Queen Victoria

The Sussex connection to Queen Victoria runs deeper than most people realise. Brighton became her seaside escape, and the Royal Pavilion - that extraordinary Indo-Gothic confection near the seafront - is where she spent precious time away from court formality. It's not a single monument you visit so much as a thread running through Brighton's entire character, visible in street names, plaques, and the sheer ambition of Victorian architecture that still dominates the town centre.

Victoria's influence shaped Brighton from a modest fishing village into a proper resort destination. Walk down the lanes near the seafront and you'll spot the places where her presence still echoes - the royal connections embedded in the fabric of the town itself. History enthusiasts will find plenty to unpick here; families might engage more with the Royal Pavilion itself, which is genuinely spectacular and worth a couple of hours.

If you're camping at Pegs and Pitches or Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - both within a mile or so - you're perfectly positioned to explore this Victorian legacy without much effort. Even Chalky Downs, a couple of miles out, puts you within easy reach. Brighton's not just about the pier and the beach. The Georgian and Victorian quarters reward proper wandering, and understanding Victoria's role in making it fashionable adds real depth to the experience. Allow a morning to soak it in properly rather than rushing between spots.