Plan your visit
Opening times
April – September, 9.30am – 5.45pm (last admission 5pm)
October – March, 10am – 5.15pm (last admission 4.30pm)
Please note
The Royal Pavilion will be closed from 2.30pm on 24 December, and all day on 25 and 26 December, and 1 January.
Admission
You can purchase a ticket on the door or book in advance online.
Online bookings must be made at least one day before the day of your visit.
Our standard tickets are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Royal Pavilion Annual Pass
This includes free return visits for a whole year from the date of issue.
Adult: £19
Child (age 5-18): £11.50
Children are welcome at the Royal Pavilion, but those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a person aged over 16.
Family passes
1 adult with up to 4 children: £30.50
2 adults with up to 4 children: £49.50
Brighton & Hove residents
BN1, BN2, BN3 and BN41 postcodes) and up 4 children: £14.50
Students at University of Brighton, University of Sussex and Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (Proof required) and up to 4 children: £14.50
The Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust is a registered charity, dedicated to preserving its historic buildings and collections.
If you are a UK tax payer, we can claim an additional 25p from the Government for every £1 that you spend on admission tickets for yourself and your family. This additional contribution won't cost you a penny, but it will make a big difference to our work.
Thank you for your support.
Support us by joining the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust and you can visit us as often as you like, free of charge!
Membership benefits include a welcome tour of the Royal Pavilion, free entry for your children and grandchildren, exclusive events and discounts in our shops.
Find out more on our Membership page.
A trip to the Royal Pavilion makes a great day out and special rates are available for groups of 12 people or more.
Find out how to book and what's on offer on our Travel Trade and Groups page.
There is no charge for carers accompanying disabled visitors.
The Royal Pavilion will be closed on 25 and 26 December, and from 2.30pm on 24 December.
We will update this page if the palace will be closed for any other reason, such as emergency maintenance.
Our café, adjacent to the Royal Pavilion Shop, is currently closed for refurbishment and will reopen with a new identity soon.
How to get here
The Royal Pavilion is in the heart of Brighton, near The Lanes and the North Laine shopping areas and just five minutes' walk from the sea.
Local buses stop on Old Steine, just outside the Royal Pavilion, and in North Street, five minutes' walk away.
Visit the Brighton & Hove Buses website for more information about bus routes.
Brighton Railway Station is a 15-minute walk from the Royal Pavilion.
Services from London to Brighton take about an hour, with regular trains from Victoria and London Bridge. Other services come into the city from Gatwick airport, Ashford International Eurostar terminal, towns across Sussex, and destinations along the coast.
The Royal Pavilion is a five-minute walk from Pool Valley Coach Station, where National Express coaches arrive from London and from Gatwick and Heathrow airports.
For pre-booked groups arriving by coach, there is information about drop-off points and parking on our Travel Trade and Groups page.
Brighton & Hove is a great city for cycling! It's part of the National Cycle Network and the Royal Pavilion is on Cycle Route 2. You'll find bike racks in nearby New Road, Church Street and Pavilion Buildings. There are also hubs for the Brighton BikeShare scheme nearby.
We're located in the centre of Brighton (BN1 1FN) and have no onsite parking facilities.
There are designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders in several streets around the Royal Pavilion. For more information about these and other parking options for disabled visitors, please checkour Accessibility page.
For live information about car parks within walking distance of the Royal Pavilion, check Parkopedia.
If you'd prefer to park outside the city centre, there is a Park and Ride service.
Accessibility
The Royal Pavilion is an historic building, but we do our best to make it as accessible as possible.
Please tell us if you spot any problems or have tips for other visitors.
The Royal Pavilion is on level ground, close to the Lanes and North Laine and only 5 minutes’ walk from the sea.
The building has two floors. The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users, but access to the first floor is via a staircase only. Wheelchairs cannot be carried upstairs for use.
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, and wheelchairs are available to use on request.
Bicycles, electric scooters, mobility scooters and other large mobility vehicles (excluding motorised wheelchairs) are Prohibited.
On the ground floor there is an audio-visual room with a video presentation about all aspects of the Royal Pavilion. An audio guide is available with an onscreen transcript. The audio guide also includes a video tour of the first floor for visitors that are unable to use the stairs.
Tactile tours of the palace can be booked for groups of visually impaired visitors and sign language interpreted group tours can be booked for the hard of hearing.
