Brighton Royal Pavilion History Preston Manor Stanmer House East Sussex UK

Brighton Royal Pavilion

No visit to Brighton is complete without a tour of the spectacular Royal Pavilion. Originally the site of a farmhouse, it was Henry Holland in 1787 who first extended the farmhouse transforming it with neo-classical architecture and calling it 'Marine Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion's most famous architect however is John Nash who worked on it from 1815 to 1823, completely transforming it into the Indo-Chinese influenced structure we see today. The Royal Pavilion, essentially a work of genius by John Nash, is one of the most beautiful examples of the picturesque Regency style set as it is exquisitely in landscape. The Royal Pavilion Brighton is a treasure for another reason. It was the Pavilion which was to influence the style of seaside architecture. The seaside resort began its rise during the Regency period and spa town Brighton under the patronage of George IV grew spectacularly after 1750. Nash's oriental Pavilion domes and style was a key influence in the seaside architecture which followed throught the Victorian and Edwardian periods including the many ornate Piers, Pavilions and Aquariums around Britain's seaside resorts.

Nash's work proved a little impractical in places. Ten years after his changes to the Pavilion leaks and dry rot were appearing. It all proved too much as a conservation project for Queen Victoria who sold it to the people of Brighton in the mid 19th century. (using much of the money to construct Osborne House on the Isle of Wight). Conservation and renovation work has been going on ever since despite numerous setbacks brought on by fires and the 1987 storm.

The Pavilion's hey day is most certainly associated with George IV who was renowned for his love of fashion and lavish architecture. Alongside the Royal Pavilion, other ornate buildings forming part of George IV's architectural legacy include Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. The Pavilion is lavishly ornate both inside and out and stands as one of John Nash's masterpieces. Inside a tour includes the spectacular Music Room, Banquet Room, Royal Bedrooms and other rooms including the Great Kitchen. See photography and details via the Royal Pavilion's weblink right.

Royal Pavilion Brighton, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE. Tel. 01273 290900. Open daily from October to March 10am to 5.15pm (last entrance 4.30pm). From April to September 9.30am to 5.45pm (last tickets 5pm). The ground floor containing the State Rooms, Drawing Rooms, Great Kitchen, the King's Apartments and the gift shop is accessible to wheelchairs. The Royal Pavilion hosts a selection of events throughout the year often featuring topics pertaining to the Regency Period for example the Jane Austen Weekend.

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John Nash, Regency Brighton and Hove & Seaside Architecture

When you think of the Regency period and architecture in England, Jane Austen and Bath immediately come to mind. However, it is Brighton alongside Cheltenham which contain some of the most striking examples of Regency architecture in England. Brighton's famous Kemp Town Royal Crescent (1798-1807) was the first terrace Crescent to face the sea, and despite numerous escapes from destruction, Brighton's Royal Pavilion stands today as a work of genius by John Nash who worked on it between 1815 and 1823. The Royal Pavilion Brighton caught the eye of the famous caricaturist of the day George Cruikshank who depicted it on a giant teapot in an illustration accompanied by the verse, "The queerest of all the queer sights I've set sight on - is, the what d'ye-call-t thing, here, The Folly at Brighton The outside - huge teapots.... The inside - all tea-things, and dragons, and bells". Little did Cruikshank realise that the Royal Pavilion was the birth of a seaside architectural style that would be replicated in the piers and pavilions across Britain for years to come!

The Royal Pavilion's Picturesque Regency style is skillfully set in landscape by John Nash. Here Nash excelled, other examples include his laying out of Regents Park and Buckingham Palace in London, and the Royal Pavilion is a landmark Regency building signifying the change of architecture towards ostentation. The Regency period of 1790 to 1840 is one of Britain's most elegant architectural periods, and Brighton and Hove's long list of Regency historic buildings is one of the richest in the country. Nash's London work was a key influence for the Brighton architects C.A.Busby and the Wilds, a father and son team who created the elegant Sussex Square and Lewes Crescent in Kemptown.

Alongside Brighton's famous Royal Pavilion and Royal Crescent, other Regency architectural highlights are at Kemp Town and the great Busby creations between 1823-50 such as Sussex Square, Lewes Crescent, Arundel Terrace and Chichester Terrace. West of the city centre on the Hove border you'll find the magnificent Regency architecture of Brunswick Town including Brunswick Square, Place and Terrace as well as Lansdowne Place and Square. By the 1820s Brighton's population growth rate was expanding at a faster rate than any other British town and it was from the 1820s that numerous Regency Squares and Terrace building projects really began to pick up speed (see John Walton's 'The English Seaside Resort. A Social History 1750-1915) Leicester Uni Press, 1983 for more details).

Famous Regency architects featuring in Brighton alongside Nash include Amon Henry Wilds and you'll find his creations dating from between 1825-9 at Oriental Place and Terrace, Sillwood Place, Western Terrace, Hanover Crescent, Park Crescent and the 1843-7 Montpelier Crescent. Don't miss too D. Burton's Adelaide Crescent dating from 1830-4 and you'll find work by Charles Barry in Brighton including St Peter, Victoria Gardens and St Andrews on Waterloo Road Hove. For more information on Regency Brighton see Brighton and Hove's Regency Society webguide right as well as the Brighton Architecture Guide and Regency Town House Tours based in the Brunswick area of Hove.

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Queen's Park & Stanmer Park Brighton

Well worth a visit, and within easy walking distance of Brighton Pier and Seafront, Queen's Park was formally known as Brighton Park. First opened in 1892, this was Brighton's main city park and Victorian pleasure garden. Today the lake within Queen's Park is a big attraction with good tarmac path access for duck feeding. Crowning glory is the new fountain plus also on-site find a wildlife garden, scented garden, tennis courts and a cafe.

Further north of Brighton city centre near the University of Sussex sits the mammoth landscaped Grade II listed Stanmer Park. A hidden village and historic Stanmer House (Grade I listed and dating from 1720) sit within the park which is perfect for woodland and farm walks. Stanmer Tearooms and a nursery are also within the grounds and the nursery has an on-site shop.

Stanmer House & Stanmer Park, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 9QA. Tel. 01273 680400.

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Preston Manor & Park

Carry on north of Brighton Station (following signs for the A23) and you'll arrive at Brighton's oldest and largest park - Preston Park. Much work has been afoot here recently including restoration of the walled garden, the stunning rose garden and a selection of fine trees. Note too the historic clock tower and Rotunda, now a cafe alongside the Tile House.

The park was purchased in 1883 from William Bennett-Stanford, owner of the Preston Manor Estate. The old manor house within Preston Park is one of Brighton's many fascinating historic buildings. This house dates from 1600 but was worked on both in 1738 and considerably in 1905. The house feels Edwardian and is acclaimed as a superb example of Edwardian taste and furnishings.

Tour inside to view servants' quarters, kitchens, the butler's pantry and around twenty plus rooms.

Preston Manor, Preston Drove, Brighton, BN1 6SD. Tel. 01273 292770. Open 1 April to 30 September, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm. Closed Mondays and during the winter season. See also historic Stanmer House and park (weblink right), a popular venue for weddings, conferences and events.

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