Royal Pavilion facts for kids
For the King's Pavilion of the Louvre Palace in Paris, see Pavillon du Roi.
"Brighton Pavilion" redirects here. For the electoral division, see Brighton Pavilion (UK Parliament constituency).
Quick facts for kids Royal Pavilion |
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View of the Royal Pavilion
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| General information | |
| Type | Palace |
| Architectural style | Indo-Saracenic Revival |
| Town or city | Brighton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 50°49′23″N 0°08′15″W / 50.82306°N 0.13750°W |
| Construction started | 1787 |
| Completed | 1823 |
| Owner | Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Nash |
The Royal Pavilion, also known as the Brighton Pavilion, is a famous former royal home in Brighton, England. It is a very important building, listed as Grade I. It was built in three steps starting in 1787. It was meant to be a special seaside getaway for George, Prince of Wales. He later became Prince Regent in 1811 and then King George IV in 1820.
The building looks like it came from India, with its unique domes and towers. This style is called Indo-Saracenic. The architect John Nash made the Pavilion look how it does today. He started making it bigger in 1815. King William IV and Queen Victoria also used the Pavilion. But Queen Victoria decided she preferred Osborne House as her royal seaside home. So, the Pavilion was sold to the city of Brighton in 1850.
Contents
History of the Royal Pavilion
How the Pavilion Started
George, Prince of Wales, first visited Brighton in 1783 when he was 21. Brighton was a popular seaside town back then. George enjoyed the fun lifestyle there, just like his uncle, Prince Henry. Doctors also told the Prince that the sea air and water would help his health.
In 1786, the Prince rented a small farmhouse in Brighton. It was a quiet place away from the busy royal court in London. In 1787, he asked Henry Holland to make the building bigger. It became part of the 'Marine Pavilion'. This new part had a central rotunda with three main rooms. These rooms were decorated in a French-influenced style.
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Around 1801, the Pavilion got even bigger. A new dining room and a conservatory were added. The Prince also bought land around the house. On this land, a large riding school and stables were built between 1803 and 1808. These stables were designed in an Indian style and could hold 60 horses.
John Nash's Design
Between 1815 and 1822, John Nash completely changed the Pavilion. His design is what we see today. The palace stands out in Brighton because of its unique Indo-Islamic look.
The inside of the Pavilion is also very special. It was designed by Frederick Crace and Robert Jones. They were inspired by Chinese and Indian styles. This mix of styles was very popular during the Regency period. It showed a love for exotic and unusual designs.
The Pavilion Becomes Public
Queen Victoria's Decision
After George IV died in 1830, King William IV continued to visit the Pavilion. However, Queen Victoria did not like Brighton as much. She felt there was not enough privacy at the Pavilion. Brighton also became very popular with many people after the railway opened in 1841. This made it even more crowded.
The Pavilion also felt too small for Queen Victoria's growing family. She famously said that the people in Brighton were "very indiscreet and troublesome". She bought a new estate on the Isle of Wight called Osborne House. This became the royal family's summer home.
Brighton Buys the Pavilion
After Queen Victoria's last visit in 1845, the government decided to sell the Pavilion. But the people of Brighton wanted to keep it. So, in 1850, the city of Brighton bought the Pavilion and its grounds for £53,000. This was done under a special law called the Brighton Improvement (Purchase of the Royal Pavilion and Grounds) Act 1850. The money from the sale helped pay for furnishing Osborne House.
In 1860, the royal stables next to the Pavilion were turned into a concert hall. This building is now known as the Brighton Dome. Many of the Pavilion's original items were taken out when it was sold. Most of these items went to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
Later, in the 1860s, Queen Victoria sent many unused items back to Brighton. King George V and Queen Mary also returned more furnishings after the First World War. Since the Second World War, Brighton has worked hard to make the Pavilion look like it did during King George IV's time. Queen Elizabeth II also helped by lending over 100 pieces of furniture.
In 2020, a new charity called the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust took over managing the Royal Pavilion.
The Pavilion During World War I
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During the First World War, the Royal Pavilion became a military hospital. From December 1914 to January 1916, it treated sick and wounded soldiers from the Indian Army. Many brave Indian soldiers, including those who won the Victoria Cross, were treated here. The hospital also used the nearby Dome and Corn Exchange buildings.
The Pavilion hospital had two operating rooms and over 720 beds. More than 2,300 Indian Army men were treated there. Special care was taken to meet the soldiers' different religious and cultural needs. Nine different kitchens were set up so that food could be cooked by people from the soldiers' own groups. Muslim soldiers had a place to pray facing Mecca, and Sikh soldiers had a special tented gurdwara.
The government wanted to show that wounded soldiers from British India were being treated well. Photos were taken to show the beautiful rooms turned into hospital wards. Important people like Lord Kitchener and King George V visited the soldiers.
The hospital for Indian soldiers closed in January 1916. This was because most of the British Indian Army moved from the Western Front to the Middle East.
The Pavilion reopened as a hospital in April 1916. This time, it treated British soldiers who had lost arms and legs. The hospital focused on helping these men recover physically and learn new skills. The Pavilion hospital stayed open until the summer of 1920. After that, the building was given back to Brighton.
In 1921, a new gateway in an Indian style was opened. It was a gift from the Maharaja of Patiala to remember the Pavilion's role in helping Indian soldiers during the war.
Visiting the Royal Pavilion
When Brighton bought the Royal Pavilion from Queen Victoria, it became a place for everyone to visit. It changed from a private home to a public attraction. Today, about 400,000 people visit the Royal Pavilion every year. You can take photos and videos inside the Pavilion. Many of the items you see inside are on loan, especially from HM The King.
Weddings at the Pavilion
The Royal Pavilion is also a popular place for weddings. On March 29, 2014, it was one of the first places in the United Kingdom to host legal same-sex marriages. This happened after the 2013 Same Sex Couples Act was passed.
Royal Pavilion Garden
The Royal Pavilion Garden is part of the Pavilion's grounds. It has many different plants and has been restored to look like it did in John Nash's time. It is thought to be the only fully restored Regency garden in the UK. The garden team, along with volunteers, takes care of the garden using only natural methods.
The garden is often used by street performers, especially in the summer. There is also a café in the garden where you can get a snack.
The garden is a very important historical site. In 2017, Historic England said the garden was "at risk" because of things like fences, litter bins, and signs that spoiled its original look. Brighton and Hove City Council asked the public for their ideas on the garden's future. There had been many reports of crime and anti-social behavior in the gardens. This led to discussions about possibly fencing off the gardens and closing them at night.
Image gallery
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Pavilion Gardens with Pavilion in the background
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Domes
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Royal Pavilion Brighton and reflective pool
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Rooftop
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Brighton and Hove
- In Spanish: Royal Pavilion para niños
