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Ignite 2026 - Brighton, London
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  • Flying Kangaroo

Ignite 2026 - Brighton, London

A 12-day adventure by Flying Kangaroo Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 9, 2026
    Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    From Vancouver to Brighton

    July 10 in England ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Every great adventure starts with the journey—and this one couldn’t have gone much smoother.

    Before I even left Vancouver, Sanjay surprised me by transferring one of his Air Canada 50K Status Passes to me. That meant priority check-in, fast-track security, lounge access and priority boarding. Now that’s how I like to start a trip!

    I had also reserved an emergency exit seat, which gave me plenty of legroom. The only surprise? No window! A small sacrifice for a comfortable flight.

    Landing at Heathrow was just as effortless. Immigration took all of about 30 seconds, and by the time I reached baggage claim, my suitcase was already waiting on the carousel.

    The train journey to Brighton was mostly straightforward, although Britain’s ticketing system managed to confuse me a little. If you’re not heading to Paddington, it isn’t exactly obvious which ticket you need. I bought the wrong fare and had to pay the difference when changing trains at Farringdon. Apart from that small hiccup, everything went remarkably smoothly.

    England, here we go!    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Home for the Next Few Nights

    Jul 10–12 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    For my Brighton stay, I’ve checked into The Twenty One, a lovely little B&B tucked inside one of Brighton’s classic townhouses.

    The place has so much character. The dining room sits right beside the kitchen, where a huge traditional stove immediately catches your eye. It’s cosy, welcoming and full of thoughtful little details.

    The room itself?

    Tiny.

    Really tiny.

    But since I’m only here to sleep, it’s perfectly adequate.

    By 8:30 that evening, the combination of travel and heat had completely caught up with me. I climbed into bed and didn’t wake up again until 7:30 the next morning. Clearly, my body had decided sleep was the priority.

    This morning began with a proper full English breakfast—bangers, beans and all the trimmings.

    I’d say Brighton has given me a very warm welcome… in every sense of the word.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    First Steps in Brighton

    July 10 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    My first impression of Brighton?

    Holy shit, it’s hot!

    Blue skies, brilliant sunshine and around 29°C. Beautiful… but I was sweating almost instantly. The forecast says it’ll get even hotter over the weekend.

    As if the heat wasn’t enough, my mobile data decided to stop working properly. The locals insisted it was because of the unusually warm weather. I’m still not entirely convinced that’s how mobile networks work, but it certainly made navigating the city a little more adventurous.

    I decided to walk to my B&B, dragging my suitcase through Brighton’s colourful streets and getting my first glimpse of the city. It’s immediately charming—lots of independent shops, elegant townhouses and plenty of character.

    Unfortunately, my suitcase also decided to become part of the adventure by losing one of its wheels somewhere along the way. Three wheels left… let’s hope they survive the rest of the trip!

    After checking in and enjoying a much-needed shower, I headed straight back out. Walking along the seafront, past Brighton Pier, I found the perfect beachfront patio to begin my holiday properly.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    A Perfect Evening at The Lazy Fin

    July 10 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Sometimes you stumble upon exactly the place you didn’t know you were looking for.

    My original plan was simple: stop for one drink before heading back.

    Instead, one drink became three… and dinner somehow appeared as well.

    The beachfront atmosphere at The Lazy Fin was simply too good to leave.

    My first drink of the holiday was a Sarti Spritz, a fruity cousin of the classic Aperol Spritz, made with Sarti Rosa and bursting with mango and passion fruit flavours. Perfect for a hot summer evening.

    Food followed naturally: tacos, a fresh tomato salad and delicious corn ribs.

    With the sea just a few metres away, the evening sun slowly dropping lower and nowhere I needed to be, it was exactly the kind of relaxed first evening every holiday deserves.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Queens Park

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After breakfast, I spent a little time getting some work done for XDS Ignite before finally heading out to explore Brighton.

    My first destination was Queens Park. The walk there already felt very Brighton: colourful houses, leafy streets and plenty of little details to catch my eye along the way.

    Once I reached the park, I stepped into a proper green oasis. There must have been some kind of children’s festival happening because I was greeted by music, lots of families and plenty of excited kids running around.

    I wandered around the swan lake for a while, enjoying the shade and the relaxed atmosphere. On my way out, I passed the very cute Park Bakery before continuing towards the first coffee stop of the day.

    And with that, the Brighton coffee crawl officially began.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Starfish & Coffee

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    My first coffee stop of the day was Starfish & Coffee, a modern and bustling café that was clearly popular with the locals.

    I ordered a cappuccino to go and, of course, picked up a bag of beans as well. While I was there, I noticed that they had recently been voted Best Café 2026 by a local magazine.

