Rugby World Cup 2015: Brighton & Hove (Brighton Community Stadium)
The Rugby World Cup is set to kick off on September 18th, so with just a few weeks to go Centurion is offering some help and advice on hotels, restaurants and nightlife within the cities picked to host the matches.
Eleven cities across England and Wales have been selected to host the Rugby World Cup 2015, and this month we've picked Brighton as our place of interest. Home to the Brighton Community Stadium, known as The Amex, the Sussex based stadium has a 30,750 capacity and was constructed at a cost in excess of £120 million.
If you're looking for places to stay, eat or go out, we've put together a short guide below to Brighton & Hove, to help celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2015.
Matches
Saturday 19th September - South Africa v Japan - 16.45
Sunday 20th September - Samoa v USA - 12.00
Top Places to Stay
The Courtlands Hotel (1.2 miles from the Stadium)
This traditionally built hotel is located just a 2 minute walk from the seafront and sports an award-winning table d'hote restaurant and free WiFi. Nick's Place serves European cuisine as well as afternoon teas and traditional Sunday lunch. The hotel is located just a 10 minute walk from Hove Rail Station and close to Brighton's Churchill Square Shopping Centre.
Lansdowne Place self-catering (1.5 miles from the Stadium)
If you prefer to self-cater during your stay, Lansdowne Place provides a fully furnished apartment with a terrace and free WiFi. The apartment comprises a living room with a flat-screen TV, a DVD player and an iPod docking station, as well as a well-equipped kitchen with an outdoor and indoor dining area. A variety of cafés, supermarkets and restaurants are located in the surrounding area to include Brighton's Royal Pavilion and the Victoria Gardens just 0.6 miles away.
The Grand Brighton (2.1 miles from the Stadium)
Built in a Renaissance style, the Grand Brighton is situated on Brighton's famous seafront, just 10 minutes walk from Brighton Pier. The hotel offers a luxurious Spa run by experienced and professionally trained therapists to provide the perfect relaxation retreat and there's a modern air-conditioned gym on the first floor. The cocktail bar boasts uninterrupted views of the seafront whilst guests can also enjoy excellent seafood in the GB1 restaurant. Just 5 minutes walk from The Lanes shopping streets.
Top places to eat
The Coal Shed
Located at 8 Boyces Street, the Coal Shed offer a mixture of dining options to suit all tastes, whether you are looking a formal sit down meal or a more laid back lunch with friends. The restaurant specialises in locally sourced and sustainable meat and fish dishes accompanied by an inventive wine list including over 50 reds, 20 whites and a great selection of champagne and fine sparkling wines.
English's of Brighton
Located at 29-31 East Street, English's is one of the South's leading independent seafood restaurants and oyster bars offering a mix of classical favourites and modern seafood dishes from friendly and attentive staff. The restaurant offers a choice of areas in which to dine to include a heated al fresco terrace with views over the bustling Brighton town.
The Lion & Lobster
Located at 24 Sillwood Street, the Lion and Lobster is a popular, unpretentious pub popular with locals and visitors alike, serving great food all day long. The pub consists of a warren of dark rooms and levels including two shaded 'internal' roof terraces. The menu offers a wide selection of popular pub dishes with most mains around £10 or less and serves as an excellent place for rugby fans to relax and wind down after a match.
Top places to drink
The Fishbowl
The Fishbowl has a fierce attraction which keeps people returning to its doors. Thanks to its raucous first floor shindigs, chipper happy hours and vintage appeal, it appeals to a wide selection of people looking for an entertaining and relaxing night within cool and quirky surroundings - the drinks are affordable too.
Molly Molone's
Located on 57, West Street, this bar is well worth stumbling across on a night out in Brighton, in fact, once you've entered its doors you'll find it difficult to leave! Voted as the fourth best pub in Brighton by reviewers on Trip Advisor, there's live music at the weekends until 4am and an excellent selection of beers.
The Lord Nelson Inn
Located at 36 Trafalgar Street, The Lord Nelson offers traditional charm and Victorian features with two fireplaces creating an intimate and comfortable setting in which to enjoy superb food, excellent local ales and fine wines. There's also a large conservatory area and garden to enjoy sunny days - at night this pub becomes a haven for locals and newcomers looking for a relaxed and informal night out. Voted #14 on Trip Advisor.
The Mash Tun
Located at 1 Church Street in a highly popular area of Brighton, this highly popular pub appeals to a variety of people - whether it's after work drinks, pre-drinks on a Saturday night or chilling out on a Sunday. The interior is tired but it sports an amazing atmosphere in the summer months and serves as an amazing spot to watch the world go by and unwind after a busy week.
Getting There & Away
Walking
If you live within a reasonable distance of the Amex, it is advised that you walk to avoid adding to the congestion caused around match days. There are several safe and well lit footpaths approaching the stadium which make access on foot easy.
Cycling
The stadium is equipped with ample covered and secure cycle parking close by, while new cycle paths to the stadium from both Lewes and Brighton make it easy for cyclists to get to and from matches.
Buses
There are a wide range of bus routes direct to the Amex. For fixtures at the Amex outside of the Championship league programme, your match ticket will indicate whether free travel is included or not, so please be sure to check before making travel arrangements. There is also a new Match Day Bus Service in association with Seagulls Travel whereby supporters are now able to enjoy the peace of mind of a guaranteed seat and pick up time, from as little as £3.26 a match.
Trains
Falmer Station is adjacent to the Amex Stadium North concourse and it is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the platform to the stadium.
Disabled access
All of the available travel options are fully accessible to disabled supporters. The trains and buses are equipped to carry wheelchairs, and you will be given priority parking at the park and ride sites. There are a limited number of disabled parking spaces available at the ground itself which can be pre booked.
Useful websites
- www.rugbyworldcup.com
- www.booking.com
- www.visitbrighton.com
- www.theguardian.com
- www.designmynight.com
- www.tripadvisor.co.uk
- www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk