The Diary Room

[canadian_turtle]

I'll be going to Brighton either this Sunday or next to make use of my Art Pass before it runs out at the end of the month and was wondering if any of the people who went a few weeks ago have tips for me for free/cheap things to do?

I've been before and went to the museums (Hove Museum & Art Gallery / The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery), walked along the Pebble Beach and Brighton Pier and shopped in the North Laine and the shopping center. This time I'm planning to visit The Royal Pavilion, the beach again and hopefully do/see some things I missed last time. So anything not listed above that you guys know of would be much appreciated.

I also hope that going on a Sunday doesn't mean I'll miss out on a lot (shops in particular!) as all my Saturdays in July are unfortunately already booked up.

Thanks, guys!

[prettyxcool]

It's good fun Prettyxcool.
Definitely recommend. But u can guarantee u will get any tickets for the show courts.
I Should add centre court is £10 on returns
And do bear in mind u have to p*y for these tickets and que for gate in cash

We were number 5915 in que and didn't think we would get in. But we did

Thanks for all the info! I will have to make some time .....

[McG]

Happy 4th of July to all our American Fmukers!

[Diane65]

I'll be going to Brighton either this Sunday or next to make use of my Art Pass before it runs out at the end of the month and was wondering if any of the people who went a few weeks ago have tips for me for free/cheap things to do?

I've been before and went to the museums (Hove Museum & Art Gallery / The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery), walked along the Pebble Beach and Brighton Pier and shopped in the North Laine and the shopping center. This time I'm planning to visit The Royal Pavilion, the beach again and hopefully do/see some things I missed last time. So anything not listed above that you guys know of would be much appreciated.

I also hope that going on a Sunday doesn't mean I'll miss out on a lot (shops in particular!) as all my Saturdays in July are unfortunately already booked up.

Thanks, guys!

You will have the added bonus of glorious sunshine We spent quite a lot of time in The Pavilion which is not only stunning but how things are made is just so intriguing (I don't want to give to much away as the audio guide will fill you in and it would spoil it for you) and it brings history to life, he was a bit of a cad George IV certainly not like father like son.
You must b*y some chocolate from www.montezumas.co.uk its just divine, innovative British chocolate.

After that we just meandered along the Laines, beach, pier and generally had a lovely time. Sorry not much more freebies as spent so lone in The Pavilion. Have a fun day

[canadian_turtle]

I'll be going to Brighton either this Sunday or next to make use of my Art Pass before it runs out at the end of the month and was wondering if any of the people who went a few weeks ago have tips for me for free/cheap things to do?

I've been before and went to the museums (Hove Museum & Art Gallery / The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery), walked along the Pebble Beach and Brighton Pier and shopped in the North Laine and the shopping center. This time I'm planning to visit The Royal Pavilion, the beach again and hopefully do/see some things I missed last time. So anything not listed above that you guys know of would be much appreciated.

I also hope that going on a Sunday doesn't mean I'll miss out on a lot (shops in particular!) as all my Saturdays in July are unfortunately already booked up.

Thanks, guys!

You will have the added bonus of glorious sunshine We spent quite a lot of time in The Pavilion which is not only stunning but how things are made is just so intriguing (I don't want to give to much away as the audio guide will fill you in and it would spoil it for you) and it brings history to life, he was a bit of a cad George IV certainly not like father like son.
You must b*y some chocolate from http://www.montezumas.co.uk its just divine, innovative British chocolate.

After that we just meandered along the Laines, beach, pier and generally had a lovely time. Sorry not much more freebies as spent so lone in The Pavilion. Have a fun day

Thank you, I will certainly have a look at the chocolate place!

[steve9872]

Google are celebrating the Roswell anniversary with a nice little game.

[ejwrank]

This probably won't be of interest to many but wanted to mention that husband and I happened to see the inside of the most splendid former cinema last week. We went up to the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn, North London and before our play started we took a walk down Kilburn High Road. We got to the old cinema which we figured would be like most of that vintage -- derelict and boarded up, but no, it was open. We wandered in to discover the most amazing -- the most enormous-- the most gigantic former cinema that was still resplendent and amazingly decorated and brought back to life. It is now used as a church but in its heyday it could seat 4000 in the cinema with room for another 4000 which made it the biggest cinema in the UK and one of the biggest in the world. There was a glorious real marble horseshoe shaped staircase and I read later that Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe and loads of others performed there. The man who showed us around has been with the venue since the 1950s and he is the restorer of the Wurlitzer organ which remained in all its glory in the original spot in the cinema. He also restores other cinema organs all over the UK and is very much an expert.

Anyway -- it turns out that by not giving this building a Grade 1 listing but only a Grade 2* listing it has been saved. No one would have wanted to take on a Grade 1 building as there are so many restrictions but being a Grade2* meant they could get a tenant and use if for something else (it was also bingo hall at one point so none of the original seats are there which is a great shame but the room is still one to marvel at). I read later that Queen Mary used to go to films/shows there as she preferred it to the West End (true or maybe not but it is a nice story). It was called the Gaumont State Cinema and is officially open to the public on Wednesday afternoons. We just lucked out with finding it but it is certainly worth a visit if you're in the vicinity.


http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1478
http://www.brent-heritage.co.uk/gaumont.htm

[prettyxcool]

Thanks ejwrank! I am interested. I love anything historical and it sounds like a fabulous place. I will definitely have a look if I am in the area.

[eumenides]

What a shame the Gaumont wasn't open when I lived a few streets away from it ! Thanks for the information ejwrank, a special trip is in order.

[andrews]