I agree - but then I hate Brighton's commercialism. Too little sand, too many druggies, drunks, chavs and topless sunbathers - why not go to West Wittering, near Chichester instead? Lovely large, sandy beach, always clean, no in-your-face, shoved-down-your-throat commercialism!

If you grew up in Brighton you soon realised that the pebbles had one major advantage over sand, you could enjoy your sandwiches without the actual bits of sand getting into your food. Also as we used to swim from April to September you simply did not notice the stones as you ran, without beach shoes, into the sea. The real fun was to watch the day trippers, both because they made hard work of walking on the beach and also, because they did not realise the effect of a day in the sun on white skin, seeing them going to get on their return coaches with bare bright red backs was a sight to see. How they felt the next day one can well imagine.

Maggie: Maybe it's you who has the problem - perhaps Brighton is too vibrant a city for you?  Perhaps somewhere like Slough would be more up your street?

If the beaches are so bad, then Brighton obviously isn't the place for you. But instead of writing complaints about it, why don't you just find another place to bug.

I was born in Brighton and love the beach. I spent many hours there. When the tide goes out that's when you find the sand. I used to wear little shoes when I was a toddler and, as I got older, used to run over the pebbles in my bare feet. Oh for the lovely fresh air of Brighton and the sound of the waves.

I miss Brighton beach so much. I remember when it was low tide revealing the sand, to me that was part of the wonder of Brighton beach, you were used to walking on the pebbles and setting up camp for the day ontop of the pebbles and then how glorious to have those days when it was low tide and the sand was available, it was so exciting. I thnk it would have been boring to have the sand all the time, it was much more fun each time going to the beach and seeing sand... as a kid it was like seeing sand for the first time each time)

I remember the soothing sound of the waves rolling the pebbles backwards and forwards, the illegal icecream sellers getting small boys to check for policemen patrolling the esplanade and the beach: plenty of room at low tide but getting very cosy as the tide rose forcing everyone closer and closer.

I was born and raised in Kemp Town. I thought all beaches were pebbly, I knew nothing else, but once you got comfortable on a beach towel, on those pebbles, and the sound of the sea moving them around, with the sun on you, it was like being in paradise. We always went east of the Banjo Groin. There was plenty of sand at low tide.

There is nothing wrong with the beach in Brighton. It's full of life and somethings always going on. If you don't like crowded beaches, walk 10 minutes along the beach to Hove, where it's quieter. You can enjoy yourself there and theres the lawns as well. and if you don't like either, then don't come.

I think Brighton's beach sounds absolutely lovely and I would absolutely love to visit one day. I've grown up in Florida and the beach is my backyard here. Of course we have sandy beaches but you know what...most of us here ironically hate the sand. It's like rug burn every time you try to apply sun oils and lotions with sand on your body and hands and it gets in your food and hair and bathing suits and all in your car as you leave. It's really just a menace and I think I would far prefer pebbles and I'm sure the sound of them rolling in the waves is absolute zen.

I went to Brighton today and no rides were on. So not cool....

Brighton so mystic, so for ever changing, so close to my heart.it holds most of my lifes memories, good and bad. My thoughts are always drawn to it. I was born there,and stayed till, I had to move on. to start a fresh life else where. But my thoughts stay there, because my whole family are there. The beach be there stones or sand is Brighton. And Brighton is Beautiful.

I loved Brighton. Great food, cocktail bars, pebble beaches, ace. I got drunk, sunburnt, had a laugh and got to see my wife topless in the UK. Even had a bit of fun on the beach after hours. If you don't like it, don't come again.  But I will.  Cheers.

My father (a Bushby descendent) was born in Brighton but spent most of his adult life in North East England which has glorious sandy beaches. However we had our annual 'pilgrimage' to Brighton and we loved every minute of it. The only drawback with the beach in the 1940/50s was sticky black tar which seemed to get everywhere. Our favourite places were the Banjo Groin and Black Rock Pool and we would go swimming in late afternoon when the water was warm and so were the pebbles. Can anyone remember the animals from Billy Smart's Circus going for a swim very early in the mornings (or is my childhood memory playing tricks)?

Honestly, it's not that hard to avoid the small stretch of Brighton beach that gets overrun with day-trippers and people drinking. Walk about two minutes towards Hove (even as far as the West Pier!) and the crowds disappear. Fewer people, fewer drunks, no bars blaring out dance music. And honestly, there are so many benefits to a pebble beach. I know that's where I'll be this Summer.

OK, I can understand what draws people to Brighton, I mean it's a good city to pop into for the day and have some fun. But having lived in Brighton my whole life, I tend to see the other side of things that most tourists (not all) don't see, because they are too busy taking in the sights.  As someone stated above: druggies, drunks etc.  Also, as I work in Brighton, I am pretty much exposed to it 24-7, and find its commercialism, and the rude people such a drag that what once made me enjoy Brighton has faded and been replaced by sheer despair for the place - and that includes the state of the 'beach'. I mean, have you seen the mess it gets left in?

The assumption that drug consumption in a public place = poor quality place is poorly based at best, especially in reference to Brighton. As for the commercialism, look at the sky and sea, not the shops. Commercialism is pretty much the drug of choice for our terrible society anyway.

A beach should have sand.

Brighton is more than just one beach, people congregate on the main beach ,because they are too lazy to go any further, and if people started to fan out onto the other beaches, then I'm sure the traders would follow, so you would have the sort of things you want, whilst on the beach, and its very true that it does have sand at low tide, being born and brought up in Brighton was special to us. I now live up the coast a little way with sand, but much prefer the pebbles. More should be done about the drunks and the druggies, I would be the first to admit, so come on go a little further where you feel more comfortable, have fun.

Hi Judi, What a treat it was to turn out at the station to watch the elephants making their way down the streets, towards the Level for the circus, all decorated up for the parade.

Loz, may i recommend a nice middle class village somewhere in the Cotswolds?

Ref: Main article about the hate and dislike of Brighton and its beach. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT then don't use it.

Go to Hove beaches instead. And remember at low tide there's plenty of sand for children to play on. Shingle doesn't blow in your eyes in the wind; the swimming off of the beach at the bottom of Grand Avenue is great and if you don't like crowds go even further along near the Hove Lagoon. Enjoy.