A Brief History of Brighton

by: WeLoveLocal.com | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 296 | View PDF | Print View

Brighton is perhaps one of the nation's favourite seaside towns and has a special place in the hearts of many. It's famous for its pier, pebbly beaches and naughty comedy postcards.

Brighton's humble beginnings however started when the Saxons conquered Sussex in the 5th century AD. One of them was called Beorthelm and it is thought that the name Brighton evolved from this Saxon name. Brighton developed throughout the middle ages despite suffering from coastal erosion which swallowed a great deal of farmland. The town was also burned down by the French in the 17th century however was subsequently rebuilt thanks to the wooden construction of many of its buildings and began to flourish afterwards with a thriving fishing industry. The 18th century really saw Brighton take off and in 1787 the most famous building in Brighton, the Pavillion, was built for the first time.

The 19th century saw further rapid expansion and in 1841 a railway to London opened which made it much easier for visitors to reach Brighton. By 1848 it was estimated that 250,000 people visited Brighton each year. It was during this period that West Pier was built in 1866 and Palace Pier in 1899. Brighton saw extensive damage during the Second World War with 56 air raids causing over 5,000 houses to be damaged or destroyed.

Brighton and Hove was made a city in 2000 and in December 2002 West Pier partly collapsed when severe weather hit Brighton. Unfortunately Brighton's other pier, the Palace Pier was damaged by fire in February 2003 although it has subsequently reopened. Brighton is thriving today however and has an active scene for clubbers and party goers. Brighton also sees regular gay pride events due to its cosmopolitan and diverse culture.

About the Author

To find out more about Brighton and to get detailed business listings, reviews, guides and maps visit WeLoveLocal.com's Brighton Guide and find out what this amazing city has to offer.

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