Brighton was one of the first of the great seaside resorts of Europe. A fashion for sea water cures around the middle of the 18th century coincided with the beginnings of modern seaside tourism generally, and the result was the transformation of the old fishing town of Brighthelmstone into the modern sea resort of Brighton.

Brighton tourism
George IV built the city's most famous landmark, the Royal Pavilion, and his patronage made Brighton famous and fashionable. By the time of the arrival of the railway connection between London and Brighton in 1841, the age of modern tourism had truly descended on the bright city by the sea, bringing an estimated 250,000 annual visitors already before 1850.

Today Brighton is a more popular destination than ever, with some 8 million tourists visiting each year. The Royal Pavilion and the Brighton Pier are still essential parts of the city and links to its past, but a true cultural renaissance has occurred during the last decade that has transformed Brighton into something much more than just a seaside resort.

Arts and culture
Brighton and Hove (together given city status in 2000) is today one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the UK, with world-class arts and culture, a world-famous music and club scene, an incredible nightlife, great shopping, top-class restaurants and a deep-seated tolerance of alternative lifestyles. Brighton is well known for its gay scene, and the city's bohemian traditions are alive and well.

Brighton is a growing, confident and forward-looking city. A state-of-the-art library was built for the new Cultural Quarter in the North Laine area, and several new hotels are planned both for here and the new Urban Village next to Brighton Station.