Armchair Traveler: Brighton (UK)

Category : Lifestyle/Entertainment

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. jaunt / dʒɔnt / (n.) – a short trip that’s done for fun
    Example:

    I’m excited about my weekend jaunt to the beach with my family.


  2. smidgen / ˈsmɪdʒ ən / (n.) – a small amount of something
    Example:

    Please add a smidgen more sugar to my coffee.


  3. bustling / ˈbʌs lɪŋ / (adj.) – busy, noisy, and having a lot of activities
    Example:

    On weekends, this street turns into a bustling night market. It’s filled with food stalls and gift shops.


  4. be in for a treat / bi ɪn fər ə trit / (idiom) – to be sure to experience something good, fun, or enjoyable
    Example:

    You’re in for a treat—we’re taking you to a spa tomorrow!


  5. swarm / swɔrm / (n.) – a large group of something, such as insects, birds, etc., that are moving together
    Example:

    A swarm of bees attacked John when he accidentally hit their beehive.


Article

Read the text below.

Brighton might just be the favorite destination for Londoners on a weekend jaunt. Partly, that’s because it’s so close — just a smidgen over an hour from London’s Victoria station to Brighton station. Once you’re there, there’s the glorious bustling Brighton Pier, the open-air restaurants in The Lanes, and the Royal Pavilion.


Brighton Pier is where you’ll find the crowds. It opened in its present form just before the turn of the 20th century and is still going strong. You’ll be surprised at how many attractions they’ve packed into its amusement park area, around 500 meters out from the beach. Kids will love the trampolines and the bouncy castle, but don’t forget the many rides for adults.


After the pier, stroll along the seafront to enjoy the sea air. Visit the Upside Down House for the upside-down photos you know you want to upload to your Instagram.


Now, it’s time for a visit to the Royal Pavilion. It was the seaside palace for two British kings and a queen before it was sold to Brighton in 1850. Since then, it has become one of the city’s most-loved tourist attractions. From the outside, it looks like a jumble of styles, including from India and China. Enter and be dazzled by its huge banquet room, royal bedrooms and reception rooms. It’s an eye-opening look at how British royals used to live.


Finally, if you’re visiting in winter then you’re in for a treat. Swarms of hundreds of thousands of starlings, called “murmurations,” fly to the piers in Brighton. You can see their brilliant displays from the seafront — one more thing that makes Brighton so special. (T)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • According to the article, you’ll find an amusement park in Brighton Pier that’s packed with many attractions that visitors can enjoy. Would you go to a faraway country or city just to visit its amusement parks? Why or why not? Which place in Brighton are you most interested to visit? Discuss.
  • The amusement park in Brighton Pier has trampolines and a bouncy castle for kids. It also has rides that adults can enjoy. If you could design an amusement park, what would it look like? What kind of rides would you put in it? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Swarms of starlings fly to the piers in Brighton and tourists can see their brilliant displays from the seafront. Would you visit another country just to see the animals that live there? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Tourists visiting Brighton in winter are in for a treat because of the starlings that fly to the piers. This is what makes visiting Brighton special. In your country, is there any place that tourists can enjoy during winter? If so, what’s special about this place? If not, when do you think is the best time for tourists to visit your country (ex. summer, spring)? Why? Discuss.
Category : Lifestyle/Entertainment