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Royal Pavilion

A brief history 1783-1851

The Prince of Wales, later George IV, first visited Brighton in 1783. Three years later, he took out a 21 year lease on a large farmhouse on the Steine with a sea view.

The architect Henry Holland was employed to enlarge and convert the farmhouse at a cost of £22,000. The Prince commissioned a French style interior and gradually, as his finances permitted, bought the surrounding land.

Between 1815 and 1822 John Nash created the Indian-style exterior and Chinese interior of today's Pavilion. In 1850, Queen Victoria sold the Pavilion to Brighton's municipal authority - she had not shared George IV's taste for Brighton! From 1851 the rate-paying public were admitted free on two days a month.

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments about this page

I have been living in Brighton for six months, and the Royal Pavilion is the most beautiful attraction in this city.

By Lucy (29/12/2006)

Royal Pavilion isn't only a site, it's a reference for Brignton. Come to Brighton and don't see it, is the same as going to Rome and not seeing the Pope.

By Luiz De Souza (20/09/2009)

As a descendant of the architect John Nash I love Brighton and especially the Pavilion which he designed. Brighton is a lively and welcoming place - and the Pavilion is one of its 'must-sees'.

By Mark Perry-Nash (23/11/2009)

As the g-g-g-granddaughter of John Bruce whose engraving of the Pavilion is mentioned above, I am very proud that my ancestor contributed in such an important way to visually record the Brighton of his day for posterity.

By Lesley Burke Vassiliou (14/06/2011)