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Before the trip
Before the trip
Ensure you have the group register and emergency contact numbers for all leaders and students
Make sure you have the tickets you need to enter with your group
Wear the official group T-shirt or hoodie for easy identification
Charge your phone fully and bring a power bank
Review the risk assessment for the day’s route and activities
Remind students to bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of light rain
Take group photos at key locations and share them with the programme WhatsApp group
Overview
Overview
Take the train from Wimbledon. The journey takes about one hour.
Leave the station and walk straight down Queen’s Road toward the sea.
On your way, notice the colourful houses and street art — Brighton is famous for them! You will arrive at the Brighton Palace Pier.
Walk along the pier and enjoy the sea view.
Can you smell the doughnuts and fish and chips? (Yes, both smells fill the air along the pier.)
What do you think the sea breeze feels like? (Cool and fresh, sometimes a bit salty.) Next, turn left and walk along the seafront.
You will see the i360 Tower in the distance — a tall glass viewing tower.
Would you like to go up and see the whole city from above? (Yes, it gives amazing views of the coast and the South Downs.) Now walk back toward the city centre and enter The Lanes.
These are old, narrow streets full of small shops and cafés.
Can you find a jewellery shop or a vintage clothes shop? (Yes, there are many of both — The Lanes are famous for them.)
Notice how busy and lively it is — this is Brighton’s heart. From The Lanes, walk to the Royal Pavilion.
Look at its beautiful domes — it looks like a palace from India!
It was built for King George IV in the early 1800s. Go inside if you have time — the rooms are very rich and colourful. Walk around the Pavilion Gardens and relax for a few minutes.
Can you hear the buskers (street musicians)? (Yes, often guitar players or singers perform near the café.)
What kind of music do they play? (Mostly pop, folk, or jazz.) Next, go to the North Laine area.
It’s full of street art, market stalls, and small cafés.
Look out for the murals on the walls — can you find one of a famous person? (Yes, there are murals of David Bowie and Freddie Mercury.) Finally, walk back toward the station.
Maybe stop for ice cream or coffee on the way — there are many choices!
Take the train back to London.
Did you enjoy the sea air and Brighton’s colourful atmosphere? (Yes, Brighton feels cheerful, creative, and full of life.)
Rough Timetable
Rough Timetable
9:00 am – Coach from London to Brighton.
10:30 am – Walk to Brighton Pier and enjoy seaside views.
11:15 am – Explore The Lanes and North Laine shops.
12:30 pm – Free time to explore the city and have lunch
14:30 pm – Visit the Royal Pavilion and gardens.
15:30 pm – Free time
4:30 pm – Head back to London by coach.
6:00 pm – Arrive back in London.
Speaking Notes for Activity Leaders
Speaking Notes for Activity Leaders
1. Arrival
1. Arrival
Hello everyone, and welcome to Brighton.
Brighton is a lively seaside city on England’s south coast, about an hour by train from London. It’s part of East Sussex and, together with Hove, officially became the city of Brighton & Hove in the year 2000. The city is famous for its creative energy, open-minded community, and strong sense of individuality. Brighton’s population is around 290,000, and it attracts millions of visitors each year. It has long been known as “London-by-the-Sea,” offering a mix of seaside charm, culture, and nightlife.
2. Brighton Palace Pier
2. Brighton Palace Pier
*Script:*
The Brighton Palace Pier is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Opened in 1899, it replaced an older structure called the Chain Pier, which was destroyed in a storm. Stretching more than 500 metres into the sea, it’s packed with fairground rides, amusement arcades, and food stalls selling classic British treats like fish and chips, candyfloss, and doughnuts. At night, the pier glows with thousands of lights, creating a magical view from the beach. The pier has also appeared in several films, including Quadrophenia (1979), which celebrates Brighton’s youth culture.
3. The Royal Pavilion
3. The Royal Pavilion
*Script:*
The Royal Pavilion is Brighton’s most distinctive landmark, created as a lavish seaside retreat for King George IV in the early 19th century. Its exterior, inspired by Indian Mughal architecture, features domes and minarets that look almost dreamlike in the English landscape. Inside, the décor follows Chinese influences, showcasing colourful, extravagant designs. The Pavilion speaks to George IV’s love of luxury and theatrical style. Over the years, it has served many purposes, including a wartime hospital for soldiers. Today, it stands as a vivid reminder of Brighton’s royal and cultural heritage.
4. The Lanes
4. The Lanes
*Script:*
The Lanes form one of the oldest parts of Brighton, known for their maze-like narrow alleys and charming historic atmosphere. As you wander through, you’ll find independent boutiques, artisan jewellers, and delightful cafés tucked into every corner. The tightly packed streets reflect the town’s 18th-century origins before it expanded into a bustling resort. Visitors often describe The Lanes as a place where you can happily get lost and discover something new at each turn. It’s a perfect area for exploring leisurely and enjoying Brighton’s artistic identity. The blend of old charm and modern creativity makes it uniquely memorable.
5. Brighton Beach & Seafront
5. Brighton Beach & Seafront
Addison's Walk is a circular footpath within the grounds of Magdalen College, Oxford, that winds around a small island in the River Cherwell. It's a picturesque and tranquil walk, with views of Magdalen Tower and Magdalen Bridge. The walk is named after Joseph Addison, a former Fellow of Magdalen College, who enjoyed walking there and wrote about landscape gardening in his newspaper, The Spectator. The complete walk is 1.5km BUT you can show students where it is on the way to the deer park
Script:
Let’s take a walk along Addison’s Walk, a beautiful path by the river. It’s named after Joseph Addison, a writer who studied here in the 1600s.
This walk was also a favourite of C.S. Lewis, the author of "The Chronicles of Narnia."
Fun fact: Lewis said he got the idea for the magical lamppost in Narnia while walking here in the fog!
6. Brighton i360
6. Brighton i360
The Brighton i360 is a futuristic 162-metre observation tower designed by the creators of the London Eye. Visitors step into a large glass viewing pod that gently rises to provide breathtaking views over the city, the South Downs, and the coastline. On particularly clear days, you may even see the Isle of Wight in the distance. The i360 has become a modern symbol of Brighton’s ambition and innovation. It offers a calm, smooth ascent that feels almost like floating. It’s one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty and layout of the whole region.
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