The Royal Pavilion has a colourful history stretching back over 200 years. Built as the seaside pleasure palace for King George IV, it has also served as a civic building, First World War hospital, and has become a true icon of Brighton.

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photograph of the Music Room showing the central chandelier and fireplace

Short History of the Pavilion

Tales from the Pavilion Archive
3D model of the Royal Pavilion Estate as it appeared in 1832. Colin Jones.

3D History
Painting from the Fine Art collection. "King George IV, Standing In Garter Robes" by Thomas Lawrence. The King stands in garter robes looking to the spectator's left, left hand on hip, right hand on a round table on which are a crown, a seal and documents. Behind is a canopy, pillars, foliage and sky. Above the entablature top left is a small arch. c.1830.

Who was George IV?
Queen Victoria in green dress and bonnet holding a riding crop standing in opening framed by curtains, a column to her right decorated with a garland and 'VR' in centre at the base. To her right a small tablecovered with patterned material and bowl of flowers. Behind her a man holding a grey horse. The Royal Pavilion in the background. Group of men on horseback behind a hedge. Lithograph by Day and haghe. Published 1838 by JW Laird 1, Leadenhall St

William IV and Queen Victoria
Entrance vestibule of Royal Pavilion, c1910

People’s Palace
Photo of Royal Pavilion Indian Hospital, 1915. Sepia print showing ambulance parked outside of entrance.

WW1 and the Royal Pavilion
Exterior of the Stables from Nash's Views , today the stables are Brighton Dome

Architecture
The Royal Pavilion estate plan from Nash's Views

Regency Garden and Stables
Photograph of the Yellow Bow Room (North), furnished with a satinwood bed. The red vase and flower chintz draperies were reconstructed using an original James Arrowsmith design of c1819

Regency colour
Photograph of the exterior of the Royal Pavilion showing a detail of one of the domes and stone balls, shown against a blue sky

Conservation and Restoration

Past Exhibitions

Past Events