Brighton is a seaside resort located in the unitary authority area of Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex, England. It is situated approximately 47 miles (76 km) south of London. Archaeological evidence indicates that settlement in the area dates back to the Bronze Age, as well as the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods.
The ancient settlement was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name "Brighthelmstone." While the town's importance grew during the Middle Ages with the development of the Old Town, it experienced a period of decline in the early modern era due to storms, foreign attacks, and economic struggles. The area later gained popularity as a health resort for sea bathing and became a boarding point for boats traveling to France following improvements in road transport from London.