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Brighton and Hove is a city. It is a unitary authority area on the south coast of England, encompassing the towns of Brighton and Hove. In 2000, Brighton and Hove were merged to form a single unitary authority, and the area was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2001.
Brighton does not have a cathedral. However, it does have several notable churches and religious buildings, including St. Peter's Church, which is often referred to as "Brighton's Parish Church." While it's not a cathedral in the formal sense, St. Peter's holds historical significance and architectural beauty, dating back to the 19th century.
Brighton is home to the Royal Pavilion, which was built as a seaside retreat for King George IV when he was Prince Regent. While it's often referred to as a palace due to its grandeur and regal associations, technically, it's not a royal palace in the traditional sense. The Royal Pavilion is a magnificent and distinctive building with architectural influences from India and China, featuring lavish interiors and beautiful gardens. Today, it serves as a museum and tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into its fascinating history and extravagant design.
The nearest major airport to Brighton is Gatwick Airport (LGW), which is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Brighton. Gatwick Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom and serves as a major international gateway, offering flights to destinations worldwide. While not in Brighton itself, Gatwick Airport provides convenient access to air travel for residents of Brighton and the surrounding area.
Brighton does not have a commercial port. While it has a historic connection to the sea and was once an important fishing and shipping town, its port activities have significantly declined over the years. Nowadays, Brighton Marina serves more recreational and leisure purposes rather than being a commercial port. However, nearby Newhaven, located approximately 9 miles (14 kilometers) east of Brighton, does have a commercial port that handles freight and passenger ferry services to France.
Brighton has a major railway station called Brighton railway station. It's one of the busiest railway stations in the United Kingdom outside London, serving as a key transportation hub for the city of Brighton and the wider region of East Sussex. The station is located in the city center and provides frequent train services to destinations including London, Gatwick Airport, Southampton, and other cities along the south coast.
M23: The M23 motorway connects London to the south coast of England. While Brighton itself doesn't have a direct connection to the M23, the motorway passes to the east of the city, and drivers can reach Brighton via A-roads from junctions such as Junction 11 (Pease Pottage) or Junction 10 (Crawley).
A23: The A23 road runs from London to Brighton, providing a major route between the two cities. While not a motorway, the A23 is a significant dual carriageway road that serves as a primary route for traffic traveling between London and Brighton.
Brighton is home to the University of Brighton, which is a prominent institution offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university has multiple campuses across the city, offering programs in various fields such as arts, humanities, sciences, health sciences, and engineering. The University of Brighton contributes significantly to the academic and cultural life of the city, attracting students from around the world and playing an active role in research and community engagement.
The Romans did establish settlements and towns along the south coast of England, but there is no evidence to suggest that Brighton was one of them.
The origins of Brighton as a town are more closely associated with the Anglo-Saxon period and the Middle Ages. The name "Brighton" is thought to derive from the Old English words "bricht" (meaning "bright") and "tūn" (meaning "farmstead" or "settlement"), suggesting that it may have been a farmstead or rural settlement in Anglo-Saxon times.
Brighton began to develop as a fishing village and agricultural community during the Middle Ages. Its growth accelerated in the 18th century when it became fashionable as a seaside resort, particularly following the construction of the Royal Pavilion for the Prince Regent (later King George IV).
Overall, while Brighton has a long history of human habitation, it was not a Roman town. Its development into a significant settlement occurred later, during the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods, and it became well-known as a seaside resort in more recent centuries.
Some of the historical public houses of Brighton and Hove are listed here.