Royal Pavilion Roof Appeal
We had a brilliant response to our appeal to raise £10k for a dome on the Pavilion that was at immediate risk of collapse. Thank you to all our supporters who took the time to donate and we will update you on our progress as we begin this critical work next week.
As we have now reached and gone beyond the initial target, we are extending the appeal to help restore a second area of the iconic roofline needing urgent repair work and conservation over the next 12 months.
Running costs for heritage venues are an ongoing concern for operators across the UK and beyond, especially with rising costs for electricity, supplies and repairs. It costs around £900,000 a year to look after the 200-year-old Royal Pavilion, without the addition of repairs, renovations and upgrading. Brighton & Hove Museums is a registered charity that relies on donations, grants and admission to operate its five heritage venues which include Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Preston Manor & Garden, Booth Museum of Natural History and Hove Museum of Creativity.
Donate now
Brighton & Hove Museums needs your support to help fund essential repairs to the Royal Pavilion. As a charity, we rely on donations to maintain our five historic properties. Help us reach our goal and be part of preserving our shared heritage for future generations.
Specialist repairs are needed to the copper Banqueting Room canopy and its windows which are failing causing water damage to the spectacular Banqueting Room Ceiling beneath, putting the breathtaking dragon chandelier at risk.
We have records dating back to the early 18thC that show that even at the time it was built its Nash’s complex roof design was problematic to maintain.
The Banqueting Room sums up the splendour of the Royal Pavilion, and George’s appetite for a life of luxury. The central chandelier hangs like a shimmering cut-glass fountain from a domed ceiling that’s painted to resemble an Eastern sky. Measuring an astonishing 9.1m in length and weighing almost a ton, it is embellished with six silvered dragons breathing ‘fire’ through lotus light shades.
Once the external repairs have been undertaken the Banqueting Room will need to be scaffolded so that water damage to the domed ceiling surrounding the dragon Chandelier can be repaired . The total costs of works inside and out are expected to amount to around £28K.
The most distinctive feature of the Pavilion’s exterior is its series of onion-shaped domes and tented canopies, reminiscent of Mughal architecture. These domes, particularly the central dome, draw inspiration from Indian palaces, giving the Pavilion an exotic and romantic appearance. The central dome is flanked by smaller domes, each meticulously decorated with intricate details that enhance the oriental aesthetic. The domes are constructed from a combination of wood and iron, cleverly painted and finished to resemble more traditional materials like stone or stucco.
Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums said
“We are overwhelmed by the amazing response following our initial dome repair appeal. We’ve smashed our target of £10k with the total reaching over £20k. We can’t thank our supporters enough for their generosity. It shows how much people love and care for the Royal Pavilion.
“The domes and canopies of the Royal Pavilion remain a striking and iconic example of early 19th-century British architecture. Our conservation team work tirelessly to keep on top of the huge amount of maintenance this 200-year-old building requires. As a charity, our reserves are limited, especially as we have spent the last few years in recovery following the pandemic. Ongoing financial support, no matter how small, allows us to not only preserve our magnificent venues, but fund the many education, community and cultural outreach programmes we deliver every year.”
Please donate now and be part of our history. Thank you.
