Hove is a quaint English seaside town, long overshadowed by its bigger, brasher neighbouring town, Brighton. Even though the two towns joined to form a city in 2001, Hove has remained the quieter and more refined sibling. It is more genteel with subtle charms that are best appreciated by strolling on foot. You won’t find the beachside bars, funfairs pier that is customary for seaside towns.
Hove Lagoon on the seafront is a sports centre for popular watersports such as sailing, wakeboarding, and windsurfing. Adjacent to Hove Lagoon is a string of beachfront mansions called ‘Millionnaire’s Row’ whose famous residents included stars like Heather Mills, Paul McCartney, Adele, and the DJ, Fatboy Slim.
Overlooking the lagoon is an unassuming café with a similarly star-studded past. It was run as a vegan restaurant by Heather Mills before Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim) relaunched it as the “Big Beach Café”. Today it has a more casual vibe with a somewhat underwhelming assortment of inexpensive burgers, toasted sandwiches, and rolls.
The seafront esplanade towards the east is a delightful promenade with a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured beach huts. Ranging from simple storage units to chic designer bolt holes, these coveted little beach shacks often go for more than £30,000.
If you are wondering why anyone would spend that much on a shack instead of just sitting on the beach you probably don’t know that lying on a beach at Brighton or Hove is like lying on a cobbled street. As for taking a dip in the English Channel, take it from someone who has lived in the area for 19 years and only found the courage to swim four times!
Another unique feature of Hove is Hove Lawns. These large expanses of lawns run along the esplanade for about a kilometre and are extremely popular during the summer months when they are strewn with families picnicking, youngsters playing spirited games of soccer or Frisbee, and the ever-present canoodling couples.
A 9-metre high memorial to Edward VII, The Peach Statue, is located at the eastern end of Hove Lawns. Even though there is no official sign, the statue serves as a boundary between Brighton and Hove.
While there are numerous roads leading away from the coast, if you backtrack to Brunswick Square you will find a stunning row of four-story regency homes that sweep around the manicured central horseshoe-shaped gardens. Built in the 1820s, this was the first housing estate in Hove and the model was repeated in the equally grand Palmeira Square, just a few streets down from Brunswick Square.
The busy thoroughfare of Western Road spills out from Brunswick Square with unexpected treats like Le Cave a Fromage, a palace of fragrant cheeses and charcuterie with more than 300 French and English cheeses in stock, and ‘i Gigi’, the stylish homeware store that has a delightful upstairs café.
On the main drag, you will also find Graze, arguable the finest restaurant in Hove. The tour-de-force of this gorgeous little venue is its 7-course, seasonal tasting menu. The excellent 3-course version for just £45 is an affordable alternative. Aged rib-eye steak and dripping chips is another dish that won’t disappoint you.
On Western Road heading west to Palmeira Square, you can see the elegantly designed floral clock and Church Road, another commercial artery of Hove bustling with activity. Despite the proliferation of real estate agents and solicitors offices there are many gems to be found like The Book Nook, a wonderful independent children’s book store that holds regular events and readings. Nearby is the Small Batch Coffee café, an Australian-owned establishment that serves a fine flat wine.
If you are a cricket fan, head north to Britain’s oldest cricket club, the Sussex County Cricket Club celebrating its 175th anniversary. If you are looking for some peace and quiet you can seek refuge nearby in the formal gardens and lawns of the tranquil haven of St. Ann’s Well Gardens.
Although not within walking distance, one more establishment in Hove that is worth visiting is the quirky pub, George Payne, featuring chandeliers made out of teacups, a garden of summer playhouses, and a communal knitting basket.
Although not within walking distance, one more establishment in Hove that is worth visiting is the quirky pub, George Payne, featuring chandeliers made out of teacups, a garden of summer playhouses, and a communal knitting basket.
It serves seriously good pub food and in 2013 it was named the Best Turnaround Pub in the Great British Pub Awards. Even though it is exactly the type of cheeky and eclectic venue you would expect to find in the streets of Brighton, surprisingly it is here in deepest darkest Hove that you will find it, hidden among a maze of residential streets.
Hove Laptop Repairs is smack in the middle of Hove and offers an excellent laptop repair service.
Their details are below including directions from the Hove Town Hall.
No comments:
Post a Comment