Get Ready For A Fleecing (Brighton Palace Pier)

Member Name: nilo0901

Product:	Brighton Palace Pier
Date:	04/11/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Has a good atmosphere, some games can be fun

Disadvantages: You lose money quickly here, rides shut in bad weather

I last visited Brighton Pier about 3 weeks ago whilst visiting for the weekend with my girlfriend. It's a fascinating if slightly depressing place. It's a throwback to the glory days of the English Seaside and at the height of summer can be so much fun. The beginning of October in the rain however has it's own unique charms and lack of them too.

For those who don't know the pier, it is in the heart of Brighton off the main seafront promenade and is home to numerous (or should I say countless) arcade games, slot machines and other devices for robbing you of your valuable pennies. At the end of the pier are the serious amusements and rides including a rickety looking roller coaster precariously perched on the edge of the pier, a ghost house lacking in frights and a number of carousels for the more feint hearted amongst us. Sadly, although I have used these in the distant past when I feared for my life less often than I do now, the rides were shut due to the rain when we went so we couldn't go on them. You can imagine my disappointment.

What is open year round come rain or snow and until midnight in the winter (2am in the summer) is the arcade. Here you can lose all your money however you wish. They have arcade games of all varieties for all ages through to your standard 2p slots and those machines that give you an opportunity to literally grab a cuddly bear or ipod mini. I was foolish enough to attempt (yes, it was in a lacklustre romantic gesture) and was fleeced for many pounds in my futile attempts. Don't bother with these; I'm sure you can't win and you'll only succeed in looking foolish in your attempts.

Once bored of losing money, you can get yourself a greasy fish and chips and stare out to the ocean or visit one of 2 of the most miserable looking pubs you'll ever have the misfortune to encounter. Fine cuisine this ain't so to avoid further being fleeced, stick with the candy-floss and donuts and you'll be fine. These are reassuringly expensive.

This place can be an entertaining day out but you can't help feeling slightly depressed afterwards when thinking back to the glory days of the seaside pier. This one is in need of an overhaul, or maybe not, perhaps it's just fine as it is. Go see for yourself.

Summary: Adequate fun but Brighton has better to offer