Entrusted Leisure: the British seaside escape

Brighton - Layers of Leisure

Brighton has been a seaside lure for the Brits for over 200 years. Each generation has brought its own inexhaustible set of whims, preferences, and leisure-supporting technologies to this seaside locale to create their own ideal place of seaside pleasure - removed from the frenetic 'smog' of urban London. 

In due course, today's Brighton shows the resulting eclectic melange of urban languages; the dispelled wishes and ideals made concrete. One can read the near physical, and literal, layering of such. From the king of architectural follies to the roller-coasters and fried chips. The fantastical dragon laden and gilt festooned Royal Pavilion carves out pure fantasy of a King who created his vision of the East, without having ever traveled that far, codifying his own perceived power (or as an 'emperor') of the 'world', that sets the stage of indulgence and a scene to which to party in new worldly wonder, with freshness of the salted air. This royal extravaganza scales right down to the 1990s style game arcades and roller-coasters which throb aloft the slender stilts of the Pier, set as a vestige piece of a Victorian promenade. Hats (and shirts) are now optional. Stripey blue beach recliners are free, and cheap artery clogging donuts and fried chips, are almost mandatory. Alas piped 'easy listening' music is guaranteed, until the ocean teetering bumper cars and 'haunted house' rides pump out pop music at the horizon line of the Earth. 

The Royal Pavilion. Make me a king! At least for a day.

Today's Brighton bears all these times and moments - the thick assemblage of seaside pleasure. As your correspondent sits in a small breakfast room of a converted seaside Regency terrace, its owner informs me of Brighton's proud position at number three for European party destinations for Hen's and Buck's nights - only after Prague and Amsterdam, no less. Its location, as a quick escape from London, doubles its attractiveness, and the bars, clubs, and cheery support networks all follow in sweet pursuit. 

[an eclectic melange of urban languages; the dispelled wishes and ideals made concrete]

Importantly, it is a place of acceptance. The two universities keep the city honest and with a youthful verve, and the quirky hangover of Regency and Victorian ideologies, provide for a creative energy. Its a place where everyone can meet on the Pier - not judged, but reclining, shirtless at times, in the sun - breathing in the salty seaside escapism.

Brighton Pier. Come sit by me.

Brighton. Summer loving. Pebbles or sand.