The Royal Pavillion

This destination is for all the people who binged Bridgerton over the holidays. I didn’t love it, it started off strong but became extremely problematic later, but if you loved it the aesthetic and you’re looking for the real stories of the aristocracy of that period you’ll want to have a visit to the Royal Pavillion.

Construction started in 1781 but the palace came into its full glory around the 1820s as a seaside getaway for King George and Queen Charlotte. I’ve seen a few royal getaways and homes, but none of them quite compare to this place. The palace was designed to be ‘Asian’ inspired, as takes influences from all of Asia including China, Japan, India, and also from the Arabian Peninsula. Just keep in mind that it is built from the perspective of a Westerner, most if not all of those who participated in the construction and planning had never seen Asia. The influence came from Chinoiseries, the porcelain vases, plates, and bowls decorated with idyllic scenes of Asian life. They were very popular in England during this period.

When you first walk in the aura is one of cool calm. In fact I’ve decorated my bedroom in a muted style of this first jade room. The extravagance becomes more and more apparent the more you move through the palace, beginning with the dinning room and culminating in the music room. At one point the construction and maintenance of the palace, along with the spending habits of the King, bankrupted the nation. When you walk into the dinning room, it’s easy to see why.

You aren’t allowed to take pictures inside the palace, but honestly it doesn’t matter because no pictures I could take would ever do it justice. Even the photography books and post cards on sale in the gift shop don’t fully capture the grandeur of the palace. Look around, enjoy it, soak it in while you can.

If you are visiting Brighton after Covid this palace is well worth the £25 you’ll spend on it. The audio tour is a must, as is the cafe upstairs which sells simple meals, delicious cakes and tea. If you’re going to get high tea get it here! If the prices seem a bit steep to you just remember that this is the only royal palace in England which isn’t owned by the monarchy anymore. The people of Brighton voted to save it after it had been abandoned for years and now the money you pay to visit helps to support its maintenance.

After you’re done visiting the palace head on down to Brighton Pier for more adventures, or head up to The Stalls for some amazing shopping! The sea can bring in a breeze, so bring a light sweater, sunscreen, and a waterproof jacket just in case. You can walk pretty much everywhere in Brighton but there is a significant hill down to the water from the train station so bring good shoes, and as always, bring a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated!