Brighton is the largest and most famous seaside resort in Sussex, England. Brighton and Hove form a single conurbation. Brighton's lively atmosphere is a direct contrast to its near neighbor which is quieter and more refined. The two borough councils were joined together in 1997, with Brighton & Hove officially becoming a city in 2000.
The city began life as a fishing village known as 'Brighthelmstone'. Brighthelmstone began to change in 1753 when Dr Russell of Lewes published his thesis on sea bathing, which proclaimed the benefit to health of the salt water. He set up house there and before long, the rich and ill had started to make their way to the seaside. By 1780, development of the Regency terraces had started and the town quickly became the fashionable resort of Brighton. The growth of the town was further encouraged when, in 1786, the young Prince Regent later King George IV, rented a farmhouse in order to escape from public life. Eventually he spent much of his leisure time in the town and constructed the exotic-looking Royal Pavilion, which is the town's best-known landmark.
In Brighton, the area occupied by the original fishing village has become The Lanes - a collection of narrow alleyways now filled with a mixture of antique shops, restaurants, bistros and pubs. In Hove, peace and tranquillity fills the wide boulevards, creating a welcome retreat. Brighton is also a well known conference centre. In 1984 an IRA bomb exploded in the Grand Hotel where leading members of the governing Conservative party were staying. Four people were killed in the blast and another subsequently died of their injuries. Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher narrowly escaped injury, though members of her Government were injured most notably Norman Tebbit, but none of the cabinet were killed.
The city has a large gay community and it is home to two universities, the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton. It is sometimes known as 'London by the Sea' because of its lively atmosphere and cosmopolitan nature and also because of the large number of visitors from London.
It is the home of Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.
There are several other towns throughout the world named Brighton: