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TEXT & ILLUSTRATIONS ADAPTED FROM "AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE"
BY THE KINGSCLIFFE SOCIETY

A   ROYAL RESORT

The streets to the East of the Palace Pier sprang up between the 1780s and 1870s as the little fishing town of Brighthelmston, or Brighton, exploded in popularity into Europe's most fashionable seaside resort.

The wealthy flocked to spend the "season" promenading, going to balls and meeting their society friends. Many came to bathe in and drink the sea water, which they believed cured a string of ailments from abscesses to tumours. Others merely enjoyed the sea air, said to give "health, spirits and a ravenous appetite".

By 1783, Brighton had caught the eye of fun-loving Prince of Wales - nicknamed Prinny - who later became George IV.

George was a drinker and gambler but also a fashionable man of taste. He arrived not long after his 21st birthday and was delighted with the place. He returned again and again and built himself a wildly exotic holiday home, the Brighton Pavilion.

Suddenly Brighton, which had just six principal streets, was bursting at the seams. Its population rocketed from 3,500 in 1780 to more than 40,500 in 1831. The eastern area, rising to 80ft above the sea, was regarded at a particularly bracing and healthy place to live.

Originally known as East Cliff, it was renamed King's Cliff in 1908 to mark a visit by Edward VII. Today it is a colourful district, rich in heritage, with 381 listed buildings and a body dedicated to preserving its character, the Kingscliffe Society.

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