    Well done!

    The cappuccino came in a sustainable takeaway cup without a plastic lid. I had seen that style of cup before in an event context, but never actually out in the real world. It was nice to finally try one properly.

    Coffee in hand, I left the café and continued walking downhill through the neighbourhood towards my next stop.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Wolfox Coffee

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    From Starfish & Coffee, I continued downhill through the neighbourhood towards Richmond Square and St. Peter’s Church.

    The walk itself was part of the experience. Brighton seems to have murals tucked into every corner, and I kept spotting new ones as I made my way through the streets.

    Eventually, I arrived at the wonderfully cute little bungalow that houses Wolfox Coffee.

    The outdoor seating area was shaded by beautiful old trees, and given the heat, it was far too inviting to pass up. I decided to stay for a while, enjoy the shade and take a proper break before continuing my coffee crawl.

    And yes, another bag of beans came with me.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Blend & Brew

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    I have to admit, Blend & Brew was not part of my original plan.

    Nature was calling, and I needed to make an unplanned stop. Since I never like to just walk into a café without ordering something, I decided to stay for a drink.

    And what a good decision that turned out to be.

    Blend & Brew was a lovely surprise: a cute space, a relaxed atmosphere and genuinely great coffee.

    Sometimes the best stops are the ones you never intended to make.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Pelicano Coffee Pioneers

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    From Blend & Brew, I made my way through the charming maze of streets known as The Lanes. Independent boutiques, quirky little shops and hidden alleyways make this one of those neighbourhoods where getting slightly lost is part of the fun.

    Eventually, I arrived at Pelicano Coffee Pioneers.

    Given the heat—it was absolutely roasting today—I ordered a cold brew instead of my usual cappuccino and settled into a window seat upstairs, overlooking the lively street below. Watching people come and go while enjoying a perfectly chilled coffee was exactly what I needed.

    Before leaving, I explored the café a little more and discovered a tiny fairy garden tucked away in the backyard. Such a lovely little detail.

    Out of all the cafés I visited today, I think Pelicano was my favourite. Rustic, cosy, fantastic coffee and full of character. Oh, and yes… another bag of beans found its way into my backpack.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Royal Pavilion Garden

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    After leaving Pelicano, I continued wandering through The Lanes, browsing the many independent shops and, naturally, doing a little shopping myself along the way.

    Eventually I reached one of Brighton’s most iconic landmarks: the Royal Pavilion.

    What an extraordinary building.

    With its domes, minarets and intricate details, it looks as though it belongs somewhere in India or the Middle East rather than on England’s south coast. It almost feels like something straight out of One Thousand and One Nights.

    I spent some time strolling through the surrounding gardens, admiring the architecture from every angle and watching people relax on the lawns in the afternoon sunshine.

    Without even stepping inside, this was easily one of the highlights of my day.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Redroaster

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    My next stop was Redroaster.

    I’d actually tried to visit yesterday, but by the time I arrived, they had already closed. Today I finally got my chance.

    The café is much larger and more modern than many of Brighton’s independent coffee shops, with an impressive coffee selection and genuinely friendly staff.

    Given the heat, I ordered an iced latte and settled onto the shaded backyard patio. What was supposed to be a quick stop turned into a much longer break. I caught up on a bit of work, watched people wander by and, perhaps even more entertainingly, watched plenty of dogs enjoying the café alongside their owners.

    One thing I absolutely love about Europe is how dog-friendly cafés and restaurants are. Seeing dogs quietly relaxing under tables or sitting beside their owners just feels so natural. I wish Vancouver would loosen up a little in that regard.

    Eventually, it was time to head back to the B&B, freshen up and get ready for dinner.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Rybka

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    After spending some time at Redroaster, I headed back to the B&B to cool down, freshen up and get ready for dinner.

    My original plan was to eat at The Reading Room, a restaurant a little outside the city centre. As I walked there, however, I noticed more and more people heading in the same direction. Hundreds soon became thousands.

    Then it dawned on me.

    Tonight was the FIFA World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway, and the city’s public viewing area was right outside the restaurant.

    Although The Reading Room itself wasn’t overrun with football fans, they weren’t accepting walk-ins that evening. Time for Plan B.

    So I turned around and walked the three kilometres back into the city centre.

    My backup choice was Rybka, one of Brighton’s highest-rated fish & chips restaurants—and what a fantastic backup plan it turned out to be.

    A cold beer, beautifully flaky fish in a perfectly crisp batter, crunchy chips and genuinely friendly service.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Brighton Palace Pier

    July 11 in England ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After dinner, I took the scenic route back to the B&B, which naturally led me past Brighton Palace Pier.

