A virtual tour
Click on the photographs to open a large version in a new window. Click to follow through the gallery.
Extraordinary pleasure palace
Many of our website visitors have never had the opportunity to visit the Royal Pavilion because they either live abroad, or a long way away. Of course photographs of the exterior of this unique building are to be seen everywhere, in fact the Royal Pavilion is one of the most identifiable images around. But the sumptuous interior of this extraordinary and extravagant pleasure palace has to be seen to be believed. So for all of you who have not had the pleasure of visiting this treasure, this is a taster for you.
Have you visited the Royal Pavilion?
I am also aware that although the Royal Pavilion is visited every year by hundreds of thousands of people, from all over the world, there are so many people who live here in the city who have never been inside! If you are one of those people, maybe when you see these wonderful photographs, you will realise what you are missing. Even if you think that George IV’s exotic taste leaves a little to be desired, this is an important slice of Brighton history which is up for grabs. And for those of you who are not aware of it, there are generous concessions for Brighton and Hove residents. If you want to find out more about the Royal Pavilion, visit the website.
Comments about this page
I first visited The Pavilion with the school St. Bartholomews juniors in the 50s. We were shown a secret door in a bedroom where the Prince Regent could go to his girlfriends bedroom. Does anybody else know about it? I don’t think I dreamed it! I’ve been a couple of times since but, no one has ever mentioned it again.
I went to the Pavilion in the 60s, but it seemed even more exotic than these photos, probably due to the sheer size of some of the rooms, and you can’t beat being in a place for atmosphere. I presume it’s been updated since? Personally I found Brighton Museum more interesting as an attraction due to its variety. ‘Prinny’s’ pad is to be taken in small doses!
Thank you for posting these pictures of the Royal Pavilion. So nice to see them and remember the many times I visited the Pavilion. I remember walking through the back way into Castle Square during the filming of “On a Clear Day” and seeing Yves Montand and Barbara Streisand walking out of the door in costume. That was around 1970 I think when I worked for Ray Horney at Pavilion Finance, Rayfords.
Early in the second world war the old wine cellars of the Pavilion were used as air raid shelters, we used to go to them in the early evening and then left at about 5.30am in the morning. The first time my family and I used them was actually on the day war broke out. You went down the steps at the north end of the building to get access.
I visited the Royal Pavilion in the early 60s. I had a sort of nothing-important-to-do day. I usually visited the museum on days like this, but I decided to have a look into the Pavilion. The most fascinating part of my tour were the kitchens with all the beautiful copperware on display. I spent some time perusing the many pots and pans, jelly moulds and all the other bits and bobs that made up the royal cookhouse. The fireplace must have been sweltering hot in the summer. I can imagine some of the sumptuous joints of meat that were roasted on that fire, and I thought of the poor people of that time having probably just some meagre meal for all the family. I also remember the rat on the floor of the kitchen, my Jack Russells would have loved to play chase with him, not fair really as he would not have gotten very far.
Great to read these comments, especially as I work for the Royal Pavilion and Museums. Anne – there are a few hidden jib doors in the Pavilion. One is in the King’s Apartments, which led up to the apartment of George’s last mistress, Lady Conyngham. Ken – we have a photo of one of the Pavilion air raid shelters online, dating from September 1939: http://bit.ly/V1g5QI
Kevin, thanks for link to photo. When we used the shelters they had put bunk beds against the walls, two each side the length of the room. They were simply made from wood with chicken wire on which to put your bedding.
Thanks Kevin and Ken. I also work for the Pavilion and I remember my nan talking about the bunk beds in the air raid shelter beneath the Pavilion. I’m sure she has a photo somewhere that was taken of her and her sister sitting on top of one of the beds which was taken for a local paper at the time. It would be good to root it out, if she still has it I’ll let Kevin know he may want to add it to the digital archive.
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