Hove museum and art gallery is small, but perfectly formed…read more It's not somewhere you'd make a beeline for, unless there was something of specific interest to you personally to see, but it can provide a pleasant enough distraction for an hour or so on a rainy day. It has recently been refurbished and upgraded to provide high quality temporary exhibition space. The museum is housed in one of Hove's grandest former mansions, a large Italianate house just to the west of the shopping area, half a mile from St Andrew's old church on Church Road. The highlight of the permanent collections is actually outside the museum: the Jaipur Gate. This was made for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 held in South Kensington, and moved here in 1926. It was paid for by the Maharaja of Jaipur, whose motto is inscribed on the front, in English, Sanskrit and Latin: 'where virtue is, there is victory'. It was carved by Indian craftsmen, although its design was concieved by two Englishment, and it combines both Mughal and Rajput elements. After recent conservation work, it is now in excellent condition. Inside, the ground floor provides two temporary exhibition spaces, a small shop and a tea room, which seemed very popular on my visit, and is probably worth knowing about in its own right. Upstairs are the four main areas of the permanent collection. Most important of these is the collection of early film and cinematic equipment. Brighton and Hove were important in early British film making, and a small film industry was based at Shoreham Beach in the days of silent films. The collection includes a wide selection of early film-making and projection equipment, and a small 8-seat 'cinema' where excerpts from early films and items for children are shown. The art gallery contains a handful of attractive works by European (mostly British) artists, although none are in the 'top flight' of European painting. Details of the collection are on the website (note that this covers Brighton's collection, too, which is wider ranging and more impressive). Next comes a small display of local history, which includes a small number of objects from local excavations from the bronze age to the mediaeval period, and includes the skull of a Saxon woman, important amber Bronze-age grave goods, items from a Saxon warrior burial, and pottery from a Roman villa excavated in nearby Southwick. Finally, there a lovely toy collection, displayed in an area especially designed for children, which seems very well done -the collection covers quite a wide range from the 18th to the present. The temporary collections cover local arts and crafts and, as ever with this kind of display, the quality varies a bit, although the presentation is excellently done. The shop sells cards, postcards and toys as well as small souvenir items. Entrance is free.

Whether you're visiting to see the museum's fascinating exhibits or tp sample the quaint delights…read moreof it's small but charming tea rooms you're sure to be satisfied by Hove Museum and Art gallery. I went a few months ago during a bike ride with the simple intention of grabbing a tea before heading home. Not only did I extend my order to include a slice of carrot cake and a scone but I had to take a trip round their free exhibitions including a fascinating collection of photos and extracts from Brighton's Herald Newspaper during Word War II. This is open until Jan 10th 2010 so head down soon. Of you're reading this after that date then I would imagine they've set up an equally interesting exhibition by now, as Brighton & Hove council seem to be quite skilled in such areas. If you've lived in Brighton for a while and not yet visited then you're missing out on a very educational and cost-effective excursion. I'd happily go again just for the cream tea and scones!

I had to do a review of the graffiti in Brighton- it may not always be there but whilst it is...boy…read moreis it is something to see. I love a town that hands over huge stretches of brick wall to incredibly talented street artists and let's them paint whatever they feel relevant. The graffiti on Kensington Street is some of the best in Brighton- and though they regularly change certain sections- I hope that the idea remains for as long as possible.

Brighton is most artists' dream, with plenty of artistic happenings going on at most times of the…read moreyear, and a pretty sizeable selection of art out and available for all to see. One of the pieces in this ever-changing tapestry, which I always enjoy walking past, is the graffiti all the way down Kensington Street. It seems to change a little every couple of months, not always for the better but certainly towards the more dynamic, and the tongue in cheek style is great for newbies to the genre. As free art goes, this is quite the coup for Brighton! I've always had a mixed feeling about graffiti: when it's artistic and cool, I quite like it, but I'm not a big fan of the whole tagging and quick spray things. Luckily, most of Brighton's graffiti is much more artistic than that, and the work on Kensington Street is, by and large, some of the best I've ever seen. It's always worth a little meander down, although you will have to dodge all of the people with cameras, or join in! Well worth seeing, another of Brighton's artistic highlights.

