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Tell someone you’re off to Brighton for a Winter break and they might think you’re mad. It isn’t warm this time of year, so swimming’s out. But one of the lovely things about Brighton, is that the sea always looks magnificent behind the turquoise bollards along the seafront.

And the pubs and restaurants and arcades are still open in the winter. And the locals are still here. Trains from London to Brighton are relatively cheap at £15.50 return, off peak – and £10.25 if you have a rail card. Commuters might hate Southern – But they’re good for everyone else most of the time.

The Food For Friends vegetarian restaurant is excellent – with such delights as a Spiced Cashew, Smoked Tofu, Pear and Grape salad – really quite delicious.

The Mesmeriser pub has live swing band playing and people dancing. The dancers dance there regularly and are very good.

Jo Tomlin, the lovely owner of the Big Bead Boutique on 12 Dyke Road has a lovely shop.

For anyone who can’t read what the necklace says – it says ‘I LIKE TRAINS.’ Pretty cool huh.

Sadly, the Volks Railway, Britain’s oldest public electric railway which opened in 1883 only runs in the warmer months. But will be worth coming back for in the summer.

The trip was sponsored by Visit Brighton and new budget seafront hotel Umi. The hotel was ideally located, although there is some noise from a club next door at night and the rooms are large so can get chilly this time of year. The beds were very comfortable indeed. The opera-themed restaurant with live performances was certainly different and we enjoyed dinner by candlelight – even though the food in the restaurant is not excellent quality.

A post by @aladyinlondon on the same trip.