The South Downs are a 379-square-mile range of chalk hills stretching from Beachy Head to Winchester, designated a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966. A 161km national trail, the South Downs Way, follows old droving trails across this chalk ridge and through the undulating chalk valleys. With signposted routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, this beautiful stretch of countryside is easily accessed by public transport from Brighton.
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Daily
Brighton's firework spectacular at Hove's Nevill Sports Ground promises 25 minutes of colourful and noisy explosions choreographed to a musical soundtrack. This year's event is organised in conjunction with the Argus Appeal.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Sussex Sharks play their home games at Hove and Arundel.
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Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Preston Manor - a perfectly preserved Edwardian manor house open to the public - has over 20 rooms to explore across four floors. It feels as if the family have just popped out and you are snooping around their home.
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Apr - Sep 2013; not Mon (annual)
Hickstead's Derby Meeting is the most exciting competition in British showjumping, drawing enthusiasts from throughout the country. The highlight of these four days is the Derby, when riders pit their wits against a fiendishly difficult and notoriously challenging course.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Dating back to 1907, Hickstead's Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) welcomes the elite of many equestrian disciplines. There are competitions in everything from international show jumping and dressage to the very best of national showing.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Hove hosts a film festival with a difference. The 3-day Oska Bright Film Festival, at The Old Market, features screenings and film-making workshops, solely dedicated to people with learning difficulties who wish to enter the wonderful world of film-making.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Preston Park covers 63 acres, with a formal rose garden, six bowling greens and 12 tennis courts, plus a children's playground, a croquet lawn, a garden for the blind and a small pond with stepping stones.
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Daily
Brighton Fashion Week brings cutting-edge local designers, press and fashionistas to Hilton Brighton Metropole and Brighton Corn Exchange for catwalk shows and a free fashion emporium. The annual event celebrates the diversity of Brighton fashion.
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May - Jun 2013 (annual)
Forget the catwalk - it's the sort of models you make and operate that are on show at Modelworld at the Brighton Centre. Roaming robots, miniature railways and radio-controlled cars are to be found alongside demonstrations and a huge modelling workshop.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Ranging from textile arts to beading, the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts Show at the Brighton Centre displays a huge array of new and established crafts. Enthusiasts can also take advantage of informative workshops and talks.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Brighton Toy and Model Museum houses the priceless tin-plate O-Gauge working railway, along with 10,000 other exhibits.
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Daily; not Mon or Sun
The North Laine shopping area is the reason Brighton has a reputation for quirky owner-run shops. With outlets selling everything from percussion instruments to crystals, juggling balls and Latin American furniture, shopping here is an integral part of Brighton's appeal.
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Daily
Komedia is a popular arts venue in the North Laine cultural district in Brighton. Divided into two areas, Komedia Upstairs presents theatre, cabaret, music and children's shows, while Komedia Downstairs is home to the Krater Comedy Club.
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Daily
One of the most anticipated mountain festivals, The Banff Mountain Film Festival sets off on a world tour, visiting 30 different countries. Catch it at the Komedia Club, Brighton for some jaw-dropping and thought-provoking features.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Screamers is Brighton's monthly gay comedy night, often featuring Tina C, the country & western drag star who introduces a star-studded bill.
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Jan 2013 (monthly)
Brighton's biggest gay club, Revenge is an award-winning venue in a superb location that packs out weekly with a variety of nights.
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Daily
Opened on World Book Day in March 2005, the Jubilee Library in Brighton sets a green example by running only on renewable energy sources. The Sound and Vision area houses an impressive collection of world cinema and music.
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Daily
Brighton Dome's Corn Exchange is again a hive of creativity with Made, Brighton's Design and Craft Fair. One hundred contemporary designers and craftsmen showcase their handiwork and sell their wares directly to the public. Textiles, jewellery, ceramics and more are on show.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Fresh on the heels of Edinburgh Fringe is the annual Brighton Comedy Festival, Brighton's own homage to all things funny. All three venues of the Brighton Dome join the fun - the Corn Exchange, Concert Hall and Pavilion Theatre.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
More than 300 bands perform at The Great Escape Festival this year. Taking place over three days at 30 venues across Brighton, the music festival is an annual highlight in the city's cultural calendar.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Brighton Science Festival brings a range of shows to quirky venues, from libraries to pubs, right across the city. From demonstrations and talks to hands-on family days out, it promises to be a celebratory fortnight of science.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Over 700 naked, body-painted and scantily-clad cyclists turn out for the annual World Naked Bike Ride in Brighton, protesting against climate change and the tyranny of the automobile. Motorists stuck in traffic jams may get more than they bargained for...
