The Over the Top Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion is also sometimes called the Brighton Pavilion by accident event thought that is not its proper name. That is because it is located in Brighton. It is the very epitome of what U.K. people call “over the top.”

This is one of the most ornate residences in all of Brighton England. It was built in three stages. The first phase was built in 1787 and is an amazing example of the Indo-Saracenic style that was popular at the time. For The Prince of Wales who latre became King George IV this residence was a place to game, enjoy parties and court his many ladies.  The other benefit of this ornate palace is that it was located next to the sea and the sea air was thought to be good for his gout.

The 1787 building has a huge central rotunda fitted out in neoclassical decor with large neoclassical paintings. The outside dome has tiney oval blue windows that look like a series of evil eyes protecting the building.  Large stone Chinese lanterns also decorate the exterior.  It was extended again between 1815 an 1822 by designer John Nash who gave the exterior building its Indian appearance.  It is mainly known for it’s many unusual round domes that make it seem like it would be better suited as a castle in the Far East. The interior also has many Persian design elegant and was designed by Frederic Crane.  In 1801 it was enlarged again with a new dining room and a conservatory and stables for sixty horses.

Queen Victoria did not like the big palace and it fell into a bit of disrepair during her reign. She abandoned it as a summer home and in 1845 the Brighton Commission bought it so that it could be preserved. In 1860 the Royal stables were converted to a concert hall that is still used today as the Brighton Dome.  The town used the building as assembly room. During both world wars the place was used as an Army Hospital.

Nowadays King George IV and queen Elizabeth II have restored much of the Pavilion thanks to efforts. Both have taken extensive programmes of restoring the rooms and creating replcias of the original fittings and furniture. It has not been used as a royal residence since the 1800s and it is now mainly known as a tourist attraction.