The weather in Brighton and Hove is quite unpredictable but generally winters are cold and wet, and summers are comfortably warm with frequent showers. July and August are the warmest months, while January and February are the coldest. However, temperatures do not usually drop below 32°F (0°C) in winter. The best times to visit Brighton are spring (May and June) and autumn (September and October).

Brighton and Hove has excellent rail connections from all over the country; taking the train there from London Waterloo takes about an hour. There is an excellent network of frequent bus services for getting around the city, and taxis are also available 24 hours a day. Cycle lanes throughout Brighton and Hove make cycling a quick and safe travel option. The Brighton and Shoreham airports make the city easily accessible.

English is the official language, though visitors will be astonished by the variety of regional accents.

The currency is the pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks. Travellers cheques are accepted in all areas frequented by tourists; they are best taken in Pounds Sterling to avoid additional charges.

Nightlife in Brighton and Hove is exceptional! This exciting seaside escape, only an hour from London, is a vibrant social hub year-round. With plenty of great restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs, the party just keeps on rolling. During the day, and for a great 'sundowner', head straight for Gemini Lounge and Beach Bar in the waterfront's Kings Road Arches; the laid-back and very popular Gemini's is an excellent spot to kick things off. Another early evening must is Ali-Cats, an underground bar on East Street, which shows free classic and indie-type movies on projector screens from just before 6pm. The Hanover area has a great selection of pubs. Back in the Arches, the Honey Club is a cool late night venue, but not as cool as the Beach Club which has a more relaxed vibe. Both feature international and house DJs mixing everything from 70s funk to present day club anthems. So, put those party shoes on and head into Brighton for the time of your life!

Mention shopping in Brighton and the first thing that springs to mind is 'The Lanes!' And for good reason - the Lanes have been operational in Brighton since the 17th century and today host an assortment of boutiques, antique shops, jewellers and book stores, as well as a few cafés and pubs. Here visitors can find anything from kites, tribal textiles and hand-made crafts to vintage shoes or funky fashion accessories. On East Street, near the end of the Lanes, top-end retailers such as Jigsaw and French Connection can be found trading popular, brand name clothing and accessories. In the centre of town, the Churchill Square Shopping Centre offers a selection of more affordable, high-street outlets such as H&M. There are also various clothing, sports and home-ware shops to enjoy along North Street and Dyke Road. The beachfront's Kings Road Arches are home to a selection of shops and galleries featuring original painting and sculptures produced by talented local artists, and North Laine has a huge collection of record shops. For more arts, crafts and collectables visit the Snoopers Paradise flea market in the North Laine, or the market held at Brighton train station each Sunday morning.

Local time in the United Kingdom is GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).