When I told friends that I’m going to Brighton, the first thing I heard was: The Royal Pavilion. Of course the Royal Pavilion was high on my list of things to see in Brighton. It is such an icon that it must be visited. I saw the Pavilion in TV documentaries, but I didn’t imagine it would be so amazing seeing it for real. It is so worth visiting it.
I wasn’t able to take pictures inside, besides the tea rooms, so I share my pictures from outside and I’ve included in my post a couple of pictures from Instagram, from their account. Photography is not permitted as some of the items on display are on loan from other museums and, of course, from the Royal Family.
The Royal Pavilion’s history started over 200 years ago. It was built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV. After Queen Victoria sold it, the Pavilion was a civic building and a First World War hospital.
From the gift shop I bought a book about the Pavilion, so I have some pictures from it. The decorations and the size of the Pavilion makes it extraordinary.
I picked two pictures from Instagram to show on the blog. Check @brighton_museums for more pictures from the Royal Pavilion and their other museums.
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There are a few pagodas in one of the rooms. These were made in China if I remember correctly, and imported to the UK.
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This is my second choice, a few highlights. The picture doesn’t show the scale of the decorations and how impressive is when you enter one of these rooms. On the ceiling, in the Banqueting Room, leaves were painted and a few leaves, similar to the ones painted were installed just underneath. Initially it wasn’t obvious that there were there, but I noticed them after listening to the audio guide.
The Pavilion is impressive because it has a different flow than one would expect. Visitors go through the Long Hall, which is highly decorated, but with a relatively low ceiling, before entering the Banqueting Room. That must be the most breathtaking room in the building.
Next is the Kitchen, which again is highly decorated. King George had dinner there once and he was so proud of his kitchen. He used to take his guests there, to show them how magnificent the kitchen is. I imagine the staff was so proud of working there and be appreciated by their employer.
We stopped at the tea rooms.
The Banoffee cheesecake was amazing. The banana flavour was very intense. I loved it. During the summer months it must be hard to get a place in the tea rooms, as they were quite busy when we visited earlier this month.
There are more things to see in the Pavilion, the King’s Apartments, Queen Victoria’s Apartments and Galleries with incredible decor.
We went to see the Pavilion at night time too.
If you visit, make sure you get one of those books about the Pavilion. I spent less than £7 on mine and I can’t wait to read it. It has a lot of pictures and details about the items on display and the history of the house.
The Royal Pavilion is on 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE. They don’t have a car park, as the Pavilion is in the city centre. The entry fee is £13.50 for adults. Brighton & Hove Residents have a discount and the entrance is free for Art Fund members. Annual membership is available as well. They offer an audio guide for £2 and it is worth taking it.
I adored it when I went here! I am glad you enjoyed it!
It is a great tourist attraction, and a fascinating historical building. I’ve visited it several times, last time about two years ago, when we took our younger son to Brighton. The kitchen was impressive. It’s definitely a must if someone visits Brighton.
Wow — this is gorgeous — a real wedding cake of a structure and so lovely! I might have to add Brighton to the England 2020 list! Thanks for this — I’d heard more about it than seeing anything. The visuals seal the deal!
This is another place I’ve not visited, but would like to someday. It looks lovely! It’s stunning both night and day.