Discovering the dazzling Royal Pavilion

In the 1780s, the future King George IV, who was then still the Prince of Wales, visited Brighton and found it to his liking. At the time, the city was rapidly evolving from a small fishing town into a luxurious seaside retreat destination well-liked by London’s elite, due to its convenient proximity to the capital. The prince had been advised by his physician that his health would greatly benefit from the sea air, advice which was rather en vogue at the time. 

The prince really took a liking to the city which became an escape from court life in London and in 1787, the prince had his more “modest” lodgings transformed by architect Henry Holland into a villa which became known as the Marine Pavilion. The newly-constructed villa would reflect the prince’s extravagant and flamboyant taste and interest in the lavish decor reflecting his impression of “the Orient”. Colonial fascination took Georgian and Regency society by storm, eventually leading to aesthetic projects to take on a conflation of what elites understood as the imagined “Orient”, mixing south Asian and East Asian architecture and decoration styles. This is precisely what ended up happening with the Royal Pavilion in Brighton which features an Indo-Islamic exterior and a more Chinese interior. 

The Pavilion remained the royal residence in Brighton until it was sold to the town by Queen Victoria in 1850  who disliked spending time there. In 1860, the stables were turned into a concert hall, the Brighton Dome. 

During the First World War, the Pavilion was transformed into a military hospital in which over 2,300 men were treated throughout the course of the war.  

The Pavilion is full of fascinating little details that linger in some of the building’s most unexpected nooks and crevices. After various restorations in the years following the end of the Second World War, you’ll want to look out for rooms such as the dramatic Music Room which was badly damaged in an arson attack in 1975 and then damaged again in the great storm of 1987 but is now finally back to its former glory. Be sure to keep an eye out for all the little details in the decor, like the lotus flowers or the slithering snakes running up some of the gold-painted walls. The Saloon was also recently restored to its original state, after restorations were finalised in 2018. The bold and eclectic colours of this luxurious Napoleonic-style are an absolute feast for the eyes. The Banquet Room really takes “grand” to a whole new level. The shimmering cut-glass chandelier, imposing table, luxurious frescoes and sheer size of the room really evidences King George IV’s taste for flamboyance and spectacle. Look out for the elaborate dining services displayed on the table and try to make out some of their artistic intricacies. The Great Kitchen is impressive due to its sheer scale. It also offers visitors a glimpse into the advancing technologies in kitchen tools at the time in a grand kitchen that matches French standards of the era. Often overlooked, it's a fantastic opportunity to think about the lives of all the cooks and workers who ran these grand royal residences.

No visit to the Royal Pavilion is complete without a wander through the Gardens. Architect John Nash added the Gardens with his redesign of the Pavilion in 1815 as pleasure grounds for the King. Nash rejected the more classical rigid garden structures and was inspired by landscape paintings and the idea that nature should be able to freely take its course. Many plants from outside of the United Kingdom were selected to be part of the landscape, including many from China. It makes for a rather surprising and unusual yet beautiful and peaceful walk. Today, the grounds are a haven for wildlife, an enduring sanctuary of peace and greenery amidst what can be a rather chaotic city centre. During the summer months, many volunteers come out to help preserve the gardens and to research landscaping methods for looking after what can sometimes be trickier species to care for.

• The Pavilion is open daily from April to September, from 9.30am to 5.45pm (last admission 5pm) and from October to March, from 10am to 5.15pm (last admission 4.30pm). 
• Pavilion Passes, which include free return visits for a whole year from the date of issue, cost £18 for adults and £11 for children (ages 5-18). Family passes range for 1 adult with up to 4 children: £29 and for 2 adults with up to 4 children: £47. For Brighton and Hove residents: (BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN41 postcodes) and up to 4 children: £13.50. And for students at University of Brighton, University of Sussex and Greater Brighton Metropolitan College and up to 4 children: £13.50. 
• Ticket bookings can be made online in advance or in-person at the Pavilion entrance. 
• The Pavilion is a historic building but accessibility measures have been put in place for those who may need them. Find out more about them here.  
• There is also a shop where you can find unique gifts and souvenirs.

By foot: 

• The Pavilion is located in the heart of town and thus very easily accessible by foot. It is a short five minute walk from the seafront of the Lanes. 

By public transport: 

• Most local buses stop at Old Steine, right in front of the Pavilion, or North Street, just a few minutes away. Find out more information about various schedules, bus routes and traffic alerts here.

By car: 

• Parking near the Pavilion is available, although it is likely to be rather busy. Click here to find out more about available parking near the Pavilion.