Travel Tips - Family-fun in England

Located a short drive or bus ride east from the city centre, Brighton’s Marina is a superb haven away from the crowds, perfect for a short day trip.

You can enjoy people watching at one of the many waterside cafes and restaurants - which include a number of chains including Strada, Café Rouge and Pizza Express - , shopping at the city’s outlet shopping centre or perhaps go bowling at the large Bowlplex centre.

One of my personal highlights however is walking through the quayside and admiring the huge range of yachts and powerboats. There is nothing quite like seeing how the other half live. Water tours and deep sea fishing trips are also available from the marina. You can even walk up each ‘arm’ of the Marina, which offers wonderful views back to the Marina village, or, if you’re feeling energetic, following the undercliff walk all the way to Saltdean, a distance of 4.5km.

A trip to the seaside would not be completed without paying a visit to the Volk’s Electric railway, which is the world oldest operating electric railroad. For an adult return fare of £2.70 (with concessions for children), this quaint little beachside railway will take you along the length of Brighton’s Madeira drive (near the Palace pier) along to Black Rock (near the Marina).

Fun for all the family and an ideal change from catching a bus or taxi to Brighton Marina.

Perhaps one of the most iconic sights of the south coast, Brighton’s Palace Pier is expensive and tacky but well worth a wander down.

Get some chips and mushy peas from the restaurant half way down, dodge the swooping seagulls and if you’ve got any money left from the arcades, have a slide down the helter skelter. Fantastic.