Brighton beach: Is it sandy and can I park my car near?
BRIGHTON is a popular hotspot for people looking for a nice day out by the seaside.
But is the beach sandy and are there other things to do on your day out to the coast? Here's all you need to know.
Is Brighton beach sandy?
Although the surface on Brighton beach looks like sand, it's not.
The three mile Blue Flag beach is full of pebbles - but that hasn't deterred visitors.
The coast of the south-east of England features chalk cliffs, a form of limestone, which will not break down into sand.
Brighton's stony beach is made from flint which is released from the chalk cliffs during the erosion process.
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Man-made groynes are in place on the beach to divert pebbles from the sea on to the land - stopping it from becoming a gooey limestone mud.
You may think that a pebble beach is uncomfortable, but Brighton is actually one of the best beaches to sunbathe on in the UK and is considered as one of the most beautiful and Instagrammed too.
Can I park my car near Brighton beach?
When Brighton beach is busy finding a parking spot can be a nightmare.
The Sussex town does have car parks close to the beach - but you will have to pay.
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- Metropole - £10 for 12 hours
- 1, Regency Mews - £16 for 24 hours - if you go in after 8am and go out by 6pm, you'll be paying a daytime rate of £10
- Regency Square - £18.50 for nine hours
- Churchill Square - £20 for 12 hours
- 19, Ship Street - £20 for nine hours
- The Hilton - £25 all day
- The Lanes - £27.50 for nine hours
- Brighton Centre Russell Road - £29.75 for five hours
- Chapel Street car park - £18.20 for 24 hours
One of the best options in towns across the UK is park and ride - and Brighton offers this service.
It's a great way of avoiding traffic and driving round searching for a parking spot.
Brighton's Park and Ride is located at Withdean Sports Complex, where you can park for free and buy a bus ticket into the city.
Just put the post code BN1 5JD into your satnav before starting out to be sure of finding this cheaper option.
Cheapest bus fares are available using the Brighton & Hove buses app.
You can also book a space ahead of time using the JustPark app or website.
You may be lucky and find parking for free on one of the streets by the beach.
But you should think ahead and remember that there are also residents who have their cars parked there.
If you're searching for free parking on the road make sure you check any signs in the area for restrictions.
These include times when parking is not permitted, parking permit on# and pay and display machines.
Always check for street signs before leaving your car as you don't want to return to find you've been issued a parking fine.
Also check that you're not blocking residents' access and driveways.
Brighton Beach is a popular spot for youngsters to gather there and have a day out and for families to enjoy a day by the beach.
So if you want to find a free or cheap parking spot, you'll have to go as early as possible.
Is Brighton a nudist beach?
The main beach is not a nudist beach, however there is one nearby.
Brighton Naturist Beach opened on April 1, 1980.
It is easily accessible from central Brighton, and is approximately a mile walk east of Brighton Pier towards Brighton Marina.
It is officially called Cliff Bathing Beach - but is also known as the Black Rock - and it was pretty controversial when it opened in the 1980s.
Reviews from TripAdvisor say that the area could be male dominated, but the aim is still to make everyone feel welcome.
The area is barricaded, so you cannot really spot any naked visitors from the street.
The nudist beach is clearly signposted and upon leaving the area, there is a sign which says: "You are now leaving the Naturist Beach.
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"Please reclothe. Failure to do so may be considered unacceptable by other users of the Seafront and you would therefore be committing an offence."
There is also free parking in the Marina multi-storey - but beware of time restrictions.