How does something that's surrounded by the sea end up catching fire?…read more Beats me too. Regardless of the 'accident' or 'sabotage' that happened in 2003, the West Pier is still a sight to behold. I heard it described as The Wreck of Loneliness on Sugar Rush and I have called it that ever since. In Autumn and Winter, waves crash fiercely around the skeleton, Grade II listed structure and starlings soar around it. In summer and spring, when the tide is out, its possible to paddle around it and see more of the magnificent structure. In short, a Brighton gem.

Constructed in 1866 and closed in 1975, this wood pier was effectively destroyed in 2003, but…read moreremains standing today as a breathtaking wood skeleton. You can see the beauty that once was when the sun is setting over the water and the birds are flocking in the thousands. Perhaps most amazing is the single untouched hut-- perhaps a ticket booth-- surrounded by charred wood. Today there is an ongoing debate whether to rebuild the pier or not. For what it's worth, I think it should be left as is. Brighton has another pier that is in "proper working order". Forces of nature started the collapse of the West Pier, and while man may have accelerated the process at various points, let nature take its course.

The Lanes are a myriad twisting complex of traffic free pedestrian streets, packed with independent…read moreshops, corporate chain shops, pubs, restaurants, art galleries, eateries, coffee shops, overpriced jewelry shops...fun to wander and indulge if you have funds to do so. There are fun some quirky vendors in the mix to make this enjoyable for the average tourists. Treat yourself, a little retail therapy is always fun.

Hadn't been here in at least 10 years…read more Shops were much better and more plentiful. Some commercial shops thrown in here and there. You could easily spend a few hours here.

So people may think I'm crazy but I booked a trip to Paris and Finland this June and made sure to…read morefly into London so I could visit pooh corner. I am a Huge EEYORE fan and last time I came to London I didn't have a chance to go and I promised myself I would come to the birthplace of my favorite character. I didn't realize how far out from the city it was but boy was it beautiful! The ride there and it's surroundings. The staff at pooh corner cafe was very sweet and helpful. My train from london to paris was a few short hours away.... So yes.....I literally flew into london for a few hours just to go to pooh corner and pooh bridge! The love for Eeyore and my best friends love for Pooh made this trip easy and fun! Best way to find it is if you visit pooh corner cage they will give you a map and tell you exactly how to get there. Once you see the sign you keep walking for a few minutes and you will find the iconic bridge. It's is BEAUTIFUL....so peaceful I could stay and relax there for a bit. Yes you are in the "100 acre woods" which is technically Ashdown forrest. It's the bridge that you see in the winnie the pooh cartoons ...the bridge that is said to be the one A.A. milne and his son a.k.a. Christopher Robin would play at. For a die hard fan this is a must do!! Happy yelping mis amigos!!

This is the ultimate gem for any Winnie the Pooh fan. - to come to Ashdown Forest and play…read morePoohsticks on Poohsticks Bridge Built in 1907 and originally called Posingford Bridge, it is considered to be the bridge on which Milne and his son first played the game. Its continued popularity led to a campaign to rebuild in the 1970s. The bridge was subsequently reopened by Christopher Robin Milne and officially renamed as Poohsticks Bridge However, continued tourist traffic necessitated a further rebuild in 1999 and Disney, who now own the rights to Winnie the Pooh and other donors funded the reconstruction to the bridge which stands there today. The walk from the nearest car park is however not the easiest with a fair slope and distance. However, for true fans, it is worth it. Visitors aiming to play Poohsticks on the bridge are requested to bring their own sticks to avoid damage to nearby trees There are now even a World Poohsticks Championships held annually in Dorchester but for true fans, Poohsticks Bridge is the only place to drop your stick into the water and rush over to the other side to see whose stick emerges first For those of you who would like to practise, here are the official rules for Poohsticks: http://www.poohsoc.org.uk/sticks/rules.html

