Beach
Kemptown Seafront Beach
in Brighton, United Kingdom
The stretch of beach along Madeira Drive below Kemptown is the unofficial gathering spot for the queer community on sunny days.
Where it is
This stretch of beach runs along Madeira Drive in the east of the city, below the Kemptown district between the Palace Pier and the marina.
What it is
The pebble beach along Madeira Drive is the district's relaxed, mixed local beach, and it leads straight on to the adjacent naturist section. Beach bars and cafés under the arches, plus the proximity to Kemptown's queer venues, make it especially lively on summer days.
History
The shoreline off Kemptown was a favourite gathering place for Brighton's queer community long before the official naturist beach was designated. As Kemptown grew into the city's gay quarter through the 20th century, this stretch of beach became its natural seaside extension.