Regency Bling at its best
The Royal Pavilion with its flamboyant architecture, is one of the highlights of a trip to Brighton.
It is a testament to George IV’s Regency dream. Brighton was developing rapidly as fashionable seaside resort and the patronage of the Prince of Wales (as he then was) really put Brighton on the map. The population was growing rapidly and work on the Royal Pavilion provided work for local tradesmen, labourers and craftsmen. The presence of the royal court as well as George’s guests and members of society was a source of income for local merchants and the service industries, although unfortunately they were often slow to be paid...
Many of the handsome seafront squares and crescents that still stand today are the result of the arrival of George IV and the fashionable Regency era.
The Royal Pavilioin is an impressive building and almost impossible to photograph. It is completely different with its domes, cupolas and minarets and looks as if it should be on the Indian subcontinent not Brighton. I hadn’t expected all the different pastel colours. Photographs give the impression the Pavilion is white. It isn’t. The outside was rendered and then painted and lined out in imitation of stone. It has always been painted in varying colours.
Unfortunately there was a very large marquee on the grass in front, so I never managed the classic shot of the main dome.
The Prince Regent employed the most talented architects, artists and craftsmen. Not only was the Pavilion a statement of his standing and status, it was also the ultimate in comfort and convenience. A tower pumped well water to a large tank which then pumped water to all parts of the Pavilion. Rooms had luxurious wall to wall carpets planned for each room. As well as open fires, rooms had underfloor heating from a hot air stove and flues in the basement. No detail was too insignificant. It is still as impressive today as when it was first built.
This is somewhere I’ve been wanting to visit for years and there is always the fear it may not live up to expectation. That wasn’t the case here. It is a magnificent building both outside and even more so inside. The public display rooms are stunning. They were intended to impress and still do. Although many of the contents were removed by Queen Victoria, some have been returned by Queen Elizabeth, giving an impression of just how grand it must have been.
The Royal Pavilion is surrounded by gardens that have been restored to their Regency splendour.
These are entered by a splendid gateway off Church Street.
The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and the Dome Theatre are in what was the stables.
The grounds are free to enter, but there is a charge for both the museum and the Royal Pavilion. Keep hold of your ticket as it allows free admission for the next twelve months.
The tour of the Royal Pavilion includes the most important public rooms on the ground floor.
The first floor is less interesting with Queen Victoria’s private apartments and the Yellow Bow Rooms which were used which were used by George. IV’s brothers. Some of the smaller rooms contain exhibitions about the Royal Pavilion, its restoration and history.
Allow plenty of time for a visit. It can get busy, particularly in the mornings when groups visit.
Website
The Royal Pavilion with its flamboyant architecture, is one of the highlights of a trip to Brighton.
It is a testament to George IV’s Regency dream. Brighton was developing rapidly as fashionable seaside resort and the patronage of the Prince of Wales (as he then was) really put Brighton on the map. The population was growing rapidly and work on the Royal Pavilion provided work for local tradesmen, labourers and craftsmen. The presence of the royal court as well as George’s guests and members of society was a source of income for local merchants and the service industries, although unfortunately they were often slow to be paid...
Many of the handsome seafront squares and crescents that still stand today are the result of the arrival of George IV and the fashionable Regency era.
The Royal Pavilioin is an impressive building and almost impossible to photograph. It is completely different with its domes, cupolas and minarets and looks as if it should be on the Indian subcontinent not Brighton. I hadn’t expected all the different pastel colours. Photographs give the impression the Pavilion is white. It isn’t. The outside was rendered and then painted and lined out in imitation of stone. It has always been painted in varying colours.
Unfortunately there was a very large marquee on the grass in front, so I never managed the classic shot of the main dome.
The Prince Regent employed the most talented architects, artists and craftsmen. Not only was the Pavilion a statement of his standing and status, it was also the ultimate in comfort and convenience. A tower pumped well water to a large tank which then pumped water to all parts of the Pavilion. Rooms had luxurious wall to wall carpets planned for each room. As well as open fires, rooms had underfloor heating from a hot air stove and flues in the basement. No detail was too insignificant. It is still as impressive today as when it was first built.
This is somewhere I’ve been wanting to visit for years and there is always the fear it may not live up to expectation. That wasn’t the case here. It is a magnificent building both outside and even more so inside. The public display rooms are stunning. They were intended to impress and still do. Although many of the contents were removed by Queen Victoria, some have been returned by Queen Elizabeth, giving an impression of just how grand it must have been.
The Royal Pavilion is surrounded by gardens that have been restored to their Regency splendour.
These are entered by a splendid gateway off Church Street.
The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and the Dome Theatre are in what was the stables.
The grounds are free to enter, but there is a charge for both the museum and the Royal Pavilion. Keep hold of your ticket as it allows free admission for the next twelve months.
The tour of the Royal Pavilion includes the most important public rooms on the ground floor.
The first floor is less interesting with Queen Victoria’s private apartments and the Yellow Bow Rooms which were used which were used by George. IV’s brothers. Some of the smaller rooms contain exhibitions about the Royal Pavilion, its restoration and history.
Allow plenty of time for a visit. It can get busy, particularly in the mornings when groups visit.
Website
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