With summer fast approaching what better way to spend a day than like the Prince Regent and his many lady friends used to do. Sam Lassman Watts dishes the dirt on his spiritual home.

A tip:Don’t drive there – They say there is a bar for every day of the year and er, it’s impossible to park. Instead take the train from London Bridge (cheap) or Victoria (plush).

Brighton is small enough to walk anywhere; take a left out of the station down Trafalgar Street, until you reach Sydney Street, the beginning of the north Laines. These are full of all realms of vintage shops, boutiques, cafes and bars. Stop at the Off Beat Café, inspired by 50’s milk bars the place is full of memorabilia and serves a mighty fine shake. It’s going to be a long day so stock up now. When you reach the end of Sydney Street take a left and head down Gloucester Road, at the bottom you’ll find two pubs, the Basketmakers and the Eagle Try The Eagle for posh grub and then the Basketmakers Arms for your fill of Ales and lots of boxes on the wall filled with notes. The Eagle does a great quiz and has plenty of tables basking in the sunshine. Be careful you could get caught out and end up spending the whole day in either of these pubs. Pick yourself up and make your way down Cheltenham place, take a left at the end and head for the main road. Across the green space is Grand Parade, part of Brighton University and home to numerous art exhibitions. By now you should be able to smell the sea, a left out of the university should see you to the beach in about 5 minutes, a bit longer if you detour through the Royal Pavilion, in the gardens there is a half decent free museum with a history of the city. On the beach there are all sorts of activities including the disgusting but oh so fun Pier. Lunch should be spent on the rocks with something you picked up from the many sandwich and juice shops. My particular fave was Pulp Kitchen (see what they did there) serving up delicious wraps, big salads and tasty juices. In the afternoon you could take the open top bus (#77) to Devils Dyke (20 mins) and have a stroll around, it’s bootiful. Make your way back to the town and to East Street where you should choose between the excellent vegi Terre a Terre or the appetisingly fresh Indian Summer which serves up summery Indian food.

Last port of call should be the The Penthouse – situated above Brighton’s finest music venue The Freebutt, this place is a haven for students from the local halls, with DJ’s every night and big sofa’s you could be forgiven for spending the whole night on.

For post night out food try

Uncle Sam's on Montpelier Road, Walk along the front past the posh squares, Montpelier road is the only road that goes all the way down from 7 dials to the front. Uncle Sam's produces Brighton’s finest burgers and milkshakes and is well hidden amongst a bunch of houses (i used to live two doors down) I kid you not make sure you go here!

Where to stay. If you can then you should splash out on one of Brighton’s many boutique hotels. But let’s face it, there is an abundance of clubs open til the early hours and after closing and a visit to the Lorry driver haven of the ALL NIGHT DINER you may aswell just get the first train (0544 on a Sunday) back to London

And a final tip - Stay away from West Street, it’s hell. (unless you like chavs and stuff)

Enjoy