Armchair Traveler: Brighton (UK)

レアジョブ英会話 Daily News Article Podcast

Brighton might just be the favorite destination for Londoners on a weekend jaunt. Partly, that’s because it’s so close — just a smidgen over an hour from London’s Victoria station to Brighton station. Once you’re there, there’s the glorious bustling Brighton Pier, the open-air restaurants in The Lanes, and the Royal Pavilion. Brighton Pier is where you’ll find the crowds. It opened in its present form just before the turn of the 20th century and is still going strong. You’ll be surprised at how many attractions they’ve packed into its amusement park area, around 500 meters out from the beach. Kids will love the trampolines and the bouncy castle, but don’t forget the many rides for adults. After the pier, stroll along the seafront to enjoy the sea air. Visit the Upside Down House for the upside-down photos you know you want to upload to your Instagram. Now, it’s time for a visit to the Royal Pavilion. It was the seaside palace for two British kings and a queen before it was sold to Brighton in 1850. Since then, it has become one of the city’s most-loved tourist attractions. From the outside, it looks like a jumble of styles, including from India and China. Enter and be dazzled by its huge banquet room, royal bedrooms and reception rooms. It’s an eye-opening look at how British royals used to live. Finally, if you’re visiting in winter then you’re in for a treat. Swarms of hundreds of thousands of starlings, called “murmurations,” fly to the piers in Brighton. You can see their brilliant displays from the seafront — one more thing that makes Brighton so special. (T) This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.