The traditional car boot sale was something I got dragged to a lot as a child. After a half hour…read morewandering around, I was always left bored whilst my parents chatted away to fellow entrepreneurs of tabletop sales. As an adult I understand the appeal now and love the Brighton car boot. I have only made it down to the marina location once (it's a bit far out for a post Saturday night venture), but it's good to see that it is still as busy as when it was situated at the station car park. I would recommend getting their as early as possible if you want to pick up the best bargains, but you will certainly find enough on display to keep you busy no matter what time you arrive. being Brighton, you also get a lot of craft stalls with local budding individuals selling their wares and I have bought a number of nice pieces of jewelry over the years. As mentioned, there are also opportunistic food vendors dotted about, so you can grab a bite whilst you wander about. In the days of EBay and electronic shopping, it's great to still see a more traditional way of selling stuff going on. If you fancy yourself as a barterer, then don't be scared to try your luck, especially later in the day when sales are wrapping up. Certainly a great spot to pick up a bargain, or something bizarre.

A Brighton institution, the weekly car boot has been going for nearly thirty years. It used to be…read moreheld in the more picturesque car park at Brighton Train Station but was recently decamped to the top floor of the multi-storey car park at Brighton Marina. Open from 7am-2pm every Sunday, it's an absolute must for bargain hunters, browsers and vintage freaks. There's dozens of stalls and tables selling everything from modern and retro clothes to old books, records, CDs, lamps, chairs, tables, desks, bikes and bric a brac. Some of it is pure tat but look closely and you'll see some real gems too. I've bought all kinds of weird and wonderful things from here from 70s fruit bowls and glasses to a French style table and chairs. The latter cost £40 including free delivery from the stall holder so was a big scoop! In summer, it's heaving so get there early. In winter, take a brolly and be prepared for occasional showers between browsing!

Running along the eastern part of Brighton's sea-front, Volk's railway is the oldest public…read moreelectric railway in the world, still in operation. The railway was the brainchild of Magnus Volk, the son of a German watchmaker, who was born in Brighton in 1851. Early in life he acquired a fascination for electricity and made his house the first to be lit by electric light in Brighton. Meanwhile, Werner von Siemens had demonstrated the practicability of electric traction in 1879, and in 1881 a tramway in Berlin was the first to adopt this new technology. Volk wanted to bring the technology to the UK, and planned his railway line to this end, which was opened on 4 August 1883. It originally had a gauge of 2 ft, later enlarged to 2' 9, and ran for a quarter of a mile on a shingle embankment, although after sea damage, the railway was elevated on wooden trestle. The original two-rail electric system was also converted to a single, off-centre rail, which is still in use today. The line was extended to Black Rock station (close to the present-day Marina development) in 1901. The railway was taken over by Brighton Corporation after Volk's death in 1937, but was severely damaged by defences put in place during World War II. Happily, it was restored to use in 1948, and still runs the one and half miles (2km) along the sea-front, although no longer on the wooden trestle. It starts from the Aquarium terminus building near the Palace Pier: the station building is an old tram shelter from 1900. There is one intermediate station, appropriately named 'Half Way Station'. This is adjacent to the Peter Pan children's playground. The terminus is a few minutes' walk from the Marina development. Services run every 15 minutes, using attractive Victorian-style open cars to the original design (a few have glazed compartments in case of bad weather). The line follows the upper shore-line closely, with a number of level crossings at which the trains 'hoot'. Parts of the adjacent shingle are covered in colourful sedum flowers in early summer, but the slow, clackety-clack of the trains makes for a unique experience whatever the time of year. Fares are a very reasonable £1.50 single and £2.50 return for adults, 70p single and £1.20 return for children. Needless to say, the line is very popular with tourists, and children especially. Update This year (2008) is the 125th Anniversary of the railway. The celebrations will take place on Sunday 3 August - further details will appear on the website nearer the time. On August 9 the railway will be open from 10-22h and the train will be illuminated with lights to mark 125 years of running. On the first Saturday of every month the railway is offering a £1 return fare to local residents, up to September 6. You need to show a utility or Council Tax bill (as proof of residence) to get the discount.

This is a quite funny oddity, and it always surprises me that is still operating along the windy…read moreand cold sea front, especially given that it has been running for 127 years! I've been on it once, and found that besides me and my friend, everybody was either below the age of 5, or above the age of 65. That really is a clue to who and what this is for; it is a nice novelty that gives people a chance to look at the local sights and take part in a bit of history. For the money, this is probably a worthwhile thing to do, even if it does go phenominally slowly.