ABSTRACT

Brighton only became a centre of some importance in the eighteenth century. Initially a small fishing port and a point of departure for France, it was to develop in the Regency period as a playground for the gentry. From that beginning and given the alleged healthy properties of its seaside location and climate, Brighton became an early tourist and leisure resort. The Gentleman's Magazine reported as early as 1776:

Brighton is a small ill-built town, situated on the sea coast, at present greatly resorted to in the summer season by persons labouring under various diseases, for the benefit of sea bathing and drinking sea water; and by the gay and polite on account of the company which frequent it at this season ... '