Bibliography - Brighton: Guides and directories
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A Rural Ramble; to which is annexed a Poetical tagg, or Brighthelmstone guide, by George Saville Carey, published 1777 (72 pp., London: R. Baldwin) accessible at: British Library

Brighton new guide or, a description of Brighthelmston, and the adjacent country; with an account of the following places: East Bourn, Lewes, Newhaven, Shoreham, Rottendean, Worthing, Arundel, Seaford, Steyning, Preston, &c. &c. &c, edited by Frederick George Fisher, published 1800 (124 pp., London: T. Burton) accessible at: British Library   View Online

Fisher's New Brighton Guide; or, a description of Brightelmston … To which is added a correct account of … the cities, towns and villages from Dieppe to Paris, published 1804 (sixth edition, vi + 130 pp., F. G. Fisher) accessible at: British Library

The Brighton and Lewes Guide … With four engravings and a map, by John V. Button, published 1805 (iv + 79 pp., Lewes : J. Baxter) accessible at: British Library

The Fashionable Guide and Directory to the Public Places of Resort; Illustrated with Views, published c.1835 (T. Fry)

Leppard and Co.'s Brighton Directory for 1839-40, edited by Leppard, William and Co., published 1839 (Leppard & Co. Ltd.)

Mogg's Brighton Railway, and Brighton, Lewes, Shoreham and Worthing Guide, by Edward Mogg, published 1841 (London) accessible at: British Library

Bradshaw's descriptive guide to the London & Brighton Railway: containing a full and accurate account of all the various places and objects of interest along the line, together with their historical and general associations, and a compendious topographical description of all the admired places of resort in the vicinity of Brighton , by E. L. Blanchard and George Bradshaw, published 1844 (London: W. J. Adams)

The Stranger's Guide in Brighton, 1845, published 1845 (pamphlet) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 4223]

An Illustrated Hand-book of Brighton, and Its Environs: With Some Account of the Fishery, by W. and C. Fleet, published 1847 (W. & C. Fleet)

Adams's Descriptive Guide to the Watering Places of England; and complete companion to the coast, &c., by E. L. Blanchard, published 1848 (125 pp., London: W. J. Adams) accessible at: & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

The Stranger's Guide in Brighton: Being a Complete Companion to that Fashionable Watering Place, and the Rides and Drives in Its Vicinity, the Royal Pavilion and the German Spa Waters, by W. Saunders, published 1852 (106 pp., Brighton: W. Saunders & Son) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries

Brighton Directory, by R. Folthorp, published 1856 accessible at: The Keep [LIB/504666]

Brighton, past and present: a handbook for visitors and residents, by Mary Philadelphia Merrifield, published 1857 (127 pp. + 40 pp., Brighton: Hannah Wallis) accessible at: British Library & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Brighton and South Coast Railway. Everybody's guide to Brighton, Hastings, and South Coast. A descriptive supplement to the Penny Time Tables, published 1861 (19 pp., London: W. J. Adams) accessible at: British Library

Brighton Court Directory, by R. Folthorp, published 1861 accessible at: The Keep [LIB/504665]

Black's Guide to Brighton and Vicinity, including Lewes, Shoreham and Newhaven, by Black & Co. Ltd., published 1866 (54 pp., Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black) accessible at: British Library

The Comic Guide to Brighton, by Damon & Pythias, published 1875 (32 pp., Brighton : Gill & Metcher) accessible at: British Library

Andress & Nash's Illustrated Guide to Brighton. [With a map.], published 1879 (32 pp., Brighton: Andress & Nash) accessible at: British Library

Norman May's Guide to Brighton. Illustrated with maps, photographs, etc., published 1884 (198 pp., London: N. May & Co.) accessible at: British Library

Guide to Brighton: Profusely Illustrated and Containing Map of the Town, Together with Ready Reference Street List, by W. E. Nash, published 1885 (217 pp., Brighton: W. E. Nash) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503785] & British Library & West Sussex Libraries