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Jun 2013 (annual)
A new addition to Brighton's bustling calendar of annual events, the Brighton Marathon is the first English marathon to be held outside the capital. Benefitting from a beautiful seaside setting, it's already attracted interest from sports fans internationally.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
More than 25 family, music and literary events make up the Clifton Montpelier Powis Festival in Brighton. Run by the community, the literary talks, choir, orchestra and theatrical performances take place at St Nicholas and Saint Michael's and All Angels churches.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
For two weekends in June and July, 70 beautiful private gardens and 16 trails are open to the public, for Brighton's Garden Gadabout scheme. The event raises money for The Sussex Beacon, a clinical care centre for HIV sufferers.
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Jun 2013 (various dates)
The annual Brighton Early Music Festival takes place in various venues across Brighton and Hove and as far afield as Lewes and Kempton. Lasting 17 days, it leaves plenty of time to mull over this year's theme - ritual.
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Oct - Nov 2013 (annual)
Disciples of chrome and leather descend on Brighton's seafront from the original Ace Café (a haven for motorcyclists throughout the 1950s and 1960s) on London's North Circular. Around 40,000 sparkling motorcycles get involved.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Celebrating the winter solstice's longest night of the year, Brighton's annual Burning The Clocks includes a lantern parade that illuminates the darkness of winter. Many of the paper lanterns are burnt too, on the beach next to Madeira Drive.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Every year, venues across Brighton play host to the annual arts festival and its accompanying fringe. The fringe festival continues to expand, taking in everything from cabaret to comedy, classical concerts and club nights, theatre and exhibitions.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival celebrates the best of food and drink in Sussex. Local delicacies are the star of the show, with special events taking place across Brighton and Hove including markets, demonstrations and competitions.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Brighton Pride takes over the town for a week in summer, culminating in a flamboyant parade from the seafront to Preston Park and street parties on St James's St. It is now the biggest free Pride festival in the UK.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Every May, Brighton welcomes opera, comedy, readings, screenings and theatre to its myriad performance venues for the three-week-long Brighton Festival. This year's guest director is Aung San Suu Kyi, whose motto for the event is 'use your liberty to promote ours'.
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May 2013 (annual)
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is situated in the city's cultural heart, opposite the Royal Pavilion. Inside, it boasts fine collections of fashion, art and design and an impressive display of Art Deco and Art Nouveau items and design.
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Daily; not Mon
Celebrate Christmas at The Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Fairytale characters welcome visitors, who can wind their way through the palace's surreal splendor before meeting the big man himself. Father Christmas has a gift for every child that visits him. Advance booking is recommended.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
Just behind Brighton's seafront, The Royal Pavilion rises like a mirage of Eastern exoticism. Inspired by India's Mughal architecture, the Pavilion is set in lush gardens, and the ornate interior features gilded dragons, carved palm trees and imitation bamboo staircases.
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Daily
For those who like it hot, Brighton's Fiery Food UK festival returns to the city's Victoria Gardens. Expect a huge variety of chilli-related products and foods on stalls, as well as live music, comedy and the all-important chilli-eating contest.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Where there's a festival there's a fringe. Brighton Comedy Fringe runs alongside the Brighton Comedy Festival but is perhaps even more outlandish. In the intimate Upstairs at Three and Ten see Edinburgh highlights, checked out by the organisers. It'll be a gas!
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Oct - Nov 2013 (annual)
At Brighton's massive Sea Life Centre, visitors can stroll through the underwater viewing tunnels while sharks cruise above and below and get close to watery creatures at the touch pools. The aquarium highlights issues like the destructive impact of climate change.
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Daily
The Volk's Railway can carry up to 40 passengers for about a mile along Brighton beach and is a lovely way to get to the Marina from the centre of town.
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Apr - Sep 2013 (annual)
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