Royal Pavilion

About

George IV first came to Brighton in 1783 for the sea air. He liked it so much he built a palace! Brighton suited George who was a vain and extravagant man with a passion for fashion, the arts, architecture and good living. In 1815, George commissioned John Nash to begin the transformation from modest villa into the magnificent oriental palace that we see today. No expense was spared with minarets, domes and pinnacles on the exterior and inside with many rooms, galleries and corridors being decorated with opulent and exquisite furnishings.

In 1850 The town bought it from Queen Victoria for 53,000 pounds and it’s been open to the public ever since. The surrounding gardens are free and simply beautiful, full of people on their lunch break.

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Inside the Pavilion

Banqueting Room

The Banqueting Room sums up the splendour of the Royal Pavilion, and George’s appetite for a life of luxury. The decorative brilliance with its huge central chandelier,  provided the perfect setting for the grand dinners that took place there. The table is set for dessert, the most expensive course and features a porcelain dinner service dating from 1810, alongside ornate silver gilt centrepieces, dessert stands and fruit baskets.

Great Kitchen

The Great Kitchen was one of the first rooms to be completed during John Nash’s transformation of the Royal Pavilion. With its modern technology and unusual decorative touches, the ‘King’s Kitchen’ broke new ground in England, matching the highest French standards of food service and preparation.

Saloon

The Saloon was designed to take your breath away. Restored to reflect its original brilliance, it combines bold primary colours with the glow of gold and platinum. It is one of the oldest surviving parts of the Royal Pavilion and definitely the grandest room in the palace. Rich in vivid imageryi ncluding dragons, sunflowers and lotus leaves. Look out, too, for a gilded snake eating its own tail, an ancient symbol of immortality.

Music Room

Music was one of George’s passions and a key part of life at the Royal Pavilion. Here, Chinese-inspired decoration meets acoustic perfection under a glorious domed ceiling.

Royal Bedrooms

The Royal Bedrooms were designed for comfort rather than show. But fine craftsmanship and innovation are still evident, from hand-painted wallpaper and Chinese watercolours to a very modern pigment and some wonderful pieces of Regency furniture.

Indian Hospitality Gallery

In 1914, the Royal Pavilion was transformed into a hospital for the treatment of Indian soldiers wounded while fighting on the Western Front. A gallery on the first floor includes photographs, paintings, film footage and contemporary accounts, including quotes from letters written by some of the injured soldiers.

Royal Pavilion Shop

The shop contains a wide range of souvenirs inspired by the luxurious design of the Royal Pavilion.

Garden

The Garden is a key part of the Royal Pavilion Estate. It’s also a wildlife haven and a much-loved meeting place in the heart of Brighton. With gently winding paths and irregular groupings of trees, shrubs and flowers blurred the boundaries of the estate, creating an illusion of space and a series of changing views and sightlines.

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Opening Times

• April – September, 9.30am – 5.45pm (last admission 5pm)
• October – March, 10am – 5.15pm (last admission 4.30pm

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Ticket Price Guide

• Standard tickets are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
• Royal Pavilion Annual Pass
• This includes free return visits for a whole year from the date of issue.
• Adult £19.50
• Child (age 5-18): £11.75
• Family passes
• 1 adult with up to 4 children: £31.25 | 2 adults with up to 4 children: £50.75
• Brighton & Hove residents
• BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN41 postcodes) and up 4 children: £14.75
• Resident young person (13-18) £8.00
• Students at University of Brighton, University of Sussex and Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (Proof required) and up to 4 children: £14.75
• Carers Free

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Accessibility

Access to the Royal Pavilion is ground floor only. There is a designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements available within the main public areas. Audio description and an assistive listening system are available.  Guide dogs are permitted and parking areas for disabled visitors are available on request.

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Venue details