    The sun was beginning to set, and there was no way I could simply walk past without stepping onto the pier.

    So I wandered all the way to the very end, taking in the sea breeze, the sounds of the amusement rides and the beautiful golden light over the English Channel.

    Standing there also brought back memories of my previous visit to Brighton in 1998, when I came here on a school trip. One of the few things I vividly remember from that visit was posing with my friends behind one of those classic seaside photo boards—a mermaid and a diver where you stick your head through the holes for a funny picture.

    I actually went looking for it.

    Unfortunately, after nearly thirty years, it seems the old mermaid has retired. I couldn’t find her anywhere.

    Still, it was a wonderful walk down memory lane.

    And watching the sun set over Brighton from the end of the pier was the perfect way to finish a fantastic day exploring this wonderfully quirky seaside city.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Temple

    July 12 in England ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    My final morning before XDS Ignite began with one more leisurely breakfast at The Twenty One before setting off towards Brighton Marina.

    Hidden beneath the seawall is Temple, one of Brighton’s most beautifully located cafés. Getting there requires a bit of a walk—especially in the scorching summer heat—but every step is worth it.

    The café sits almost directly on the beach, overlooking the English Channel. Waves rolling in, a gentle sea breeze and hardly any noise besides the ocean.

    I ordered a cappuccino and a slice of Norwegian almond cake before simply sitting back and enjoying the view.

    Sometimes the location is just as memorable as the coffee itself.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Trading Post Coffee

    July 12 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After returning from Temple, it was time to say goodbye to my lovely little B&B and move into the DoubleTree by Hilton, which would become home for the XDS Ignite part of the trip.

    My room wasn’t quite ready yet, so I met up with some of my XDS colleagues for drinks on the hotel patio before continuing my coffee adventure.

    Next stop: Trading Post Coffee.

    I grabbed a cold brew and settled in to get a little work done. What made the visit particularly memorable was that they were roasting coffee right there in the café while I was there. The aroma was incredible.

    The downside?

    It was already ridiculously hot outside, and a working coffee roaster certainly didn’t help cool things down!

    Still, Trading Post is a beautiful café with an impressive selection of coffees. Naturally, another bag of beans found its way into my backpack before I left.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    The Lanes

    July 12 in England ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    With coffee in hand, I wandered back into The Lanes.

    I had already explored parts of this famous neighbourhood yesterday, but today I decided to do exactly what you’re supposed to do here:

    Get completely lost.

    Tiny alleyways branch off into even tinier alleyways, each revealing another quirky independent shop, colourful mural or hidden courtyard.

    At times it honestly felt like wandering through Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. There were wizard-themed shops, a witches’ restaurant and all sorts of wonderfully unusual stores that made every turn feel like a new discovery.

    Brighton certainly embraces its quirky side—and I absolutely love it.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    17 Grams

    July 12 in England ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    While happily getting lost in The Lanes, I stumbled across another specialty coffee shop that hadn’t originally been on my itinerary: 17 Grams.

    Curiosity got the better of me.

    I stepped inside, ordered an espresso and immediately knew I had made the right decision.

    Rich, balanced and absolutely delicious.

    And since leaving a specialty coffee shop without beans would simply be breaking tradition by now… another bag joined the growing collection that I’ll be bringing home to Vancouver.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Komodo Coffee

    July 12 in England ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    Komodo Coffee was another happy surprise.

    I had heard good things about it while researching Brighton, but because they don’t roast their own coffee, I hadn’t planned on visiting.

    Then I suddenly found myself standing right outside the door.

    Well… it would have been rude not to go in.

    The café itself is tiny, beautifully designed and has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

    I ordered an espresso, and it completely blew me away.

    The aroma alone was incredible, and the flavour was every bit as impressive. While they source their coffees from other roasters, they clearly know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to selecting and preparing them.

    Needless to say, another bag of coffee somehow ended up in my backpack.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Bond Street Coffee

    July 12 in England ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    One more coffee.

    At least that’s what I told myself.

    Bond Street Coffee became the final stop of today’s coffee crawl. Given the relentless heat, I opted for a refreshing cold brew and claimed a seat by the front window.

    Watching the steady stream of people pass along busy Bond Street while sipping excellent coffee was the perfect way to wind down a day that had become something of a Brighton specialty coffee marathon.

    Ten cafés in three days.

    Brighton has certainly delivered.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Casa Don Carlos

    July 12 in England ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    Eventually it was time to switch gears.

    I returned to the hotel, finally checked into my room and spent some time getting work done before XDS Ignite officially kicks off tomorrow.

    A little later, Chris—who had just arrived in Brighton for Ignite—sent me a message asking whether I’d like to grab dinner.