Companions / carers accompanying a disabled visitor can enter free.
Visitor Services Officers are positioned around the building should you require any assistance and are happy to answer any queries.
The Royal Pavilion is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance scheme.
We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 03000 290900 or email info@rpmt.org.uk
You can plan your journey by car or public transport using www.traveline.info; simply enter your postcode and ours, which is BN1 1FN to get directions.
The nearest railway station is Brighton, which is a 15-20 minute walk. Taxis are available at the station. If you require an accessible taxi you can book this in advance.
See contact information section for details for taxi companies in Brighton & Hove.
The Possability People charity also provides helpful information on the various Wheelchair Accessible Taxis on the road to help you find the taxi that’s right for you. Contact them at www.possabilitypeople.org.uk or at Montague House, Montague Place Brighton BN2 1JE, or by phone on 01273 89 40 40 or by email at hello@possabilitypeople.org.uk
Buses stop at either North Street or the Old Steine. See contact information section for more details of bus services.
Access to the Royal Pavilion is through the garden via level paths.
Public toilets are situated in the garden, including an accessible toilet. Please note these toilets are currently closed.
Visitors using mobility scooters are asked to leave them at the front entrance or in Brighton Museum and transfer to one of our manual wheelchairs. If you do this, please bring along a companion to push the wheelchair or if you need a member of staff to assist you phone 03000 290900 or email info@rpmt.org.uk in advance to book someone to help.
If you have a powered wheelchair please note that some of the doorways in the building are narrow or have tight turns so you may not be able to access some areas.
For general parking information please see www.brighton-hove.gov.uk or contact Brighton & Hove City Council Parking Information Centre 01273 296622 or email: parking@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
The nearest car parks to the Royal Pavilion are:
- The Lanes Car Park
01273 294296
Multi-Storey 24 Hour
Black Lion Street Brighton BN1 1ND
355 total spaces, 30 disabled bays
trafficcontrolcentre@brighton-hove.gov.uk - NCP Brighton Theatre
0845 0507080
Multi storey 24Hr
Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1US
587 total spaces, 6 disabled bays
customer.service@ncp.co.uk - Carlton Hill Car Park
01273 296622
Surface pay and display 24 Hr
Kingswood Street, Brighton, BN2 9QG
52 spaces, 2 disabled bays
trafficcontrolcentre@brighton-hove.gov.uk - Marine Parade
Pay and Display 9am – 6pm (Mon-Sun)
Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL
16 spaces
trafficcontrolcentre@brighton-hove.gov.uk - Madeira Drive
Pay and Display 9am – 6pm (Mon-Sun)
Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1PS
363 spaces, 10 disabled bays
trafficcontrolcentre@brighton-hove.gov.uk - Churchill Square Shopping Centre
01273 749612
Multi Storey 24Hr
West Street, Brighton BN1 2FD
1600 spaces, 30 disabled bays
cservices@churchillsquare.com
- Church Street, BN1 1UF which is near St. Giles Language School, has 4 disabled bays and there is no time limit for these bays. There is also an NCP Car Park with Disabled Bays which is located on the ground floor these are not free.
- New Road, BN1 1UF has 3 bays and three hour limit.
- Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE has a set of bays and three hour time limit.
- In Brighton & Hove, providing the badge and time disc are displayed correctly, you can park in a disabled bay, a pay & display bay and a shared use bay but not in ‘resident permit only’ bays.
- Additionally Blue Badge holders with a clock are allowed to park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours provided they are not causing an obstruction and there are no loading restrictions.
- Visitors can be dropped off in Church Street near the William IV gate, or in North Street near the India gate entrance to the garden.
- The entrance to the Royal Pavilion is level and the main entrance double doors (1220mm or 4ft wide) are kept open during opening hours. There is a further set of double doors of the same width before entering the ticketing area.
Visitors using mobility scooters are asked to leave them at the front entrance or in Brighton Museum and transfer to one of our manual wheelchairs. If you do this, please bring along a companion to push the wheelchair or if you need a member of staff to assist you phone 03000 290900 or email info@rpmt.org.uk in advance to book someone to help.
If you have a powered wheelchair please note that some of the doorways in the building are narrow or have tight turns so you may not be able to access some areas.
