Originally known as Brighthelmstone back in the 16th century, Brighton was a fishing village consisting of four hundred fishermen and sixty boats. Reminders of this era can still be seen around The Lanes.

The 17th century

By the 17th century, it had grown into the largest town in Sussex, but suffered a slump when the fishing industry fell into decline and many residents lived in poverty.

The 18th century

By the 18th century the fortunes of Brighton were dramatically revived after claims by doctors that diseases could be cured by swimming in the sea. Visitors began to head down to Brighton from London and it became a popular retreat for the middle and upper classes.

Royal patronage

Among the visitors was Prince Regent (later King George IV) who built the Royal Pavilion as his holiday home. The rich continued to arrive and Brighton thrived, gaining a reputation as the hedonistic pleasure resort that it still is today.