Itinerary idea: Brighton’s royal links, seaside fun and sky-high views

Ever since royal party animal George IV fell in love with the city back in the 18th century, Brighton has been a popular choice for groups, and rightly so. 

With its Regency squares and crescents, iconic Royal Pavilion and famous piers, today Brighton is as well-known for being a welcoming and diverse city with a passion for culture, creativity and sustainability as it is for its historic landmarks.

Here’s what you could pack into a day trip to Brighton… 

10am: Visit the Royal Pavilion to take in the decadence of one of Brighton’s top attractions. Visitors can enjoy the splendour of the historic venue which was the seaside palace of the Prince Regent (George IV), transformed by John Nash between 1815 and 1823 to resemble Indian architcture.

Groups can explore its grand interiors which encompasses the Banqueting Room, which once provided the perfect setting for lavish dinners, as well the Music Room with its Chinese-inspired decoration under a glorious domed ceiling.

1pm: Just a 15 minute walk down the promenade from the Royal Pavilion is the Regency Restaurant. Here, you can enjoy locally caught fresh fish and seafood while taking in the views of the sea and the West Pier. The Regency Restaurant caters for group sizes of up to 140 when booked in advance, so fitting in your members shouldn’t be a problem.

3pm: Why not feedback some of the other options available to your group in and let them decide what should come next on the agenda. Those who have a head for heights may want to take a flight on the Brighton i360. Gently glide up to 450ft in the spacious glass viewing pod to enjoy 360-degree views of Brighton, the South Downs and the stunning coastline. 

The Lanes and North Laine area of the city are also another top option, buzzing with independent shops and cafes which offer up the perfect spot to find some delicious snacks and do some people watching. Or, if your members fancy more of a work out then they can hire a bike Brighton Beach Bikes (both hybrid and standard pedal bikes) so you can create your own route of exploration.

Evening: No visit to the city is complete without heading to Brighton Palace Pier. The Pier offers fun for everyone, from hair-raising rides, arcade games and traditional fairground favourites such as Hook a Duck and Tin Can Alley, to wining and dining while gazing out to sea.

In the winter months you can watch the starlings perform their murmurations from here every evening as the sun goes down.