Brighton

We are here in Brighton to go to a gig at the Brighton Centre, conveniently located facing the sea. We are looking forward to enjoying Michael Kiwanuka and his band. The gig was first on our radar two years ago, but COVID and lock down created a long delay. Before the main business however we thought we would have a brisk tour around the city to remember sights we saw in our previous visit in 2010 and to enjoy some new ones.

We started at the Town Hall (above). The current building was commissioned to replace a previous town hall built on the western side of Market Street in 1727. The new building, which was designed by Thomas Cooper in the Greek Revival style and built at a cost of £60,000, was officially opened in 1832. Later the local police force, formed in 1838, established a police station in the building and police cells in the basement. The police cells were removed in 1965, but a police museum took their place.

We found our way into Ship Street and the imposing Seven Stars.

We wondered through the Lanes and emerged into North Street where we admired this redbrick building on the left.

Continuing in the same direction we found ourselves in the gardens of the wonderful Royal Pavilion.

This statue of George IV stands near the North Gate of the Royal Pavilion. It was put up in 1828 and paid for by public subscription. During his time as Prince Regent (1811-1820) he was responsible for the huge growth of Brighton and the building of the Royal Pavilion

As time was short we retraced our steps up North Street to reach the Clock Tower, one of the very many erected all over the country in honour of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. Our most recent sighting was in Ripon.

Now we hurried back to our hotel, passing several interesting buildings (OK, bars) ...

Then to the Brighton Centre where Michael Kiwanuka and his band put on a great, and long overdue, show. Below is is my best effort at an iPhone photo.