Traditions and culture in Brighton

While many south coast towns and cities have emerged on the back of Britannia's naval ambitions and trade links with the rest of the world, Brighton has for centuries been associated with nothing more than tourism and stress-free summer holidays.

The emergence of an efficient railway network across the UK in the mid-18th century helped the city to establish itself as a destination of choice for both day-trippers and those looking for a longer break from London or elsewhere - including King George IV, whose Royal Pavilion remains a highlight - and this status as a good-time Mecca is still very much in evidence.

Alongside this, Brighton has also become one of the most diverse melting pots of different cultures and lifestyles in the country, with the city now synonymous with a strong gay and lesbian scene as well as a thriving arts community.

As such, the city's bars and music venues regularly play host to some of the biggest names in popular and emerging music.

Things to do in Brighton

Tourists looking for a place to get away from the daily stresses of the office and enjoy a bargain holiday>are spoilt for choice with plenty of Brighton hotels to choose from.

Running parallel to the pebbled beach, the city's numerous nightclubs and bars attract music lovers by the millions each year, with the summer months particularly busy due to the large number of festivals and outdoors events hosted by both local authorities and celebrities.

However, Brighton is far from just a holiday destination for those looking to let their hair down.

The seafront retains its old-English charm, with Brighton Pier, which features a funfare and numerous amusement arcades, ideally suited to families and, while the wives and daughters explore the many boutiques coming off the revamped Lanes district, dads are able to take a trip on the Volk Electric Railway, the world's oldest electric railway system which runs alongside the beach front.

Other highlights include the Brighton Museum, the fascinating Booth Museum of Natural History and the Brighton Toy and Model Museum.

Weather in Brighton

Hugging the south coast of England, Brighton benefits from some of the best weather in all of the UK.

As such, though its beach is pebbled rather than sandy, it serves as a magnet for sun-lovers, with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius far from rare over the summer months.

During the winter, temperatures can drop markedly and rain is common, though this still fails to deter a hardcore few who brave the choppy waters for a Christmas or New Year's Day dip.

Destination checklist for Brighton

Brighton has a population of around 156,000

The city is on GMT/UTC time.

The official currency is the pound.

English is the official language spoken.

The city's international dialling code is +44.