The Student’s Guide to Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier sign
The Brighton Pier
License: Public Domain

Welcome to Brighton!

Brighton is a popular tourist destination filled with a myriad of activities and attractions in addition to its rich historical background and diverse multicultural society. Naturally, this ensures a welcoming atmosphere in a city that accommodates all manner of varied student hobbies and interests.
VisitBrighton provide a great description that encompasses just how accommodating the city of Brighton can be:

From iconic tourist attractions to beachfront cool, Brighton is a treasure trove of things to do and places to go. Vibrant, colourful, fun and free, Brighton offers the energy of the city and freedom of the sea. It really is unique.
From the stunning heritage of the Royal Pavilion, Regency architecture and Victorian aquariums to the seaside fun of Brighton Pier, the Brighton Wheel and the famous pebble beach, Brighton offers something for every walk of life.

For new students, the university experience may appear both, very exciting and equally daunting. However, this guide provides information that ranges from introducing the activities available at Brighton Pier to pre-University advice.

Brighton 360 video
Video by YouTube user: Hugo King-Fretts (Hugo King-Fretts, 2014)
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Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier front
Brighton Pier
License: Public Domain

A Coastal Landmark that Aims to Entertain

Brighton Pier is Brighton's unrivalled pleasure pier. Featuring a myriad of attractions, the coastal landmark caters to a multitude of individuals with varied and refined interests.
The Brighton Pier enjoys widespread recognition as the recreational attraction has featured in numerous media such as films and television series. The pier is also irresistible to large companies such as Coca Cola, who capture the scenic views for advertisements. Furthermore, various celebrities such as The Spice Girls, Robbie Williams, and Katie Price have enjoyed days out at the iconic pier.

The pier is home to over 12 rides from thrill rides such as the speed-demon Turbo Coaster that boasts multiple high speed drops and loops to more traditional rides such as the Carousel and Dodgems.

With an aim to entertain regardless of the weather, Brighton Pier houses 2 massive amusement arcades, "The Palace of Fun" and "The Dome". The Palace of Fun was the first amusement arcade to pioneer the Guitar Hero arcade experience and continues to excite with a wide variety of arcade entertainment ranging from classics to modern games. Prizes such as PlayStation 4 consoles are also on offer to provide further incentive to indulge in the arcade experience.
The Dome is another amusement arcade with a clear focus on competitive arcade games such as Air Hockey. Again, a copious selection of prizes is available to fuel the competitive games.

Food and drink is also easily accessible with a restaurant, 3 bars, and a multitude of sweet treat and savoury snack kiosks on the pier. The Palm Court restaurant provides a large selection of dishes from staples such as the classic fish and chips, to even more enticing meals such as the signature "Big Fish" dish.
A simple end to end scroll of the pier not only dissolves guilty indulgences but also reveals the breathtakingly calming and scenic ocean views of the revamped pier.

End To End Walk Of Brighton Pier In England UK
Video by YouTube user: ToyBroadway (ToyBroadway, 2014)


Find Out More about Brighton Pier

The Brighton Pier is easily accessible via bar, bus, or train. To find out more about the Brighton Pier such as opening times, please refer to the Brighton Pier website.

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Brighton Pier's Surrounding Attractions

Brighton wheel
The Brighton Wheel in Brighton, England
Photo by Jvhertum (Brighton wheel, 2015). License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Meet Brighton Pier's Exciting Neighbours!

Due to its location and popularity, Brighton Pier is surrounded by numerous other attractions all vying for your attention. These nearby attractions include:

  • The Brighton Sea Life Centre
  • The Fishing Museum
  • Cafes, bars, and restaurants
  • Artists' Quarter (where unique prints and paintings can be purchased)

One very popular and iconic attraction is the Brighton Wheel. Located just left of the Brighton Pier, the Brighton Wheel is a popular Ferris wheel dedicated to providing visitors stunning city and coastline views. The 45 metre wide wheel features 36 fully air-conditioned, glass-enclosed capsules that each provide continuous, sensational views of the city and seafront.

The Brighton Wheel
Video by YouTube user: hurk (hurk, 2011)

For more information on the Brighton Wheel, please visit the Brighton Wheel website.

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Beyond Brighton Pier

Explore Brighton!

The Brighton Pier and its surrounding attractions are only the tip of the metaphorical iceberg as Brighton offers many more attractions such as the Greyhound Stadium, Adventure Parks, and myriad of Night clubs.

Britain's Best Breaks ~ Brighton & Hove
Video by YouTube user: BritishBreaks (BritishBreaks, 2012)
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One More Thing: Explore your Campus

Watts building
Watts building
Photo by permission of Mark Kent (Kent, 2015)

As a prospective student, you are gifted with the opportunity to explore your potential campus and the surrounding area. This fantastic idea is strongly advised, especially on open days when prospective students are given welcome talks and tours to introduce them to their university, campus, course, and facilities. An open day is the perfect opportunity to explore and familiarise with the campus, its facilities such as the library, canteen/café, and many new people such as university staff and other students.
Exploring your campus will yield many benefits such as providing a familiarity that helps reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with adjusting to university life. In addition, you will feel more comfortable with your environment and may even make some new acquaintances ahead of the start of your course.

Moulscoomb Campus Gallery — Photography by Permission of Mark Kent (Kent, 2015)
  1. Cockroft building Cockroft Building
  2. Aldrich library Aldrich Library
  3. Cockroft lecture theatre Cockroft Lecture Theatre
  4. Lectern Brighton University Sign Cockroft Lecture Theatre Lectern Sign
  5. Cockroft computer suite Cockroft Computer Suite
  6. Cockroft computer suite Cockroft Computer Suite

For your convenience, a list of suggested places to explore on or around your campus is included below (note that depending on your campus, not all facilities may be available):

  1. On campus
    • Campus buildings and their receptions
    • School office
    • Canteens/ cafés
    • Student union shop/reception
    • Student services (accommodation, careers, etc)
    • Library and computer poolrooms
    • Halls of residence and reception
    • Medical practice
    • Gym
    • Banking facilities
  2. Around campus
    • Local shops (grocery, supermarket, etc)
    • Laundrette
    • Hairdresser
    • Restaurants/takeaways
    • Bus stations
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