The Royal Pavilion Brighton is surely the city’s most iconic building. It is exotic, extravagant, opulent and represents a turning point in the city’s history. It tells the story of Prinny, better known as George, Prince of Wales and later King George and its flamboyance epitomises Brighton life. Whether you have never been or are a regular visitor, the Royal Pavilion always has the ability to make you go, “Wow”!
A potted history
In the 18th century, Brighton was a small fishing village but by 1780, that was beginning to change. A famous Dr Richard Russell from Lewes had written about the health benefits of sea water remedies and the Prince of Wales arrived at the coast. George was quite a character. He enjoyed the good things in life and lived a decadent lifestyle. But he also had a passion for fashion, building and the arts. In the late 18th century, he hired an architect and started to transform his Brighton lodgings.
By the turn of the century, what had started perhaps as a reasonable project was starting to grow and in 1815, the famous Jon Nash was hired to complete what became a remarkable and utterly extravagant building. What followed the completion of the Pavilion was a transformation of Brighton too, with a massive rise in the population and the development of fashionable and stylish Regency housing, much of which is still lived in today. Brighton was the place to be.
Sadly, once complete, George only visited a couple of times, but royal visitors since have been William IV and Queen Victoria who sold the Pavilion to the town.
The Pavilion
These days, its exotic Indian style domes and minarets mark a central feature of the city, whilst the gardens are a welcome quiet space away from the busy city.
The are a number of rooms to visit that include: the Grand Saloon, the Banqueting Room, the Music Room, the Saloon, the Royal Bedrooms and the Great Kitchen. Each room is as opulent and lavish as it is possible to imagine. For example, the Banqueting Room has a table set with a royal feast under an incredible chandelier and to the back drop of Chinoiserie – Chinese-inspired design.
The Saloon is resplendent in shimmering golds and reds while in the Music Room you’ll find silver dragons, chandeliers inspired by lotus plants and a gilded ceiling.
The kitchens are notable for their relative humility compared to the state rooms but even so, at the time, they must have been quite something.
Spend a day exploring
There is lots going on at the Pavilion whenever you visit, from a new exhibition or tour to talks and workshops. With a museum and theatre just across the garden, it is easy to lose yourself in this corner of Brighton for a day. Visit the Brighton and Hove Museum website for more information.
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