Royal Pavilion — Attraction in Great Britain

The Royal Pavilion, located in the vibrant seaside city of Brighton, is a stunning architectural marvel with a rich and colorful history. Originally built as a modest lodging house for the then Prince of Wales, George IV, the Pavilion underwent significant expansion and transformation over several decades, eventually becoming one of the most iconic examples of the Regency Era's fascination with exoticism and grandeur.

The building’s origins date back to the late 18th century when George, the Prince of Wales, chose Brighton as a retreat to escape the pressures of court life. At the time, Brighton was gaining popularity as a fashionable seaside resort, believed to have health benefits due to the salty sea air. In 1787, George commissioned architect Henry Holland to create a relatively simple farmhouse, but this would mark only the beginning of what would become an extravagant architectural project.

In the early 19th century, after ascending to the throne as George IV, the Prince’s tastes evolved, and he sought to indulge his penchant for lavishness and exotic styles. He employed the celebrated architect John Nash, who transformed the Pavilion into the grand palace we see today. Nash designed the Pavilion in an exotic Indo-Saracenic style, combining Mughal-inspired domes, minarets, and oriental interiors with intricate detailing. The exterior, with its striking white domes and spires, is truly unique for an English palace, and the lavish interiors are a blend of Indian, Chinese, and European influences, creating an otherworldly experience for visitors.

The Royal Pavilion is not just remarkable for its architecture but also for its interiors. Each room is lavishly decorated, reflecting George IV’s extravagant tastes. The Banqueting Room, for example, is adorned with intricate chandeliers, dragons, and rich red and gold hues, showcasing the fusion of Chinese and European styles. The Music Room, another standout, is opulently decorated with a large central dome, mirrors, and gold leaf accents, and was used for extravagant royal parties and concerts.

While exploring the Pavilion is a breathtaking experience, to truly appreciate its significance, it’s highly recommended to opt for the audio tour. The audio guide provides a wealth of information about the history, architecture, and fascinating anecdotes related to the Royal Pavilion. Visitors can learn about George IV’s personal tastes, his vision for the palace, and how it served as both a royal residence and a site for entertaining guests. The tour also sheds light on the building’s later history, including its use as a military hospital during World War I.

In conclusion, the Royal Pavilion is a must-visit for anyone interested in British history, art, and architecture. Its unique blend of styles, opulent interiors, and fascinating history make it one of the most intriguing and beautiful royal palaces in the UK. The audio tour enhances the experience, providing a deeper understanding of its...

The Royal Pavilion is an iconic landmark in Brighton. I always referred to it as the "Aladdin Palace" given the architecture from the outside with the domed turrets. The outside alone is visually impressive. In all the years I've lived in the UK and been to Brighton, I always admired this building from the outside and had never been inside until now.

I arranged a trip with a friend and we finally made it happen - 30th Aug 2025 to be precise.

Any expectations of what I "thought" the inside of the Pavilion would look like were shattered. From the entrance and first room, I was stunned to discovered the interior is actually very much oriental inspired and a mixture between renaissance palace décor. There is detail is every turn, corner and the ceilings adorned with ornate patterns and stunning chandeliers.

My favourite room was the one with the floral, flower petal style chandeliers, I've never seen anything like it. Elaborate, ornate, colourful and abstract. Truly a work of art!

Upstairs in the palace is more like an exhibition with information into restorations/type of masonry used to create the outside interior of the palace amongst other things.

Overall a great visit and must see when in Brighton. When we went it wasn't overcrowded so ample room to take in each room and take pictures.

Staff were friendly, knowledgeable and polite. There were toilets throughout the palace. Wear comfortable shoes as you will need to walk up stairs to go up a level and then back down.

I had a bit of trouble booking through the website on my PC but it worked on my phone. I did email and notify the palace of the issue and they got back...

During the First World War, the Pavilion, along with other sites in Brighton, was transformed into a military hospital. From December 1914 to January 1916, sick and wounded soldiers from the Indian Army were treated in the former palace. The Pavilion hospital also incorporated the adjacent Dome and Corn Exchange; these buildings had formerly been part of the large stable complex associated with the residence. The Pavilion hospital was set up with two operating theatres and over 720 beds. Over 2,300 men were treated at the hospital. Elaborate arrangements were made to cater for the patients' variety of religious and cultural needs. Nine different kitchens were set up in the grounds of the hospital, so that food could be cooked by the soldiers' fellow caste members and co-religionists. Muslims were given space on the eastern lawns to pray facing towards Mecca, while Sikhs were provided with a tented gurdwara in the grounds. The imperial government highlighted the Pavilion as showing that wounded countrymen of India were being well treated. With the official sanction of the state, a series of photographs were made to show the resplendent rooms converted into hospital wards. The soldiers were visited by Lord Kitchener in July 1915, and King George V in August of the same year, who presented several soldiers with military honours. The Indian hospital closed at the end of January 1916. Most of the Indian Army had been withdrawn from the Western Front and redeployed to the...