Brighton

The birthplace of the English seaside, Brighton and Hove has a long history as a haven of style and hedonism. It's always attracted the fashionable and the famous, pioneers and progressives, the creative and the eccentric. And it's always in tune with the times. It's England's favourite seaside city, but it's much more than that. With fine Georgian and Regency architecture, a sparkling and impressive waterfront and the most exotic royal palace in Europe, it's a historic city with a thoroughly modern buzz.

The most fashionable beachfront in Britain, Brighton & Hove's seafront - nearly 4 miles from the Marina to Hove Lagoon - is a fun mix of traditional seaside and cool contemporary, from Victorian piers, paddling pools and beach huts to stylish cafes, modern sculpture and artists' studios.

The last fifteen years has seen many changes, and the city never stands still. The new century looks set to be just as exciting as the last three.