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The Royal Pavilion - Brighton

In a flat valley which runs through the centre of Brighton stands a building which has an International reputation and quite rightly so. The Royal Pavilion is a unique building which has to be seen to be believed, from its Indian inspired exterior, to the opulence of the Chinese interior, it is a breathtaking tour to delight not only the architects amongst us but also the casual visitor.

 

The Prince of Wales wished to establish a base outside of London and settled on a modest house between the Castle Inn and Grove House, which was leased for him in October 1786. It was known as Brighton House, a double-fronted, timber framed structure with angled bays, two up, two down. Being somewhat in debt to the tune of quarter of a million pounds and driven to such poverty by his frowning father and an 'ungenerous Parliament', the Prince for a while lived in relative modesty. For a brief period the Prince gained in reputation for being able to live simply in rustic modesty, but this was not to last and enlisted the services of Henry Holland. A scheme of enlargement proceeded and in May 1787, Holland was summoned to Brighton and began work on what was to be known as the Marine Pavilion.

 

At the end of three months, the 'respectable farmhouse' was transformed into a villa of Palladian Dignity, linked to a duplicate of itself by a striking domed rotunda, half encircled by Ionic columns, and surmounted by classical statues in Coade stone. From 1802 the Chinese influence of the interior decorations began which was carried out by the firm of John Crace. The eventual Indian character of the exterior did not emerge until 1817 brought about by John Nash and his visions of oriental splendor.

The dome over the Saloon with its curious flying buttresses supporting the chimney stack. One of the circular turrets is a staircase.	Northern end of the West Front, in which the King's Apartment opens into a logia .	The porte-cochère or the main entrance to the Pavilion is situated on the western side.

 

Some photographs of the interior and exterior;

The Stable Building from the exterior

The Stable Building from the interior

The Entrance Hall

The ceiling of the Red Drawing Room

View of the Great Kitchen

The Saloon looking through to the North Drawing Room

Detail from a Lacquer panel from the double doors of the Saloon

View of the North Drawing Room

 

Royal Pavilion

Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1EE
Tel 01273 290900 Fax: 01273 292871
On the main London Road, centre of Brighton ,100 yards from sea. Parking in multi-storey or voucher ticket. Brighton is on England's south coast about 50 miles from London.

Opening Times:

October to May, 10am-5pm
June to September, 10am-6pm
Closed 25 26 December

Admission Prices: - 2002

 

Adults £5.20 Children £3.20 Conc. £3.75

E-mail: visitor.services@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Website:www.royalpavilion.brighton.co.uk