Tour of Brighton

1. Standing outside the Tourist Information Centre by Indian Gateway

• The ‘Indian Gateway’ of the Royal Pavilion next to you opened in 1921 a gift from Indian Princes to the people of Brighton. Gateway is a memorial to Indian Soldiers. Brighton Pavilion was used to care for soldiers injured in the 1st World War.

• Brighton Pavilion a very famous landmark • It was built by Prince of Wales - Eldest son of George 3rd

he came to Brighton in 1783 to celebrate his 21st birthday. Brighton had been discovered by rich and famous for therapeutic qualities of the sea.

• In 1786 the Prince rented a farmhouse which stood on which is the site of the Pavilion with his wife.

• He transformed the farmhouse with architect Henry Holland bought land to build riding school and stables. Stables occupy Brighton Dome these were the grandest in the country and have a 24m wide dome. They thought this would collapse but 200 years later is still standing.

• John Nash in1815 revamped the Pavilion as it is today. Interior is influenced by Chinese and Indian design.

Brighton Pavilion and Dome

2. Gardens of Royal Pavilion• Ahead of you Brighton

Dome and Brighton Museum - this is free to enter and describes the history of Brighton.

• Dome is entertainment venue.

• Head straight over crossroad of pathways with Dome and Museum on your right.

3. New Road and Theatre Royal • Theatre Royal opposite 1806

very popular with Prince of Wales and interior Victorian times. Many pre and post West end shows.

• Head left and walk to end of New Road. Turn right and cross the road at the pedestrian crossing.

4. Meeting House Lane• Walk along meeting house

lane to where it meets Prince Albert Street.

• Walk along past flint wall on right hand side. Brighton's first Non Conformist Chapel. Dates from 1698.

• Meeting House Lane turns sharp left and sharp right. Residential area in 19th Century.

Prince Albert Street

Meeting House Lane

5. At end of Meeting House Lane close to corner Black Lion Street

• Black Lion Street and Black Lion Pub both named after emblem of Flanders. Flemish settled here in 16th Century.

• Cricketers Pub was Last and Fishcut. Last and old measure of fish. Name changed to Cricketers in 1790, it was hang out for Graham Greene the novelist who wrote Brighton Rock.

• Walk along very narrow passage between 2 pubs called Black Lion Lane.

6. Black Lion Lane crosses Ship Street• Future King Charles 2nd hid in Brighton to avoid the

roundheads - allegedly he hid in this lane before being taken to France by a fisherman.

• Narrow passage ways in Brighton are known as ‘twittens’. • Cross Ship Street and enter Ship Street Gardens lined with

19th shops and cottages, including Fig Tree Cottage on left named after the fig tree hanging over the wall.

• There are a wide variety of shops in this twitten.

7. Ship Street Gardens meets Middle Street• Turn left and head towards Kings

Road overlooking the seafront.

To King Street

8. Middle Street meets Kings Road• Brighton’s original attraction is its

seaside location.• To right crumbling remains of West

Pier. This was build in 1866. • Brighton Pier is most popular

attractions in the country it was built between 1891 and 1899 and is 1722 ft long and regarded the best pier ever built.

• Go back along Middle Street.

MIDDLE STREET

View of King’s Road from Middle Street

King’s Road

9. Corner of Middle Street and Dukes Lane• Follow Dukes Lane – this twitten built in 1970’s.

Middle Street

Duke’s Lane

10. Dukes Lane Meets Ship Street• Walk into Prince Albert Street at end turn left into

market street walk along left hand side until you reach a pub called the Pump House.

The Entrance to Dukes lane from Ship Street.

11. Pump House• The Pump House pub is one of the oldest buildings in Brighton and Hove - the

pub named after the town well which used to be here. • Sign on the pub shows a pump – a sea pump to take sea water to indoor baths

to the city. They become popular in the late 18th and 19th Century.• Pump House Pub is also noted for black tiles on upper walls in late 18th

Century. These tiles are very weather proof and provide protection against sea air.

• Past pump house there is the house of correction on the right. Can be seen by plaque on the wall. This is jail built in reign of William the 4th.

• Turn to right and head for narrow passageway with Sussex Tavern on your left.

12. Pedestrian Area of East Street• The Sussex Tavern

used to be called the Spread Eagle and a favourite haunt for smugglers. Some historians say it was a wharf on a small inlet from the sea.• Cross East Street and turn left and

then right into lane.

13. Outside YMCA • It has strong royal connections, even if they are somewhat illicit. Stein house was built in

1804 for Maria Fitzherbert, who died in 1837. Prince George had numerous mistresses around the country but was said to be deeply in love with Maria Fitzherbert. He had actually married her back in 1785 yet, because she was Catholic, the marriage was not deemed legal.

• Because of the royal laws forbade the union, Maria was not allowed to live in the Royal Pavilion with her ‘husband’ and so he had this house built for her.

• There are rumours that there were once underground passageways that led to the Pavilion.• To complete the tour, turn with your back to the YMCA and head left, away from the green,

on the right hand side of Castle Square. Cross Palace Place and take the next right. You will soon see the Indian Gateway which marks the end of the tour.