Things to see and do Brighton

This sumptuous and surprising building in the center of Brighton was the brainchild of the eccentric prince and future king George IV. Originally a simple farmhouse, the building was bought by him to be transformed into a classical villa, where he hosted huge receptions. But it wasn't until he became regent that he thought bigger, and things took on their present scale. He commissioned architect John Nash to design a huge palace inspired by India, Asia being a fascination of the English Regency period. Work was carried out between 1815 and 1822, and today it remains the city's undeniable landmark alongside the pier on the waterfront.

Visitors will undoubtedly marvel at the overflowing imagination of the decorator and architect, who pushed fantasy to the limit. Inside, you'll feel like you're in a fairytale palace: columns, bamboo banisters, sea-serpent curtain rods, a gigantic fireplace topped with gilded palms, lacquered, sculpted, mother-of-pearl-encrusted furniture... The palms in the large kitchen match the dragons on the wallpaper in the music room, where Rossini played.

The Royal Pavilion tearoom, on the upper floor, is an eccentric and sophisticated café, with a sunny balcony on fine days overlooking the Royal Pavilion gardens. A must-see when in Brighton.

This iconic monument to the city and the English coast as a whole first opened in 1899. Its West Pier counterpart may have burned to the ground, leaving only a frail, blackened skeleton, but this behemoth still stands against the English Channel skyline, and remains one of the region's most photographed monuments for its Victorian architecture. It is even said to be the country's most visited attraction outside London... Its old-fashioned charm still makes for pleasant strolls and impressive views over the whole city.

This charred skeleton abandoned 50 m from the beach is none other than West Pier. Built in 1866, it was a popular spot for strollers, and later became home to a theater and concert hall. Closed in 1975 for safety reasons, it gradually fell into disrepair and was finally destroyed in 2002 by a storm and two successive fires. Its restoration was abandoned for lack of sufficient funds. In 2014 a new project was launched to breathe new life into Brighton's historic West Pier, the British Airways i360 tower, which opened in August 2016.

Sea life Brighton, with its Victorian architecture, opened its doors in 1872 and claims to be the oldest aquarium still in operation today. At the time, it was the largest in the world, and today you can still come and meet some 3,500 marine creatures, from the most colorful fish to sea turtles, sharks, octopuses and many more. Awe-inspiring! A must-see attraction for families and when the weather's not on your side. Which is often the case in England.

Soar high to see Brighton and the beautiful south coast as you glide up to 138 metres in a futuristic-looking glass capsule. Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye, the tower can accommodate up to 175 visitors. A visualization map is available, a multilingual application can be downloaded and the Sky Bar, nestled in the centre of the gondola, serves drinks throughout the flight. Free exhibition on the construction of the tower and souvenir shop. A must-see during a stay in Brighton!

The estate dates back to 1309, but the present castle took shape in 1688. Charles Seymour, ^6th Duke of Somerset, decided to rebuild the ancestral home of the Percy family, of which he had become master through marriage. The dominant period is the ^17th century, but successive masters of the estate have each made their own mark. The Turner Room, or "The Red Room", is entirely dedicated to the painter who was a regular visitor to Petworth in the 1830s. At the same time, the North Gallery was built, dedicated to Turner, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Fuseli..

Located under the Victorian arches of Brighton station, this museum houses almost 10,000 items related to the world of toys and childhood over more than 4,000^m2. Aimed at toy enthusiasts and younger visitors alike, it features trains dating back to 1860, dioramas and many other objects from Britain, Europe and the USA. It's the ideal activity to do with your children if the weather doesn't allow you to enjoy swimming and the beach.

Inside the museum, you'll find an appreciable variety of collections, from Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects to Spanish, Flemish and English paintings, costumes and archaeological finds. The museum also offers a rich program of temporary exhibitions. To complement the exhibits, interactive screens are installed, attracting the interest of younger visitors.