    We ended up at Casa Don Carlos, a wonderful Spanish tapas restaurant.

    Great tapas, excellent sangria and plenty to catch up on before another busy week begins.

    After dinner we finished the evening with a quiet nightcap on the hotel patio before calling it a night.

    Tomorrow, Brighton changes from holiday destination to work destination.

    XDS Ignite begins.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    The Milk Shed

    July 13 in England ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    After breakfast at the hotel, it was time to switch into event mode.

    My first stop was the local printer to collect the last remaining pieces of signage for XDS Ignite. From there, I headed over to Electric Square, our host venue for two of the three Ignite sessions, to do a quick site check and make sure everything was coming together.

    With the essentials taken care of, I rewarded myself with a coffee.

    Just around the corner sits The Milk Shed, one of Brighton’s specialty coffee roasters. What a cool little place! The roasting operation is tucked inside a garage, with the café right beside it and a few benches lining the pedestrian street outside.

    I ordered a cappuccino, found a sunny spot on one of the benches and took a few minutes to map out the rest of my day.

    Of course, I couldn’t leave without a bag of beans. The tasting notes promised gummy bears—and honestly, how could I possibly resist that?    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    XDS Ignite Social Mixer

    July 13 in England ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    The rest of the day was all about preparing for XDS Ignite.

    I spent the afternoon zigzagging across Brighton, picking up various DIY materials and last-minute supplies before squeezing in a little more work back at the hotel.

    Later in the afternoon, I returned to Electric Square for the final setup.

    The bar team arrived, the catering was delivered, and I spent the next little while placing all the small signage pieces around the venue. It’s funny how those tiny details often go unnoticed by attendees—but together they create the overall look and feel of an event.

    Before long, our guests started arriving.

    The XDS Ignite Social Mixer isn’t a huge event—around forty attendees this evening—but that’s exactly what makes it special. Everyone quickly got talking, conversations flowed naturally and the atmosphere was relaxed from the very beginning.

    A fantastic way to kick off XDS Ignite.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Mowgli Street Food

    July 13 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Once the mixer wrapped up, there was still a little work to do.

    I packed away a few things, prepared everything for tomorrow morning’s workshops and then headed back to the hotel for a quick refresh before dinner.

    Tonight’s choice was Mowgli Street Food, just a short walk from the hotel.

    After a long day on my feet, it was exactly what I needed.

    I ordered a lamb curry with paratha, rice and a refreshing mango lassi—and every bit of it hit the spot.

    With a full stomach and everything ready for tomorrow, there was only one thing left to do:

    Get some sleep.

    Tomorrow, XDS Ignite officially begins.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    XDS Ignite - Morning Sessions

    July 14 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After breakfast at the hotel, it was time to head back to Electric Square for the workshop portion of XDS Ignite.

    But first…

    One final stop at The Milk Shed for a takeaway coffee. By now it had become my little morning ritual.

    Back at the venue, we finished the last preparations before welcoming our attendees.

    Then it was go time.

    The morning kicked off with an interactive workshop using a brand-new session format that we’re currently trialling for the main XDS conference in Vancouver this September. It’s always a little nerve-racking introducing something completely new, but the attendees embraced it right away.

    That was followed by our Table-Topic Deep Dives, giving participants the chance to have smaller, more focused discussions around specific industry topics.

    From my perspective, the entire morning went really well. The audience was engaged, conversations were lively and the new format seemed to achieve exactly what we’d hoped for.

    While the Table Topics continued, I quietly slipped away to prepare for the second half of Ignite later that afternoon.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    XDS Ignite - Afternoon Sessions

    July 14 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    The afternoon sessions moved across town to the Develop:Brighton conference.

    I deliberately arrived early to make sure everything was ready—especially the audiovisual setup. After all, events always have a habit of throwing you one last surprise when you least expect it.

    By the time I arrived, Develop:Brighton was already in full swing.

    Holy shit.

    The place was absolutely packed.

    Thankfully, registration was quick and efficient, and I soon found our assigned room. Another presentation was still finishing up, which gave me a chance to cool down for a few minutes before our setup window opened.

    Then everything happened at once.

    Signage went up.

    Catering arrived.

    The AV was tested.

    Final checks.

    Andy stopped by to say hello and check how everything was going—a genuinely nice guy.

    Before long, attendees started filing into the room, and XDS Ignite was underway once again.

    I had the chance to welcome everyone, introduce XDS and share what makes our Vancouver event so special before handing things over to the speakers.

    And just like that…

    It was five o’clock.

    The event was over.

    After packing everything away, I briefly stopped by the Develop:Icebreaker. The atmosphere was fantastic—but it was simply too crowded for me. Sometimes you just know when it’s time to call it a day.    Read more