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Brighton And The Royal Pavilion
Brighton And The Royal Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion Brighton is the architectural expression of the fashion for sea bathing which began in the eighteenth century. Bathing in the sea had long been an improper practice. Since Roman times it had become associated with wild behaviour, and was frowned upon. But in the eighteenth century medical practitioners began an enthusiasm for cold salt water bathing. Sir John Floyer was perhaps the earliest of these influences. He wrote in his History of Cold Bathing of 1722: "since we live on an island, and have the sea about us, we cannot want an excellent cold bath." (Quoted by Pimlott, The Englishman's Holiday P 56) The earliest sea bathing resort was Scarborough where sea bathing began in the 1730s. At about the same time a regular bathing session was started at Brightlingstone, as Brighton was then known. In 1752 Dr Richard Russell published an influential work on the supposed benefits of sea bathing, and favoured Brighton. This recommendation, combined with Brighton's closeness to London meant that Brighton developed as the premier sea bathing resort. Royal patronage was also important in confirming the reputation of a resort, and Brighton was favoured by the Prince Regent, later George the Fourth. The Royal Pavilion, designed by John Nash, was built between 1815 and 1823 for George the Fourth. It was an escapist fantasy for a king whose influence was mainly limited to the show he put on. It was also an expression of the escapism which people sought to find on the holidays that sea bathing visits were developing into. At the Royal Pavilion visitors could leave the ordinary world they usually inhabited and go somewhere more exotic, without leaving England. Today Disney parks perform a similar function. The Royal Pavilion Brighton is perhaps the original escapist holiday fantasy.
Read more on our History of Holidays page
The Palace has been maintained in its original opulent style, the interiors as spectacular as its Indian inspired exterior.
Opening Times: are from October to March 10am to 5:15pm, last admission 4:30pm. From April to September 9:30am to 5:45pm, last admission 5pm. The Royal Pavilion is closed from 2:30pm December 24th and closed 25th - 26th December.
Directions: The Royal Pavilion is in the centre of Brighton just off the A259. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on the Royal Pavlion.
Access: the ground floor is fully accessible to visitors in wheelchairs, but the first floor can only be reached via stairs. Tactile tours can be booked. Sign language tours are also available.
Contact:
telephone: +44 (0) 1273 290900
e-mail: visitor.services@brighton-hove.gov.uk