Pike's Guide to Brighton and Hove. With map, published 1888 (128 pp., Brighton: Robinson, Son & Pike) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500999] & British Library

The Brighton Handy-Book and Guide to the Town. With illustrations, by John Sawyer, published 1890 (60 pp., Brighton: J. G. Bishop) accessible at: British Library

Eyles and Son's Pocket Brighton Guide, published 1891 (Brighton: "Brighton Examiner" Office) accessible at: British Library

Bright & Son's View Book and Guide to Brightonand Neighbourhood. With twenty-four illustrations., published 1896 (96 pp., Brighton : D. B. Friend & Co.) accessible at: British Library

Patmer's Handy Guide to Brighton. (Illustrated), published 1905 (39 pp., Brighton: E. F. Patmer) accessible at: British Library

Nelson's Guide to Brighton, Hove, and Worthing. With maps, plans, and illustrations, published 1908 (63 pp., London: Thomas Nelson & Sons) accessible at: British Library

The Book of Brighton. Official Guide. [With illustrations], published 1909 (48 pp., Brighton: Publicity Association) accessible at: British Library

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, published 1920 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/501006]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, Hove and Neighbourhood, published 1925 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500993]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, Hove and Neighbourhood, published 1926 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500994]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, published 1927 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, Hove, Portslade and Neighbourhood, published 1929 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, published 1931 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.)

Kelly's Directory of Brighton and Hove, published 1935 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507970]

Pike's Brighton, Hove and District Blue Book and Local Directory, published 1938 (Pike's) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13507]

Pike's Blue Book: Brighton, Hove and District, 1938-1939, published 1939 accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 623]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, published 1940 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9120]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1947 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9121] & The Keep [LIB/501023]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1949 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9122] & The Keep [LIB/501021]

About Brighton: A Guide to the Buildings and By-Ways of Brighton and Hove, by Antony Dale, published 1951 (Regency Society of Brighton & Hove) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1951 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9123] & The Keep [LIB/501024]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1954 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9124] & The Keep [LIB/501020][Lib/504649]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, published 1956 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9125]

Melville and Co.'s directory & gazetteer of Sussex, containing Brighton, Hastings, St. Leonards-on-Sea, … : a descriptive account is given with each place, followed by a directory., published 1958 (xii + 386 pp., London: W. H. Collingridge) accessible at: British Library

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1958 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9126] & The Keep [LIB/501025]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, published 1960 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9127]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1962 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9128] & The Keep [LIB/501018]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, Hove and Neighbourhood, published 1964 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9129] & The Keep [LIB/501019][Lib/504650]

About Brighton: A Guide to the Buildings and By-Ways of Brighton and Hove, by Antony Dale, published 1965 (revised edition, 83 pp., Regency Society of Brighton & Hove) accessible at: & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove, published 1966 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9130] & The Keep [LIB/501017]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove with Portslade, Southwick and Shoreham, published 1968 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/501016][Lib/504651]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, Hove and Neighbourhood, 1969, published 1969 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14805][Lib 9131] & The Keep [LIB/501015][Lib/504652]

Arundel and Brighton [Catholic] Diocesan Directory 1970, published 1970 (Diocese of Arundel and Brighton) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 5563]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove with Portslade, Southwick and Shoreham, published 1970 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/501014]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove with Portslade, Southwick and Shoreham, published 1971 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9132] & The Keep [LIB/501013][Lib/504653]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove with Portslade, Southwick and Shoreham, published 1972 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12806] & The Keep [LIB/501011]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton, Hove and Neighbourhood, published 1973 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd.) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12807] & The Keep [LIB/501022]

Kelly's Directory of Brighton & Hove with Portslade, Southwick and Shoreham, published 1974 (article, London: Kelly's Directories Ltd., ISBN-10: 061000400X & ISBN-13: 9780610004001) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12808] & The Keep [LIB/504654]

Guide to Printed Sources, For the Study of the History and Geography of the Borough of Brighton, by Sue Farrant, published 1977 (Brighton Polytechnic) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries

A guide to the buildings of Brighton, by Students and Staff of the School of Architecture and Interior Design, Brighton Polytechnic, published 1987 (152 pp., McMillan Martin, ISBN-10: 1869865030 & ISBN-13: 9781869865030) accessible at: R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries

Thompson Directories Brighton Area, 1991/1992, published 1991 (Thomson Directories) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15958]

Brighton: History and Guide, by Mark Sampson, published 28 July 1994 (128 pp., Sutton Publishing, ISBN-10: 0750904763 & ISBN-13: 9780750904766) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/508060] & West Sussex Libraries

Neat and Nippy Guide to Brighton's History, by Christopher Horlock, published 20 March 2003 (80 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857702611 & ISBN-13: 9781857702613) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

This new guidebook is for people in a hurry. It's a quick easily digested history of the City of Brighton, with most of the interesting bits included and a lot of the boring stuff left out. It's written, assuming the reader doesn't know an awful lot about history so everything is explained and clearly spelt out. It concentrates on the old part of the town, which is the city's historic heart and soul, where all the really intriguing things have happened over the years.
The author, Christopher Horlock is a teacher and lives in Shoreham by Sea.

Knapsack guide to Brighton & Hove: essential guides for streetwise kids, by Helenor Rogers and Michael Rogers, published 11 March 2004 (96 pp., Hove: Knapsack Publishing, ISBN-10: 095452120X & ISBN-13: 9780954521202) accessible at: British Library

Brighton: More Than a Guide (Jarrold City Guides), by Annie Bullen, published 15 March 2005 (104 pp., Norwich: Jarrold Publishing, ISBN-10: 0711735921 & ISBN-13: 9780711735927) accessible at: British Library & East Sussex Libraries

The Brighton Explorer, published 29 April 2007 (120 pp., London: VisitBritain, ISBN-10: 0709583877 & ISBN-13: 9780709583875) accessible at: British Library & East Sussex Libraries

Pevsner Architectural Guides: Brighton and Hove, by Nicholas Antram and Richard Morrice, published 3 November 2008 (256 pp., Yale University Press, ISBN-10: 0300126611 & ISBN-13: 9780300126617) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

This book is the first comprehensive guide to the historic heart of Brighton and Hove, the greatest of England's seaside resorts. A series of walks trace its development from late medieval fishing settlement to the "Queen of the Watering Places," with a lively and critical commentary on its unique architectural character. Few cities can boast such an exotic diversity of buildings, from the outlandish Pavilion, playground of the Prince Regent, to genteel squares and terraces, Victorian architecture both serious and whimsical and landmarks of twentieth century modernism.

This marvellous paperback expands, but also preserves, Pevsner's pioneering guide to inner Brighton and Hove, part of his Sussex volume published in 1965. The authors chart the city's evolving social and economic life, and the architects and developers who responded to it. They examine major monuments - the Pavilion, the Dome, St. Michael's, St Bartholomew's, All Saints, The Pier, Brighton Railway Station and the Jubilee Library. Twelve walks traverse the city roughly to its Edwardian boundaries, from the seafront out to Montpelier, Preston Village, London and Lewes Roads and Queen's Park. Interspersed are discrete paragraphs on Building Materials, Bows and Bays, the West Pier, Orientalism (Chinese and Indian), Sea Bathing, Anglican Ritualism, Magnus Volk etc. All is accurate and acute, succinct and accessible.

Brighton and Hove: A Pictorial Guide, by Andy Thomas, published 16 December 2009 (80 pp., Seaford: S. B. Publications, ISBN-10: 1857703502 & ISBN-13: 9781857703504) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries

This book captures the visual essence of Brighton with beautiful full-colour photos, recording its many fascinating sights, annual events and history in a concise and attractive style. Including coverage of famous Brighton events, Gay Pride and the London to Brighton vintage car rally, this book is perfect for residents and visitors alike.
Andy Thomas was born in Lewes, and still lives there, and is the author of several photographic books.

