

But, you can ‘Book your Greet’ and get matched up with a Brighton resident who will guide you towards the best things to see in Brighton.

Each session last up to six hours and you can get as many as five friends to come along with you. So for people visiting Brighton it’s perfect. Hop of the train and get a guided tour. How good is that!

Not just for Brighton virgins; if you’ve visited before you can still get in on the initiative – run by Visit Brighton.

You book online, giving details of the hotel in Brighton or the Brighton B&B you’re staying in, and the preferred date and time of your Greet.

Although not guaranteed – visits are ’subject to Greeter availability’ – if you book in advance and schedule it for the first part of your trip to Brighton, there’s a good chance you’ll get one.

And if you don’t, not to worry: there are lots of day trips near Brighton to see and do in Brighton – and there’s always somewhere you can grab a pint – drag act might have to wait till later, mind.

And if you’re Scottish, this whole blog post could mean something completely different. But don’t greet about it…

Book your Greeter

Simon Buckden - runner for Help for Heroes

If you find just watching the run tiring enough, spare a thought for Simon Buckden. He’s running 100 marathons in 100 weeks for Help for Heroes. That’s a marathon every week for 2 years!

Simon will be running the Brighton Marathon on April 15th. And we were so impressed with his effort we’ve sorted out a room for him. If you want to find out how the hell he’s still going and the story behind his epic charity effort, catch up with him on Facebook.

Despite only in its third year the Brighton Marathon is now a well established part of the city’s sporting calendar. And thanks to a route that passes through town and along the seafront, it should be easy to spot Simon and any other people brave* enough to give it a go.

This year it’s on Sunday April the 15th. Such is the events growing popularity it’s now in the top 12 running events in the UK. Also, the number of runners is up 20 per cent on last year to 18,000.

All the places were snapped up ages ago, although keen bean runners may still be able to get a charity place.

The route runs from Preston Park to the edge of the South Downs, Ovingdean, Rottingdean, Hove and Shoreham before ending on Madeira Drive – more than far enough.

Want to find out more about this and other deals we have on rooms in our Brighton B&B? Just connect with us on Facebook, give us a like, or follow us on Twitter.

And runners: you’re nuts! But as Brighton is several cucumbers short of its picnic, you’re actually no crazier than the people living here! And they’ll be out in force to cheer you on!

*Brave: see mad, crazy, delusional, dressed in skimpy shorts.

Seven Sisters from Cuckmere Photo : Flickr/marcberryreid

But with the weather set to warm up soon (ish), it’s time you checked out the walks in Sussex and walks near Brighton, and got yourselves out into the countryside proper.

So wrap up warm, carry some warm clothes and some food, and pack a flask. Tell the kids it’ll be good for them, and before you know it you’ll be having a great family day out.

To help you get underway and leave behind the Brighton hotels, clubs, bars and shops, here are five routes to suit.

The Chattri

Not far from Patcham and on the ‘Chattri and windmills route’ is the Chattri, a monument built to honour Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. From here there are stunning views across the downs and options to walk further into the South Downs National Park.

Cuckmere and The Seven Sisters

Take a bus out of town from Brighton Station, and start your walk from Exceat and take a circular route to visit the Seven Sisters. You could finish at the pub at Birling Gap and get a bus back from there.

Take the Five Rings Challenge

Excited by the Olympics? Then use the five rings challenge to inspire your spring walks near Brighton. The council has put together five events (one per month from January) including a seafront walk and a nature trail, where you’ll get to throw ’seed bombs’ into the Sussex countryside.

Even if you don’t make the dates, all the routes and information are there to help you and your family get active and enjoy the Sussex countryside.

The Sussex Twitterns

Not a Brighton social media group. A twittern is a narrow short cut found between streets. By following these you can walk across much of Patchham, Withdean and Hollingbury before heading back to your Brighton B&B for some well-deserved rest.

Brighton to Lewes

Why take the train to Lewes when it’s within walking distance? You can go via Kingston or keep to the main road if you’re less adventurous – either way it’s always worth the effort, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Lewes when it comes to tea and cakes.

Love Box

Kamasutra Card Game

Ostrich Feather Tickler

Warming Massage Oil

Tingling Body Lotions

Tingling Body Balm

Lover’s Lotto

Rose Petals

Satin Eye Mask

Some Saucy Things to use and ware

Perfect for Valentines and Valentines all Year. Find She Said in The Lanes – 11, Ship Street, Brighton. You can also order your Love Box to be waiting in your B&B room when booking online at The Ambassador.

But if you are staying more than one day, or using the city as a base for UK tours, you should look at your Brighton Bed and Breakfast as a base from which to explore.

And it’s often the budget bus trips that provide the best service, taking you to attractions in Sussex and along the South East coast of England.

Here’s three of the routes to look for when planning a day trip:

Ditchling Beacon (Route 79)

The bus to the Beacon takes you to the second highest point on the South Downs. Previously an Iron Age hill fort, it’s now the starting point for walks across the Sussex Countryside on the South Downs Way. And if you’d prefer, it’s a fantastic picnic spot.

The bus can be caught in the centre of town, and leaves Old Steine on its way to the Clock tower, Brighton Station before heading out of town to the Beacon.Take a camera, some walking shoes and a set of lungs if you plan on heading any further north.

Dates and info: Sundays and Public Holidays from 2 October, then from Saturday 23 April – 24 September.

Devil’s Dyke (77)

Ask for a double-decker dyke in Brighton and this is what you’ll get. The 77 takes you out of town, leaving from near the West Pier and going via Churchill Sq and Brighton Station. And what a route! Once you are out of town it’s pure wind-in-the-hair motoring and dramatic views back to the coast.

The Dyke was a favoured spot for the Victorians to exercise and socialise. To the north you’ve the same endless views into the Sussex plains, but don’t forget to wander back from the viewing point and into the steep-sided valley that is the Dyke – legend has it, it’s the imprint of the Devil’s arse. Again a great budget day out near Brighton.

Dates and Info: Saturdays/ Sundays From 1 October. Then 26 June to 31 August for the open-top bus, and from 17 April for the usual double-decker.

View over green fields back to Stanmer Park. Pic: Flickr/Yandle

Stanmer Park (78 and 25)

Our favourite of the nearby parks. Picture perfect English village and just on the edge of town. It plays host to festivals throughout the spring and summer, but is worth a visit all year round. There are also garden nurseries and the impressive Stanmer House to see. There are regular health walks and tours, as well as a café that does excellent cream teas – so we’re told.

Dates and info: Every 5-10 minutes leaving from Old Steine and Brighton Station, and similar for the 25 which leaves from Churchill Square.

For the best information about getting budget bus trips in Sussex, check out the Brighton and Hove Bus Company