Thursday 13 March 2014

Get to know Brighton with a Greet


Today we hand over to a guest blogger - Sophie Whelpton works for Mulberry Cottages and recently went on a walk around Brighton with one of the VisitBrighton Greeters...

I really was not expecting so much from a walk around Brighton. Having lived in East Sussex for 14 years, and having used Brighton as a shopping and cultural centre for some time (have been to the theatre quite a bit and have watched bands at the Brighton Centre) I sort of felt quietly confident that I would know where we were going and what was what in Brighton. I was totally wrong!!

We met at the wonderful Brighton Museum
We met at the wonderful Brighton Museum
Chris our Greeter, met me and one other greetee (is that a word?) at The Brighton Museum on a sunny afternoon last week (so lucky with the weather!).

Walked through the Pavilion Gardens
Walked through the Pavilion Gardens
We had a little introductory talk, Chris apologised in advance, saying that he was prone to talk about the history rather a lot but it was his passion, so we must tell him if he is going on a bit too much!

I was fascinated, I think it was lucky that I really did not know the history of Brighton as I learned such a lot about Dr Russell and how he had influenced the wealthy and well connected in the 18th Century to come to Brighton to have the Sea Water Cure. We walked through the Lanes (I learned the difference between Lanes and the North Laine too!) and admired the quirky individual shops and specialists.

The Brighton Pavilion
The Brighton Pavilion
We walked along The Twitten (you will only find these in Sussex – a very narrow lane) and Chris also showed us amazing graffiti.

So much amazing graffiti
So much amazing graffiti
He also told us about a guy called the Cassette Lord, who has decorated junction boxes all over Brighton, so I started looking out for these.

The Cassette Lord has been busy in Brighton
The Cassette Lord has been busy in Brighton
Round every corner there is something to look at...

So many quirky shops to explore
So many quirky shops to explore

Bright Brighton!
Bright Brighton!
The Laines are full of individual shops and stalls
The area is full of individual shops and stalls

We passed the Komedia  in New Road
We passed the Komedia in Gardner Street
I did not want our little tour to stop, but we ran out of time and I am definitely coming back to Brighton to learn more! I thanked Chris – the Greeters do an amazing unpaid job – I would recommend a Greeter trip to anybody, especially to those who think they know the city like I did!

If you would like a Greeter Tour, just get in touch with VisitBrighton and they will organise it.  If the idea of spending some time in Brighton appeals to you.

We have some lovely holiday cottages in the Brighton and Hove area, the perfect place to stay so you can explore all that Brighton has to offer, just call our bookings team on 01227 464958 or email: info@mulberrycottages.com.  You will not be disappointed!