Brighton i360… Jaw-dropping views as far as the eye can see
Brighton is quite rightly a popular destination for South Londoners because it feels like a world away from the big smoke, without taking very long to travel there.
It’s foodie credentials are strong and a recent discover includes West Beach Café, with humongous home-made sausage rolls and steaming cups of tea a popular order, just the sustenance needed to energise you for people watching or an afternoon gazing out to sea.
I stumbled upon this charming place while waiting to embark on Brighton i360.
I’ve been past it a number of times and wondered if it was worth the time and money.
My verdict, having now been up the 162-metre tall observation platform, is that it is.
Book ahead for tickets for under 20 quid.
If jaw-dropping views as far as the eye can see are for you, it’s worth a punt.
There’s a bar on board so a glass of bubbles is a nice way to enjoy the trip, but the tower moves so slowly there’s little danger of feeling unsteady.
Surrounded by dating couples, I quickly realised that I was in the most romantic spot in Brighton, so to anyone thinking of proposing, this may just be the place.
If you doubt that a day trip will suffice in meeting your Brighton expectations, book a room at the Double Tree By Hilton Metropole Brighton, a grander, yet accessible hotel you’d struggle to find.
The hotel is as attractive inside as it is outside.
Rooms are beautifully positioned so as to maximise the sea views.
Breakfast is of a high standard, not easy in buffet-style conditions but this hotel manages to pull it off.
The acid test of decent scrambled eggs was passed with flying colours.
Families are welcomed with open arms and the location opposite the children’s playground appeals, particularly in the school holidays.
Those looking for a weekend to escape family life will find solace in the arms of the spa inside the hotel.
There’s also a lovely little pub, just behind the hotel, a must for real ale fans – The Hole In The Wall.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bshmedi-doubletree-brighton-metropole/
Back in London but still on the subject of magnificent views, take the lift up to Assembly Covent Garden’s rainforest-inspired, Italian influenced Garden Rooftop Restaurant.
Starters include goats’ cheese salad, scallops and carpaccio di bresaola, with mains including 200g grilled beef fillet, loin of pork, dover sole and risotto.
Up for a sense of adventure, sister property Victory House Wine Bar Leicester Square is around the corner.
Looking for an overnight stay, rooms at Assembly Covent Garden start at £160, keenly priced for central London.
Popular pub Prince of Peckham has teamed up with kitchen pop- up White Men Can’t Jerk and Monkey Shoulder, the 100 per cent malt whisky made for mixing to create three delicious and all new limited-edition menu items, available until mid-June.
Created using Smokey Monkey, the sweet smoky variant from Monkey Shoulder, dishes include Slow Cooked Cabrito Goat Bun, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips and a tantalising smoky watermelon cocktail, the Smokey Melon.
This cocktail will be available until September.
Prince of Peckham, 1 Clayton Road, SE15 5JA
https://princeofpeckham.co.uk/
Main pic: Picture: Brighton i360