Brighton Royal Pavilion, England, United Kingdom

The Royal Pavilion is one of the most unusual royal residences in the United Kingdom. It stands in the centre of Brighton and was built from 1787 as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, the future King George IV. Between 1815 and 1822 the architect John Nash gave it its present form, with an Indian-inspired exterior and richly decorated Chinese-style interiors that make it completely different from traditional British palaces.

The exterior is famous for its onion domes, minarets and detailed decoration that recall Mughal architecture. Inside, visitors walk through royal rooms filled with chandeliers, dragons, gilding, carved furniture and painted walls, designed mainly by Frederick Crace and Robert Jones. Highlights are the Banqueting Room, the Music Room and the Saloon, all restored to show the extravagant taste of the Regency court. In 1850 the palace was sold to the town of Brighton, and the city still owns it.

Visitor Information

During the First World War the Pavilion served as a military hospital: from December 1914 to January 1916 it treated wounded soldiers of the Indian Army, and later British soldiers who had lost limbs. Displays inside tell this story alongside the royal history. Around the palace lies the Royal Pavilion Garden, restored to its Regency design and free to enter.

In 2026 an adult ticket costs £21.50 and a child ticket (5–18) £13; booking online saves 5%, and the ticket is valid for return visits for one year. The Pavilion is open from 9:30 to 17:45 between April and September (last admission 17:00) and from 10:00 to 17:15 from October to March (last admission 16:30). It is closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January and closes at 14:30 on 24 December. Book ahead for weekends and summer holidays, when it is one of the busiest sights in Brighton.

The palace is a 15-minute walk from Brighton railway station and a few minutes from the seafront and Brighton Palace Pier. Direct trains from London Victoria and London Bridge take about an hour. Cafés, museums and the shopping streets of The Lanes and North Laine are close by, which makes the Pavilion a good starting point for a day in the city.