8:30am Tuesday 2nd September 2008
By Teresa Phillips
WAY before footballers and fashion designers started showing off their flash pads in OK! magazine, there was the Prince Regent.
Brighton’s Royal Pavilion is an extension of the man who became George IV’s larger than life personality and once you step inside you feel like you’re in a different country.
‘Prinny’ was a fan of the finer things in life – entertaining, music and food.
Banquets would comprise up to 60 dishes and George loved giving his guests a tour of the kitchen.
As you’d expect, Queen Victoria was not amused by all this frippery – and the view of the sea wasn’t up to much.
The estate was sold to Brighton in 1850 for £53,000, which means that commoners like you and me can have a good nose around. The guides are very helpful too.
The sun came out after our morning visit so we spent the rest of the day on the pier – it’s free but make sure you’ve got some spare cash for rides – and the stony beach.
Log on to www.visit brighton.com Keen to feel the sand between our toes and build some castles, we spent the next day at West Wittering beach, which is several miles outside Chichester.
Pay to park on the grassy area behind the beach then grab your spot and enlist the help of passers-by to put your beach shelter up!
There’s loads of room, especially when the tide’s out and the sea is warm and inviting. Visit www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk for more details.
Our final destination of the week was Uppark, a National Trust property between Chichester and Petersfield, which reopened in 1995 after being closed for six years following a devastating fire. A short film shows how the events of that hot summer day unfolded and pays tribute to the many people who helped restore the house to its former glory.
The grounds are pretty and there are stunning views of the South Downs. On the day we visited, children could indulge in craft activities in the stables.
Visit the website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk
An ideal base for visiting this area is Butlins Bognor Regis. Prices start from £64 per person per break based on a family of four sharing a Silver self-catering apartment on a three night break in September. The resort’s Shoreline Hotel costs from £45pp per break based on a family of four (two adults and two children aged two to 14 years) sharing a Hooks Cabin on a room only basis. Prices include accommodation, all live entertainment and more than 50 free activities.
To book, call 0845 070 4730 or visit www.butlins.com
The Shoreline offers short breaks combining top quality accommodation with all the fun of a Butlins break and there are some special value for money deals this month.
September 8 to 12 - prices from £72pp per break.
Cartoon Network characters live in their interactive game show, circus acts from Latin America, acrobats from Kenya plus toddlers favourite characters including Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam are all waiting to keep you entertained at Butlins.
Live shows for all the family round off a busy day with something for everyone including rock and country fans and those that just love variety shows.
September 12 to 15 - prices from £59pp per break.
As well as all the top class entertainment for which Butlins is so famous this weekend also sees X-Factor’s Chico and Futureproof appearing live on stage.
Kids’ favourite characters from Cartoon Network have their own interactive show as does Bob the Builder who is joined by his friends Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam and mischievous Pingu in the live Character Explosion Show. Rock the Country, King Meets Queen and V-Variety are just some of the evening shows for all the family to enjoy.
Prices are based on a family of four (two adults and two children aged two to 14 years) sharing a Hook’s Cabin on a room only basis.
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