- The Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust welcomes guide, assistance and support dogs across all of our sites
- Our staff are aware that not all assistance dogs will be wearing a tabard/harness when working or training
- Our staff are aware that not all assistance dogs will be or need to be registered with Assistance Dogs (UK) or the equivalent international scheme, therefore we do not ask to see any registration paperwork for you to bring your assistance dog onto any of our sites
- Water bowls are available for your dogs at all of our sites, please ask a member of staff.
- Other animals - Enquiries should be directed through the Booking Office and they will refer them on to the Director Of Engagement and Public Programmes for consideration.
- The main entrance and ticket area is situated on the ground floor with step free, level access throughout.
- There are some bench seats in this area.
- The entrance has coir matting and the ticketing area is carpeted.
- The ticketing area is well lit.
- There is a hearing loop installed at the counter.
- Wheelchair and Walker loans are available from this area on request.
- Pen and paper are available on request.
- Our mini-guides are available in large print on request.
- A transcript of the multi-media guide is available on request.
- A magnifying glass is available on request.
- Interpretation boards are placed around the building with text in clear font.
- At the end of the ground floor tour there is an audio visual room showing a video about all aspects of the building.
- Door opening sizes around the ground floor are generally either 100cm or 118cm, but there is a narrow doorway out of the Music Room 88cm wide with a tight turn, and another from the servant’s corridor into the Kings Apartments 70cm wide with a tight turn.
- Some seating is available around the building, but please ask the Visitor Services Officer on duty if you need help to locate a seat. A mobile walker with a seat is also available from the cashier’s desk which can be used around the ground floor.
- Floor surfaces are mostly carpeted, with tiled floors in the servant’s corridors, wood flooring in the Banqueting room and Saloon, and large flagstones in the Great Kitchen.
- Lighting is low in some areas for conservation reasons.
- There are stairs to the first floor of 19 + 12 steps with handrails to both sides and highlighted nosings on the steps.
- A public accessible toilet is located on the ground floor near the ticketing desk with a door opening 98cm 38.5″ wide.
- There is a clear space for a wheelchair on the right side of the toilet.
- The toilet height is 45cm 17.5″.
- There is a door bar to aid closure of the door on both sides and a flip over style ‘N & C’ door lock.
- There is an emergency alarm cord.
- Handrails are positioned on the left of the toilet in contrast to the wall.
- There is colour contrast with critical surfaces, tiles are navy blue and the toilet and washbasin are white.
- Flooring is non-slip.
- There are lever taps on the sink.
- A clinical waste bin is provided.
- A lowered mirror is available.
- There are further toilets in the basement accessed via 15 steps with highlighted nosings and a central handrail.
- On the first floor the toilets are accessed via 2 sets of 3 steps, and further toilets near the William IV function room.
- There is a shop with a wide range of gifts and books located on the ground floor at the end of the tour. It can also be entered direct from the street via a level entrance. The entrance door is 83cm wide, and is push pad operated from the inside.
- The shop is level throughout and has clear access to the exit, although there is limited space between display units in some areas.
- There are some tall display units and some lower units accessible from a wheelchair.
- Staff can offer assistance if required.
- The counter has a hearing loop installed.
- The Royal Pavilion is situated within the Royal Pavilion garden.
- There are wide tarmac paths through the garden with gradual inclines.
- The lawns are mostly flat, but there are some small inclines.
- Some benches are placed along the paths.
- All of the staff have undertaken disability awareness training.
- We have a set of evacuation procedures and should you require it someone will assist you with evacuation. We have evac. chairs to assist.
- All information brochures are produced in a minimum of 12 point font, and some are available in large print.
- Assistance dogs are welcome in the building.
- Clear signage is used throughout the building with a clear font of black lettering on a white background.
Address: The Royal Pavilion Brighton BN1 1FN
Telephone: 03000 290900
Email: info@rpmt.org.uk
Website: www.brightonmuseums.org.uk
Brighton Shopmobility Opening Times and Contact Details Registration forms, scooters and manual and powered wheelchairs are available from the Shopmobility centre at:
- Brighton Shopmobility Centre, Churchill Square Car Park 1, Level P3, Regency Road, Brighton
- Opening times: Monday-Fridays, 10am-4pm. Closed on weekends & Bank Holidays. (Opening times can sometimes vary so it’s best to ring ahead to check the centre will be open when you plan to visit.)
- Telephone: 01273 323239. It might be a good idea to contact the Scheme before visiting to find out directions as it can be quite difficult to find the office.
- Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs 01273 204060 admin@brightontaxis.com www.brightontaxis.com
- City cabs 01273 205205 Text 07528 964384 www.205205.com
- Brighton & Hove Streamline 01273 747474 operations@streamlinetaxis.org
- Hove Streamline Taxis 01273 202020 operations@streamlinetaxis.org
Buses have easy access for boarding and space for 1 wheelchair or any vehicle with a parking brake. Scooters are not permitted.
- The Brighton and Hove bus timetables are available on-line or in large print.
- Main bus stops have “real time” information screens for passengers, and most buses have visual and audible announcements of the next stop.
- Award winning Talking Bus Stops are also available in the city if you are blind or partially sighted. People using the scheme have a battery-operated key fob which alerts them when they are near a talking bus stop. Pressing the fob allows you to receive spoken information on which buses are coming and when they will arrive. For more information on this scheme please see www.journeyon.co.uk or contact the Access Point Team on 01273 29555 email accesspoint@brighton-hove.gov.uk
This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.
During your visit
Our audio guide tells the story of the Royal Pavilion and its creator, King George IV. Full of fascinating facts and background information, the audio tour leads visitors through the palace room by room.
The audio guide is available on an easy to use handset or can be accessed through your smartphone. If using your smartphone we recommend that you bring along headphones as this will ensure the best sound quality and will cause less distraction to other visitors.
The audio guide offers tours in the following languages:
- English
- Easy English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Mandarin
- Russian
In addition to the main tour of the royal palace, you can also follow one of our other tours,
- Children's tour
- The story of the Royal Pavilion’s use as a WW1 hospital
The audio guide handset is available to visitors for £3 for groups, £4 for individuals. Family Saver Deal: £12 for two adults and up to four children.
If you use your own smartphone, you can access our tours for £2.
You can download this in advance of your visit, or on arrival using your phones data connection or our free Wi-Fi at the entrance.
You can pick up a handset at the ticket desk or access the smartphone guide when you arrive by scanning a QR code or using this link.
We recommend using the QR code reader on your device’s camera to scan the code.
Our staff can help you use the audio guide, but please note that we cannot assist large groups with accessing our Wi-Fi.
You are welcome to take photographs for personal, non-commercial use during your visit, unless we have stated otherwise. Please do not use flash, tripods or selfie sticks.
Share your photos with us on social media!
Twitter: @brightonmuseums
Facebook: @royalpavilionandbrightonmuseums
Instagram: @brighton_museums
Professional filming and photography shoots must be booked in advance and supervised by our staff. For more information visit our professional filming and photography page.
We want you to have a great time at the Royal Pavilion and we take the safety and security of our visitors and staff very seriously.
Our highly trained staff work closely with Sussex Police, Counter Terrorism Security Advisors and other emergency services to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We have a CCTV system covering the Royal Pavilion Estate and a control room that is monitored 24/7. In addition to these visible security measures, we also have non-visible measures to further ensure everyone’s safety.
Our staff are always on hand to speak to if you see anything suspicious, they are here to help.
Please allow time for security checks when you arrive and note that it is a condition of entry that you consent to being searched.
Searches
- We search bags that are brought into the palace. When we do so, we'll ask you to place your bags and belongings on a table and take a step back. A security officer will then step forward and conduct a manual search.
- We may also conduct manual searches of visitors, either at the entrance or inside the Royal Pavilion. Avoiding face to face contact, we will use a hand-held metal detector to search for metallic items.
Prohibited items
- Bicycles, electric scooters, mobility scooters and other large mobility vehicles (excluding motorised wheelchairs)
- Fireworks, candles or naked flames
- Flags or large items that could accidentally damage our collections
- Food and drink (including chewing gum), spray paint and any other items that could stain or cause damage
- Suitcases, shopping trollies or wheeled items that could damage our carpets (excluding wheelchairs)
- All knives and weapons including, banned knives, as described in Government guidelines.
*and firearms, including CS gas canisters and pepper sprays
The 'use at work' defence cannot be used in relation to any bladed items carried by our visitors. However, bladed items carried as part of a national/traditional costume, such as a Scottish dirk or sgain-dubh, an English seax or a Sikh kirpan, may be permitted at the discretion of the Duty Manager. Please contact us in advance if you plan to bring one of these items on your visit.
Each situation will be considered on its own merit. We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who we believe poses a threat to our visitors or staff.