Brighton Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Brighton

The town of Bristelmestune is first mentioned in William the Conqueror's Domesday Book of 1085. In 1810 it officially became Brighton. The area of Brighton has known settlements since the Bronze Age. It experienced Celts, Saxons, Romans. But the train stopped with the arrival of the Normans in 1066.

When Conquering William took the helm, Bristelmestune was a fishing village of 400 souls. William established a rent for the town of 4000 herrings. As the Old Rabbi said, "Thank God for the herrings." Time marched on. In 1514 French Admiral Pregent de Bidoux sacked and burned the town. Recovery was relatively quick, thanks to more fishing.

Charles II was on the lam in Brighton in 1651 after losing the Battle of Worcester. Feeling rather saucy, he decamped for France in the good ship "Surprise." The town fell on hard times and declined seriously until the 1730s, when it began its dramatic recovery.

What goes up must come down and then it goes back up. Three things contributed to Brighton's renaissance. Doctor Richard Russell popularized the fad for healing by bathing in and drinking seawater. He moved his practice to Brighton. His well-heeled patients flocked to Brighton's pebbled beaches and dived in.

George, Prince of Wales, later King George IV, arrived in 1783. He liked Brighton so much he ordered his famous Royal Pavilion to be built. It is the most celebrated landmark of Brighton to this day. The arrival of the London and Brighton Railway in 1841 made it easy for London day-trippers to come. They're still coming.

Must see items in Brighton include the Royal Pavilion. Completed in the early 19th century by architect John Nash it is famous for its Indian-Arabic architecture. The Brighton Marine Palace Pier is a funfair with its restaurants and arcades. British Airways i360 lifts visitors high above the beach.

The list must also include Jubilee Square, the Brighton Clock Tower, Volk's Electric Railway, and the Grand Hotel. Saint Nicholas Church dates from the 11th century. Finally the beaches. The healing waters are still there. Water polo anyone?