Discover Brighton

If you're looking for a new way to explore Brighton, especially the parts you think you already know, check out the Discover Brighton series. This isn't a traditional guided tour; it's a set of nine digital history walks designed to be followed entirely on your smartphone or tablet. They make history accessible right as you walk, using integrated digital resources like historical photographs, texts, and audio recordings at various points of interest. The walks are designed for both locals and visitors, and the best part is that all nine digital tours are available continuously and are completely free to access on the QueenSpark Books website.

What makes these walks particularly interesting is their origin and depth. They were put together by QueenSpark Books, which holds the title of the UK's oldest community publisher. Since 1972, this organization has been dedicated to documenting and archiving local lives, and these walks draw directly from that extensive archive—specifically, over 110 books they have published. The content is built from the actual memories of people who have lived, worked, or visited Brighton over the last century. This project, which is part of the 'Archives Alive!' initiative supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, ensures the focus is genuinely on social and local history, offering a perspective you won't find in standard guidebooks.

The nine routes cover some fascinating and often overlooked aspects of the city's past. For instance, you can follow a walk dedicated to discovering what it was like to be gay in the 50s and 60s, titled 'Daring Hearts'. Other routes delve into the city during wartime ('Brighton Behind the Front'), explore lost venues like theatres and cinemas, or look at the history of slum clearance that made way for places like Churchill Square ('Backyard – Back Street'). There are also walks focusing on the West Pier, 'Unsung Heroes', the contrast between rich and poor housing ('Behind the Façade'), and the city's alternative spaces. If you have questions about the project, you can reach the organizers at 01273 203776, or check out their social media channels on Facebook and Twitter under QueenSpark Books.