The Royal Pavilion, Brighton

What it is and why it matters

The Prince of Wales commissioned the Pavilion as a seaside retreat, and as Prince Regent and later King he had John Nash redesign and greatly extend it between 1815 and 1822. The Music Room and Banqueting Room, with their tented ceilings, are the showpieces. Queen Victoria stopped using it, and in 1850 the town of Brighton bought it for £53,000. From December 1914 to January 1916 it served as a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers of the Indian Army, with space for Muslim and Sikh soldiers to worship.

Visiting practicalities

The Pavilion stands in its own garden in central Brighton, within walking distance of the main shopping streets and the seafront. Opening hours change between summer and winter and it occasionally closes for private events, so check the official Brighton & Hove Museums website and book ahead. An official guided tour runs on Saturday afternoons, and the museum's site has detailed access information for visitors with mobility needs. Allow around one to two hours. Parts of the building are periodically under restoration, so some rooms may be closed or under scaffolding during your visit; the museum posts updates on its website.

Nearby and combine with

The Royal Pavilion Garden around the palace has been replanted in Regency style, and The Lanes and North Laine are a short walk away. The seafront and Brighton Palace Pier are a few minutes south.

Highlights

• Built 1787 to 1823 for George IV
• Remodelled by John Nash between 1815 and 1822
• Music Room and Banqueting Room with tented ceilings
• Hospital for Indian Army soldiers in the First World War

Good to know

• Opening hours differ between summer and winter; check before visiting.
• The Pavilion occasionally closes for private events.
• An official guided tour runs on Saturdays.

Frequently asked questions