Brighton has a lot more going for it than you might think – especially if you live “up north”.

For us West Midlanders it might seem a million miles away, but it’s certainly well worth the trip. In fact, this one-time fishing village is Britain’s second favourite seaside city, pulling in around eight million visitors a year.

Its rise towards its present day popularity began in the 18th century, when wealthy city dwellers travelled down from London to enjoy the fresh air and take a dip in the sea – washing away all that smog.

And when the Prince Regent stopped by he loved what he saw so much he decided to build a home in Brighton, ordering the Royal Pavilion to be built as his seaside base, perhaps explaining why the city now boasts some of the finest Regency architecture in England.

The city is also home to a Victorian hotel built in 1864 on the site previously occupied by a battery house. The Grand Hotel is still remembered by many who have never even visited Brighton, having been bombed by the IRA in 1984 in an attempt to assassinate then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the Conservative Party conference.

As we know, the “Iron lady ” survived, as did the hotel which reopened in 1984 with Mrs Thatcher in attendance.

A landmark building, The Grand stands centre stage on the vibrant seafront, making an immediate impression as you enter with its 123-step sweeping staircase. We stayed in a seaview room with a splendid outlook and a huge bed to retire to and recover from a hectic day.

But one thing that is not so grand are the restaurant prices, with starters from just under a fiver and a sirloin steak with ‘Grand’ fries, grilled plum tomato, watercress and black pepper butter for £12.95. And the classic Bakewell tart with milk ice cream was a steal at £5.25.

Food aside – the breakfast was also excellent – the hotel is in the perfect location, within easy walking distance of the best that Brighton has to offer, the Royal Pavilion, the pier, top shopping, restaurants and bars.

It is just across the road from the pebble beach and the sea. When you’ve had enough of walking you can head east on the Volks, England’s oldest electric railway, stop off at the Sea Life Centre with its sharks and seahorses, or head west for the green expanse of Hove.

A must for any visitor is a trip to The Lanes, once the heart of the old fishing town of Brighthelmstone and now one of the city’s most historic quarters – an intricate maze of twisting alleyways, with shops serving up a mix of antiques, jewellery, interior design and famous designer labels, and fabulous buildings including 400-year-old fishermen’s cottages and quaint old pubs.

Make sure you don’t miss the Royal Pavilion, which must be one of the most exotic buildings in Britain and is now home to furniture and works of art including original pieces loaned by the Queen and a magnificent display of Regency silver gilt.

And then there’s Brighton Pier, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. It’s the second busiest free tourist attraction in England, offering the South Coast’s largest permanent funfair, seaside food stalls and amusement arcades.

* The Grand, 97-99 King’s Road, Brighton, BN1 2FW, call 01273 224300, fax: 01273 224321, e-mail: reception@grandbrighton.co.uk, website: www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/the-grand.html

By Jim Walsh