A Garden Fit for a King
The Royal Pavilion Garden is a Grade II listed garden. Designed for George IV, it’s one of the only Regency gardens in the world, considered a garden of national significance and one of the most loved areas of our city.
We know residents and visitors alike enjoy the green haven in the centre of our busy city and love the plants, flowers and wildlife which keep the garden looking vibrant and colourful in all seasons.
The popularity of the garden has sadly brought some problems to this historic site. Over the years, the infrastructure and the many flower beds in the garden have been damaged. Overuse has led to problems with litter and vandalism. Antisocial behaviour, particularly at night, has led to safety concerns for residents, visitors and staff. We’re extremely worried it is recorded as one of the highest crime zones in Sussex. It has been placed on the Heritage England ‘At Risk Register’ for concerns about high levels of visitor use, erosion of character and a deterioration of the sense of history in the garden
We’ve received funding from Brighton & Hove City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to explore how we improve the garden to restore it to its original Regency glory and to keep it a safe environment for everyone.
Alongside this we hope to increase learning opportunities, improve access and develop ways in which visitors can discover its history. Three priority audiences – people with disabilities, children and young people, and people with mental health issues – have been identified to help us transform the way we engage with visitors to the garden and to improve wellbeing.
This work will take place over the next 6 – 8 months during which we will consult with garden visitors, tourists, families as well as people who never visit the garden. We want to know what you love about the garden and what improvements you’d like to see.
We will then submit our findings to the NLHF in the hope we will be given grant funding to carry out necessary improvements. We will also need help from supporters like you and we have launched a fund-raising campaign to raise money for the work.
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Make your mark on Brighton's heritage by supporting our Royal Pavilion Garden appeal.
In the Autumn, we’ll be holding a community day to enable us to talk to garden visitors and tourists as well as other interested parties. We’ll be organising some fun activities for the family too.
Keep an eye on these pages as we update you on our consultation plans and lots of history, fascinating facts about the garden and an insight into the unique planting schemes designed for George IV by John Nash in 1820.
The project is part of a wider plan developed by BHCC to enhance the Royal Pavilion Estate as a key cultural destination. Phase One of this plan is already underway and includes the refurbishment of the Grade I listed Corn Exchange and Grade II listed Studio Theatre. The garden restoration is Phase Two of these plans.
We can’t take on a project like this without a lot of expertise and experience. We’re happy to be working with these partners to bring our vision for a restored Royal Pavilion Garden closer.
