The Sussex Newspaper - Great news for a great county!

The UK’s newest major visitor attraction, the Brighton Wheel, is the first in a series of developments that will ensure Brighton & Hove remain at the top of the UK’s tourism hotspots for 2012.Rising 50 metres above Brighton’s famous promenade, the Seaside Eye carries up to 200 passengers in 36 glass pods. Visitors can experience three full rotations of the wheel taking 12 minutes and giving plenty of opportunity to enjoy the stunning seagull’s eye view across the city and out to sea.

But other top attractions on Brighton’s iconic seafront are also undergoing investment and regeneration in time for the Olympic year.

Brightin Sea Life Centre, the world’s oldest operating aquarium, celebrates its 140^th anniversary in 2012. The centre is undergoing extensive renovation in preparation for its grand re-opening early in 2012. As well as the restoration of its original Victorian architecture, visitors will be able to enjoy a new “Jelly Disco” showcasing different species of jellyfish and a ‘behind the scenes’ tour which gives an insight into the of running the aquarium.

The sale of one of the city’s most iconic attractions, the Brighton Pier looks set to be completed in early 2012.   Also due for completion in the New Year, the Brighton Centre is set to unveil a completely new façade as well as a restaurant offering panoramic views out to sea.

Elsewhere in the city the Royal pavilion , the city’s historic royal palace, has a special yearlong exhibition (March 2012 to March 2013) to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Focusing on the short life and tragic death of Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales, the exhibition will see the Royal Pavilion & Museums’ extensive collection of paintings, ceramics and drawings relating to the Princess on display for the first time in a generation.

Finally, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is set to unveil the only Cultural Olympiad venue outside of London in June; the new “Stories of the World” gallery developed in partnership with young people in the city to display collections from around the world in a modern setting.

With accommodation ranging from budget to boutique, an endless supply of quality restaurants and some of the best tourist attractions in Britain, Brighton  is the perfect place to visit in 2012.

For more information on what to see and do in Brighton, go to www.visitbrighton.com.