'London by the sea' representing Brighton as a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and fast-paced city with seaside charm

The term 'London by the sea' refers to two cities, London by name and, less immediately obvious for those unfamiliar with this expression, Brighton as a result of social practices. London, the largest city in the United Kingdom and its historic capital, is a global centre of power where history unfolds. It is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a distinct urban mentality: vibrant, fast-paced, and brimming with opportunities. Brighton, by contrast, differs markedly in these respects. Situated on the South Coast of England, it was once solely a relatively quiet seaside resort, blending a peaceful atmosphere with Victorian aesthetics and a serene coastal setting. Since the mid-2010s, and significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic, it has evolved into a popular home for London commuters and remote workers seeking a more balanced lifestyle by the coast. The vibrant atmosphere of the city attracts many visitors, especially in summer and on weekends, with the Brighton and Hove Pride festival being a notable event of the year. For Londoners, Brighton offers a convenient seaside escape for the day, reachable within two hours by train from Central London (Mocnik, 2022). 'London by the sea', more rarely 'London on the sea', has become an established sobriquet for Brighton. It denotes Brighton despite quoting the term 'London', the latter being widely recognized and commonly used to refer to London as a place. By indirectly identifying Brighton with London in this way, we evoke Brighton as a coastal counterpart to London, suggesting that some of the urban dynamism and cultural vibrancy associated with the capital extend to this coastal setting. As it is common knowledge that many Londoners visit Brighton frequently and that many who reside in Brighton work in London, this concerns, in particular, the platial characteristics experienced by Londoners themselves and people who work in London, respectively, rather than by tourists. Among these characteristics is the vibrant atmosphere with much to offer, the fast-paced atmosphere of a cosmopolitan metropolis with an urban mindset and, at least to some degree, the identity of a global centre of power where history happens. Although some of the platial characteristics attributed to London extend to Brighton, or at least their perception is imputed to Brighton, it retains an unmistakable sense of its own identity, a blend of seaside nostalgia, artistic experimentation, and progressive social culture. Brighton tempers these characteristics with a distinctive informality and inclusivity that make it uniquely Brighton. The addition 'by the sea' indicates that the place it denotes, namely Brighton, is situated on the coast. For those familiar with coastal places, this can be metaphorically interpreted as a reference to the seaside charm of this place. However, all of this presupposes an understanding that the expression 'London by the sea' actually refers to Brighton. This recognition arises from the regular use of this term as a well-established sobriquet for the city.