Cheap Day Out: Brighton

Today I went to Brighton to visit one of my friends. Brighton is a city of temptation if ever there was one, with the Laines, the seafront and an array of delightful restaurants and cafés. You could quite easily spend a fortune in a day trip to Brighton so here are some tips and recommendations on how to have a great time without maxing out your overdraft. 

Dos Sombreros:

I arrived in Brighton at about lunch time so we had a bit of a wander around until we stumbled upon this place. Dos Sombreros serves tasty Mexican food at a very reasonable price, though the decorations were a bit cliché, the food was delicious and they offered a lunch time menu that was half the cost. I had a large chicken fajita served with tortillas and salsa for just £6.

I LOVED their business cards too,
 what a great design.

There was a wide variety of choices to eat and drink and the staff were friendly and laid back, it was a great place to sit and have a catch up over some food.

Beyond Retro:

Beyond Retro: Vintage Clothing Store

After refuelling on some great food, we headed off down the Laines for a spot of shopping. Beyond Retro is a fantastic shop for second hand vintage and retro clothing, they literally stock everything - hats (fedoras, boaters, cloches), shoes (including a wide selection of Doc Martens and Converse), men's & ladies' clothes from all decades of history. If you want to create a truly unique chic look, this is the place to go.

The prices are very reasonable too and quite competitive with high street brands. It's like a much more superior and larger version of the Urban Renewal project by Urban Outfitters. 

The staff are friendly and helpful and all have a great sense of style too, so if vintage clothing is your thing then this is a must visit shop.

You can't miss it - It's bright yellow and huge!

Blackbird Tearooms:

After several hours of trawling the Laines in the sun, we began to get thirsty and my friend recommended a great little tearoom that she knew of called Blackbird. We popped in for a pot of tea and a scone and chilled out in the garden terrace. 

Homemade scones with fresh jam and clotted cream
are one of the many pleasures at Blackbird Tearooms

Blackbird has that great vintage style to it with mismatching chinaware and tarnished old tins and tea strainers. There is a wide choice of seating, with two floors indoors and the outside terrace. All of which is beautifully decorated. 

Quirky vintage items decorate the outside as well
 as the inside of Blackbird.

The staff are quick and attentive and the food is magnificent. Large slabs of homemade cakes and scones bigger than your fist that melt in the mouth. My friend and I both had a cream tea which came to a very reasonable £6 and left us feeling entirely satiated.

They also have an extensive list of loose leaf teas in stock including Assam, Darjeeling, English Breakfast, Chamomile, Jasmine and many others. This is a must visit spot for all tea connoisseurs.

A perfectly brewed cup of Assam tea: A large selection of
 teas are available.

Brighton Pavilion:

If it is your first visit to Brighton, then visiting the Pavilion is a must but be prepared to come away green with envy. The décor inside will have you clamoring to renovate your home ASAP. However, tickets can be quite expensive. An adult ticket to the Pavilion costs £11 per person. 

If you are visiting Brighton with the intention of sightseeing, then I recommend going by train. The train companies have set up a rewards promotion which offers 2 for 1 to attractions all over the country as long as you travel by train and show a valid ticket. (For more information visit Days Out Guide) This is a great money saver as you end up paying half the price if you split it with a friend.

Visit the Days Out Guide for information on 2 for 1 ticket prices to
many of the UK's top attractions, including Brighton Pavilion.

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