Brighton: a Wander Along the Twittens and Byways of a Regent's Resort, by Will Glover and photographed by Dan Johnson, published 12 June 2011 (117 pp., Surrey: Quirky Book Co., ISBN-10: 0955869226 & ISBN-13: 9780955869228) accessible at: British Library & East Sussex Libraries

J.J. Waller's Brighton: Volume 1, by J. J. Waller, published 1 November 2012 (96 pp., Curious, ISBN-10: 0957439008 & ISBN-13: 9780957439009)

Pevsner Architectural Guides - Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove, by Nicholas Antram, published 14 May 2013 (revised edition, xix + 751 pp. & 64 pages of plates, Yale University Press, ISBN-10: 0300184735 & ISBN-13: 9780300184730) accessible at: R.I.B.A. Library & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

The East Sussex volume of The Buildings of England covers an area ranging from the High Weald in the north of the county to the massive ridge of the South Downs and the resort towns and ancient ports of the coast. Its coastal resorts are particularly distinguished, none more so than Brighton and Hove, where John Nash's oriental Pavilion for the Prince Regent sets the tone. Elsewhere castles at Camber, Bodiam and fortified town walls at Rye and Winchelsea attest to its military past and Battle Abbey to its medieval endowments. The towns and villages are especially rich in timber-framed, brick and tile houses for which the county is famous. The twentieth century makes its mark in the exhilarating De La Warr Pavilion at Bexhill, and the uncompromising forms of the 1960s University of Sussex campus.

In 1951 Sir Nikolaus Pevsner (1902-1983) embarked on his landmark Buildings England series. Ever selfeffacing and modest, how pleased he would have been to foresee that in less than three decades his project would be an epic 47-volume collection of unique county guides, going into revised Second Editions.
Having settled in England in 1934, Pevsner was soon writing and publishing serious architectural studies. His dismay on finding that there was no English equivalent to Georg Dehio's portable Handbuch der Deutschen Kunstdenkmaler of c1900 drove him to found its equal in England.
On a slender budget with newly-fledged graduates as researchers, he worked tirelessly on a grinding schedule to produce two or even three volumes a year. The first edition of Sussex was published in 1965 and covered East and West Sussex, the authors being Pevsner and Ian Nairn. The present Revised Edition revealed challenges which the author, the late Nicholas Antram, has addressed and has used to produce a superb volume. Wisely, the large county of Sussex is split into two parts, of which this is the first. The successful Brighton and Hove Architectural Guide of 2008 by Antram and Richard Morrice, which used Pevsner's text as their foundation, has been incorporated into this volume. Thereby full attention is given to the magnificent places of worship in Brighton and Hove.
In his foreword Antram explains that Sussex boundary changes, new research and a wave of investigations called for overhaul and expansion of Pevsner's text, without the loss of his substance and character. Charles O'Brien's preface to his Introduction depicts an attractive Sussex with majestic Downs, historic Wealden landscapes, growing coastal towns and a rural spirit intact in many places. Valuable new sections are Geology and Building Stones by Bernard Worssam, Prehistoric, Roman and Pagan Saxon Sussex by David Rudling and background chapters which include an extensive Medieval East Sussex. In the foreword Antram also records his 'biggest debt of gratitude to David and Barbara Martin' for their expertise on East Sussex domestic buildings.The Gazeteer is the core of the book. When dipping at random into sites it is clear that the author has left no stone unturned in his task to collate the best knowledge on any building. Huge amounts of fresh information and new subjects have been incorporated at all levels and in all fields, including church furnishings and modern buildings. The addition to the text of over 60 black and white illustrations of plans, old prints of buildings and maps is attractively laid out and a great asset, as is a re-ordered Glossary with the drawings set together in the middle. Many new colour illustrations vividly display the wide range of Sussex building stones that Dr Bernard Worssam describes.
Sussex: East is a many-faceted guide book. It will be invaluable for the serious scholar, equally right for the armchair traveller or for the explorer arriving in Sussex for the first time. Pevsner's enduring genius lies at its centre; as a true inheritor of Pevsner, Nick Antram, together with his team, has continued the genius.