Brighton history

The ancient settlement that Brighton now lies over pre-dates the Domesday book but its growth has been stimulated by the demand for a health resort in the 18th century and again in the late 19th century with railways allowing Londoners to spend a day on the beach. These eras of development mean that much of the architecture is in the regency style with originally two fantastic piers jutting into the sea. It is home to two universities and a medical school. The Victorian era saw the building of many major attractions including the Grand Hotel (1864), the West Pier (1866) however this is awaiting reconstruction after it had two fires in 2003 and the Palace Pier (1899).